The Best Evergreen Christmas Trees

Here’s how four trees stack up for multiple purposes during our holiday celebrations. The best evergreen Christmas trees are already our favorites.

Spruce, pine, or fir? That is the Christmastime question. Every year, those who are loyal to an authentic evergreen Christmas tree debate the merits of which type of tree to bring into their home. And the truth is, there’s no one right answer. Every variety has its pros and cons, so the evergreen that will best suit your needs will really depend on your priorities.

Is your prerogative a grand, full tree with lots of room to hang lots of jolly lights and garlands? Or perhaps you need a strong Christmas tree to support a trove of heavy, vintage ornaments. On the contrary, maybe it’s just not Christmas in your household without that evergreen aroma wafting through the decked halls. Or are you an eager decorator in need of a tree that will last from November first through Epiphany?

No matter how your preferences rank, we’ve got you covered. We’ve rated four of the most popular evergreens—Fraser fir, Douglas fir, white pine, and Colorado blue spruce—on their fullness, strength, fragrance, and longevity. Our ranking is a scale of one to four, with four being the best performance. Here’s how these favorite evergreens measure up.

Fraser Fir

• Fullness: 3 

• Strength: 4 

• Fragrance: 4

• Longevity: 4 

This Southern native, which grows naturally only in the Appalachians, is a fave for a reason. With tidy branches and short, sturdy needles that stay put longer than most, it can handle large ornaments and transports well. Not only that, but the structure of this tree holds up so well, it is considered one of the best to ship to a location. North Carolina produces the majority of Fraser fir Christmas trees. It requires from seven to ten years in the field to produce a 6-7 foot tree.

Douglas Fir

• Fullness: 3

• Strength: 2 

• Fragrance: 4

• Longevity: 4

Like other firs, this West Coast kind features an attractive blue-green color and excellent foliage retention. Slightly longer needles boost its fullness, but avoid hanging heavier ornaments on its more delicate branches. The needles are approximately 1 to 1 ½ in. in length. Douglas-fir needles radiate in all directions from the branch. When crushed, these needles have a sweet fragrance. They are one of the top major Christmas tree species in the U.S.

White Pine

• Fullness: 4

• Strength: 2 

• Fragrance: 1

• Longevity: 4

This classic Christmas tree is widely beloved for its long and shaggy needles that make for an especially plush display. But if a nice scent is what you are looking for, pines tend to pale in comparison to firs. The largest pine in the U.S., the white pine has soft, flexible needles and is bluish-green in color. Needles are 2½ – 5 inches long. White pines have good needle retention, but have little aroma. They are not recommended for heavy ornaments. We can see this as a full presentation, laced with ribbons and delicate lights.

Colorado Blue Spruce

• Fullness: 3

• Strength: 3 

• Fragrance: 2

• Longevity: 3

A popular non-traditional tree for its attractive icy blue hue, this Rocky Mountain species has a symmetrical form, stiff branches, and a piney scent (though resin from damaged branches can cause it to smell sour). This tree retains needles well, and the notorious scent makes it a favorite. The forest feels so close with this species in your home. One more thing about those fragrant, beautifully bluish needles: They are sharp!

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