Here’s Why We Rated Balsam Fir the Best Overall Tree for Your Home This Christmas (2023)

The balsam fir is that all-around, classic Christmas tree. "It has a strong, 'spicy' Christmas tree scent and its conical form and dark green color make it what most people identify with as a Christmas tree," Radin says. "It also has excellent needle retention! Its soft green leaves are a favorite for wreaths." And when it comes to smell, the Farmer's Almanac says this is the most fragrant of the Christmas tree varieties.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the grand fir reaches as high as 300 feet, making it one of the tallest firs. "It is easily distinguished from other Pacific Northwest firs by its sprays of lustrous needles in two distinct rows," they note. They have a grayish brown bark and will fill your entire room with its warm and earthy fragrance.

Described as being heat and drought tolerant, the Arizona Cypress tree is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It grows 40 to 50 feet long in height and extends in a pyramidal shape that makes it beautiful to use as Christmas trees or landscape ornaments.

Leyland cypress trees are fast-growing, lush and great to use as fences. Deck them in vibrant holiday-themed decor and watch them grow up to 40 to 60 feet tall. The dark green and gray evergreen is popular in the South East and is sap-free — perfect for anyone who may be allergic.

"While not a true fir, Douglas can be found on every tree farm," says A.D. Ali, Ph.D., Manager of Technical Services at the Davey Institute of The Davey Tree Expert Co. "With dark green or blue-green colored needles that are soft to the touch and a sweet scent, Douglas firs hold strong as a favorite." The National Christmas Tree Association agrees, noting the Douglas Fir is one of the most popular Christmas trees in the United States because of their perfect pyramid shape. Also, since they radiate needles in all directions, Douglas Firs tend to be nice and full. But that fullness comes with a price: "This tree will drop its needles if it doesn’t get enough water," Dr. Ali warns.

The Fraser fir is for those who like to load up their trees with decorations. "The needles are soft to the touch, but at the same time, its branches are stiff and will hold up well to ornaments," Radin says. "It has a nice evergreen scent and needle retention is excellent." And there's tradition associated with it, too: Dr. Ali adds that this is the type of tree most often used at the White House.

Those looking for something a little different might be drawn to the color of the Colorado blue spruce, which comes with a wintry, blue/silver hue. But if you have toddlers at home, this probably isn't the best choice. "Blue spruce have stiff branches with sharp needles so watch out!" Radin says. "It's best to wear long sleeves when handling and decorating. If you have nosy pets, this may be a good choice as the irritation from the needles will usually keep them away." According to the Farmer's Almanac, it has good needle retention, too.

Canaan Firs are often described as being very similar to the Balsam Fir, Michigan State University Extension reports, but with the added needle retention of the Fraser Fir. "It is a relative 'new kid on the block' in comparison to other Christmas tree species," Radin says. "It has a dense pyramidal shape like Fraser and balsam fir, and its needles tend to curve upward."

The National Christmas Tree Association says these are great for ornaments because they have short, stiff needles. "They have excellent foliage color and have a good, natural shape," Dr. Ali says. Just don't buy it for the smell, he adds. "The needles are bluish-green, but they have an unpleasant aroma when crushed."

Also called the Concolor Fir, this tree has been gaining in popularity. "It has a pleasant blue/green silvery color and the needles when crushed have a pleasant citrus aroma," Radin says. "It also has excellent needle retention."

This Norway Spruce example was so quintessentially Christmas, it adorned Rockefeller Center in 2020. "Norway spruce is desirable for its weeping, pendulous form as a Christmas tree," Radin says. "But needle retention is not very good unless the trees are cut fresh and kept watered."

According to ProFlowers.com, the Scots Pine (or Scotch Pine) is known for its darker green/blueish green color, which makes a statement in a living room. "Scots trees have a long-lasting aroma," Dr. Ali says. "And you don’t have to worry about losing needles if they're kept well-watered."

These are best if you're going for a natural look and want the tree to be the focus in and of itself. According to The National Christmas Tree Association, they're not great for ornaments and have little aroma, but the soft, flexible needles sure are pretty. "The white have almost no fragrance, making it a favorite for those who have sensitive noses," Dr. Ali says.

With needles that jet straight upward, Eastern Red Cedars are particularly dense and green. Fun fact: Despite its name, it's not actually a cedar tree — it's really a part of the juniper family.

While it's not anyone's first choice of Christmas tree, the Korean fir has been popping up more and more because of its shape and color. "It has dark green needles with striking silvery undersides," Michigan State University Extension reports. "The form and unique texture add to this species’ appeal."

You can't find these everywhere — they're mostly found in the western part of the United States and Canada. But if you're in that region and want something unique, you can try the corkbark fir, which is a variety of the subalpine fir. "Subalpine fir makes a beautiful Christmas tree with a compact, pyramidal form and bluish needles," Michigan State University Extension says, noting it's a tree for "connoisseurs" (an idea we love). "Corkbark fir is slower growing and more compact than subalpine fir and has even bluer needles."