Christmas Tree Types: Which Real Tree Should You Choose?

Fir, spruce or pine: the quick way to tell

• Firs have flat, soft needles with blunt tips and two light stripes underneath. They are the most fragrant and hold their needles longest (Rutgers Cooperative Extension).
• Spruces have stiff, sharp needles that are square in cross-section, so they roll between your fingers. Their branches are firm, but they drop needles faster once they dry out (UW–Madison Extension).
• Pines have long needles in bundles of two to five. They are soft (white pine) or stiff (Scotch pine), and their scent varies a lot by species.

Fir needles are so soft that UW–Madison Extension recommends them for homes with small children and pets (UW–Madison Extension).

Firs

Fraser fir. Dark green, ½ to 1 inch needles with silvery undersides, a pleasing scent, excellent needle retention and branches strong enough for heavy ornaments. It is native to the high Appalachians of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia (NC State Extension) and is also grown in the Great Lakes states and the Northeast (Real Christmas Tree Board).

Balsam fir. Short, flat, dark green needles and one of the strongest scents of any Christmas tree. It is grown in the Northeast, the upper Great Lakes, Pennsylvania and Canada (Illinois Extension, Real Christmas Tree Board).

Canaan fir. A close relative of balsam and Fraser with short, soft needles and a pleasant scent. UW–Madison counts it among the firs with the best needle retention and stiff branches for heavier ornaments. It is grown in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and the Great Lakes states (UW–Madison Extension).

Concolor (white) fir. Soft, blue-green to powder-blue needles that smell faintly of citrus when crushed, with good needle retention and branches that hold ornaments well. It grows slowly, taking 10 to 15 years to reach sale size (NC State Extension).

Douglas fir. Not a true fir, but one of the most widely grown Christmas trees in the country, especially in the Pacific Northwest. Soft, 1 to 1½ inch needles and a sweet scent, though its branches may struggle with the heaviest ornaments (Penn State Extension).

Noble fir. Short, blue-green needles, some of the best needle retention of any species and short, stiff branches that carry heavy ornaments. It is a Pacific Northwest tree (Real Christmas Tree Board).

Nordmann fir. Glossy, dark green needles, excellent needle retention and sturdy branches, but almost no fragrance, which some people with sensitive noses prefer (Real Christmas Tree Board).

Grand fir. Long, shiny needles in flat rows with a citrus scent when crushed. It is best put up within about two weeks of Christmas, since its needle retention is shorter than noble or Fraser fir (Real Christmas Tree Board).

Pines

White pine. Very soft, flexible needles 2½ to 5 inches long in bundles of five, with little scent, which can make it a good choice for people bothered by stronger-smelling trees. Its branches are best for lighter ornaments (NC State Extension).

Scotch pine. Stiff, dark green needles about an inch long that stay on even when the tree dries, a scent that lasts all season and stiff branches for heavy ornaments. It is common in the Midwest and Great Lakes (Illinois Extension).

Virginia pine. Twisted needles in pairs, stout branches and a rich pine scent. It is a Southern favorite and the most popular choose-and-cut tree in eastern North Carolina (NC State Extension).

Spruces

Blue spruce. Striking silver-blue color and stiff branches for heavy ornaments, but very sharp needles. Penn State does not recommend it for homes with small children, and it drops needles quickly if it ever dries out (Penn State Extension).

Norway spruce. Shiny, dark green needles and a classic shape. Needle retention is poor unless the tree is cut fresh and kept watered, which makes it a better choice at a choose-and-cut farm than on a lot (NC State Extension).

White spruce. Short, stiff needles with good retention for a spruce, but the needles smell unpleasant when crushed (Illinois Extension).

Cypress and cedar

Leyland cypress. Feathery, dark green to gray foliage with almost no scent, grown across the South. It dries quickly after cutting, so it is mostly sold at choose-and-cut farms, and Illinois Extension notes it can suit people who are allergic to other trees (Illinois Extension).

Eastern red cedar. Prickly, scale-like foliage with a good scent. It dries quickly and may last only two to three weeks indoors (Illinois Extension).

Which tree is right for you?

• Best scent: balsam fir, Fraser fir, Canaan fir
• Longest-lasting needles: Fraser, noble, Nordmann and Canaan fir
• Heaviest ornaments: noble fir, Fraser fir, Scotch pine, blue spruce
• Softest needles for kids and pets: firs and white pine
• Little or no scent: Nordmann fir, white pine, Leyland cypress

Every farm page on U-Pick Spots lists which trees that farm grows, and the city pages let you filter by tree type.