Holidays & Occasions The Best Evergreens For Christmas Trees Here’s how four popular evergreens stack up. By Cameron Beall Cameron Beall Cameron Beall is a writer, marketer, photographer, and creative with over a year of experience with Southern Living in the realm of homes and home building. She was infatuated by home design from a young age, credit to her mother and grandmother. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on November 16, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRIE WILLIAMS; STYLING BY G. BLAKE SAMS 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 out of four, with four being the best performance. Here’s how these favorite evergreens measure up. Fraser Fir Getty Fullness: 3 Strength: 4 Fragrance: 4Longevity: 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 Douglas Fir Hector Manuel Sanchez Fullness: 3Strength: 2 Fragrance: 4Longevity: 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. White Pine Getty Fullness: 4Strength: 2 Fragrance: 1Longevity: 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. Colorado Blue Spruce Getty Fullness: 3Strength: 3 Fragrance: 2Longevity: 3 A popular nontraditional 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). Heed the sharp needles! Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit