What is the difference between a spruce and a fir?

[Doryhunky]

I am seeing two main ones advertised near me. Nordman spruce and Norway spruce. I normally get one which is very bushy and the branches go up but I would like to get those ones where they have fewer branches and a more classic shape. Lovely smell is a bonus. Which one is which???

The fir have thicker needles if that makes sense, makes them look abit bustier, the spruce have thinner branches and finer needles but they can still be nice and full as well. Spruces remind me more if what our Christmas tree was like when I was a kid (early 90's) I think firs have become more popular in recent years

The Norway spruce type can look very nice, lots of branches, and are often nice and bushy, also cheaper, BUT they do shed needles much more easily.
Definitely not the type to choose if you want to put a tree up early. It’s a must to saw a bit off the bottom of the trunk of these, and keep very well watered.

the nordman fir is usually marketed as "non needle drop" as it sheds needles more slowly than other varieties. The Norway Spruce is in my opinion, as said above, more similar to the christmas trees of myyout, and has a better smell. see here for comparisons www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk/different-types-of-real-christmas-tree.html

Nordmans don't have the classic Christmas tree smell, Norway Spruces do. There are other varieties that don't she'd as much as Norway Spruces but do have the smell.