13 Popular Christmas Tree Types

Cutting a fresh tree or picking the perfect Christmas tree from your local lot is a cherished tradition for many families. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, nearly 30 million real Christmas trees are sold each year. Trees vary in color, scent and shape. And some — such as the Fraser fir, pictured — are better for supporting heavy ornaments than other tree types. See our list of popular types of Christmas trees for the features that make them shine brightest. And remember, real Christmas trees are completely biodegradable and can be recycled into high-quality mulch. Note: While our list includes popular Christmas trees, availability can be limited by growing conditions and the costs of transporting trees for sale to areas where they are not grown.

Fraser firs, which are native to southern Appalachia, have dark, blue-green needles with silver undersides. The needles tend to turn upward, making the whole tree appear compact. The branches are sturdy and hold up well when decorated with heavy ornaments.

"The Fraser firs are the Cadillacs of Christmas trees," says Bluebird Christmas Tree Farm owner Leo Collins. Fraser firs are loved for their pleasant scent and are a solid choice for a Christmas tree as they hold their needles long after the holidays have passed.

A popular variety in the Southeast, the Leyland cypress features soft, vibrant green branches. They have a great pyramid shape and hold their needles long after the holidays have passed. Those sensitive to the fragrance of Christmas trees will rejoice: the Leyland cypress does not produce a strong aroma. The soft, flat branches make the tree easy to handle; however, avoid hanging heavy ornaments at the tips.

"Tree choices really come down to the individual's preferences," says Tim O'Connor, executive director for the National Christmas Tree Association. "There isn’t one that is better than the other. Some tree characteristics do make them better for a particular use, such as, if one has a lot of heavy ornaments, a tree with strong branches is better suited than one that has very flexible ones."

Looking for a blue Christmas? The Colorado blue spruce has branches full of stunning silvery-blue needles and forms a perfect pyramid shape. The branches hold ornaments well, but the needles are sharp, so gloves and long sleeves are recommended when putting the tree in your stand. Colorado blue spruce is a popular choice for Christmas trees or ornamentals, particularly in the eastern US.

Found in the Northeast, the balsam fir has a cone shape with short but dense branches, dark green needles and a pleasing aroma.

One of the most popular Christmas tree varieties in the South, the Virginia pine is a fast-growing conifer with dense, green foliage. Despite the height, Virginia pines have a narrow trunk, making them easy to fit into tree stands.

Virginia pines produce short, stiff pairs of twisted needles. Though its branches will hold heavy ornaments, avoid hanging them near the tips.

White fir, also known as concolor fir, is a long-living tree with small needles and a light green color. This native to the western US has great needle retention, a bright scent and a round, pyramid shape. This one could be hard to find, even in the western US.

Arizona cypress produces masses of small, gray to silver foliage on thin branches. It is native to the Southwest but is available and grown in many southern states across the country.

Arizona cypresses are favored for their wintry color and fragrance that is similar to sage. Try outfitting your Arizona cypress with white lights for a radiant glow.

White spruce, found in the northeastern US and throughout Canada, has strong branches that are perfect for hanging heavy ornaments. The short, blue-green needles are stiff, but not sharp; avoid crushing them as they have an unpleasant odor. Wait to cut or buy white spruce until later in the season — it has trouble holding its needles.

White pines are bushy, full trees with long, light-colored needles. If kept watered properly, they last a long time. The white pine's soft, feathery needles make for easy decorating, but the delicate branches won't hold heavy ornaments well. White pine offers little to no fragrance and, according to the University of Illinois, leads to fewer allergic reactions compared to more fragrant trees.

Noble fir, also called red fir, is a popular Christmas tree variety that grows natively in the mountains of the West Coast. The noble fir produces even layers of blue-green needles. The branches are strong and can handle lots of heavy ornaments. Noble fir boughs are good for making wreaths and garlands.

A traditional Christmas tree type from Oregon, the Douglas fir is a full-bodied, dark green tree with soft, fine needles and a lovely pine scent. It has a classic Christmas tree shape. The branches are not as stiff as other Christmas tree types, so go with lighter ornaments.

The Scotch pine is one of the most common Christmas trees in the United States. Scotch pine is loved for its dark green color and longevity. Scotch pine needles will stay on the tree even when the tree is dry, and the open arrangement of its branches offers plenty of room for ornaments.