When Tony planted his trees more than a decade ago, he said long-needled pines were in vogue. Scotch pines were the annual best-sellers.

Favor has shifted, however, to short-needled varieties. This year, balsam firs are the popular variety. Tony also said he’s had a lot of people ask specifically for untrimmed trees, because they like a more natural look.

Amber Szczepanski, her husband and brother moved to Mankato from North Dakota in August. She remembers having a real Christmas tree a long time ago, but she’s never cut one down herself.

This year, she’ll have a gigantic Canaan fir.

“I was able to talk ’em into it,” Szczepanski said, barely concealing a note of triumph.

The Kluis family, of New Ulm, settled on a robust balsam after a family-wide search effort. Kevin Kluis said his family had to factor in room size and ceiling height when making their choice, but the final decision was more subjective.

“You have to look for balance,” said the New Ulm elementary teacher. “You have to find the tree that talks to you.”