The life of a Christmas tree, from seed to star of holiday decorations

Set among a row of neatly manicured lush evergreens, an eight-foot-tall Fraser fir with the thick coat of needles stands like a handsome sentry in the midst of a green crowd. Plants sold for $145 at Bru-Mar Gardens nursery in Annapolis, Md., is a real beauty: It resembles a cone, with long, sturdy branches at the base that gently taper higher along the trunk. The needles are thick enough to hide behind. On top of it, a single inclined arm is a suitable star for an angel or a luminous star. If all goes according to plan, a family will bring the tree home and embellish it with lights, decorations, and tinsel.