it is a fresh balsam: didn't go up until christmas eve, and it's still not dropping needles. i love the scent--but since 12th night has come and gone, i'll have to take it down this weekend. am going to save needles to make a balsam pillow from. this will be our last "real" tree--hubby bought a "toilet brush tree" on sale at fleet farm after christmas, this year, so that balsam pillow will be a nice remembrance.