25 Popular Christmas Tree Types You Should Grow in Your Yard

Most big box home improvement stores carry cut live Christmas trees during the holidays, and small tree farms offer specimens you cut yourself to take home. Most stores and farms carry a variety of two or three tree types, with most of them being firs or spruces. 

The most popular Christmas trees are Fraser, Douglas, and Noble firs. They account for most cut tree sales during the holiday season. They perform well in warm, indoor rooms for a month or longer, and they have horizontal branches that hold decorations well. 

Douglas Fir

	botanical name Pseudotsuga menziesii
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 40-80’
	hardiness zones 4-6

Douglas firs aren’t true firs! They’re a member of a separate genus Pseudotsuga, although they resemble firs in the genus Abies. These evergreen conifers are one of the most important timber species for North America, and they grow throughout the Pacific Northwest. This is where they tend to thrive.

In cultivation, this tree will top out under 80 feet tall, but in its native range, it can reach over 300 feet tall! Grant your garden specimen plenty of space widthwise and lengthwise so it can extend its branches tall and wide. It appreciates a sunny location with well-drained soil. Although it prefers growing in hardiness zones 4 through 6, it tolerates moist, cool climates in zones 7 and 8.

Some unique specimens exist for the curious gardener. Try ‘Graceful Grace’ for a weeping cultivar, or ‘Idaho Gem’ for a miniature variety that grows well in a container.

Grand Fir

	botanical name Abies grandis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 130-230’
	hardiness zones 4-6

Grand fir is just that—grand! This species is often sold as a young, cut tree during the holiday season. It’ll reach towering heights outdoors of over 230 feet. Use it in areas that require a large tree, or plant it as part of re-naturalizing initiatives in its native range. The tree grows wild throughout California and the Pacific Northwest.

Grand fir trees prefer moist, cool conditions year-round. They’ll struggle in warm climates, although they’re drought tolerant during summer. Give them well-drained soil, full sun or partial shade, and regular moisture during the growing season. After establishing themselves, grand firs need little extra water in their native range.

This species has deep and wide-spreading roots that penetrate the ground. Give a single specimen plenty of space to grow tall and wide, or consider growing a small cultivar like ‘Compacta.’ 

Noble Fir

	botanical name Abies procera
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 50-100’
	hardiness zones 5-6

A noble fir grows with a stately stature, which is why it has “noble” in its name. Mature specimens in their native range may reach 230 feet tall! Outside the range in zones 5 through 6, the trees stay between 50 and 100 feet tall, making them ideal for large spaces requiring an evergreen species.

Noble firs are one of the many cut conifers available during the holidays. Grow one yourself and chop it down when it’s young for a homegrown Christmas tree. Outdoors, young specimens are pyramidal and gorgeous, although they quickly turn into giant trees after a few years. Ensure they have ample space to spread far and wide.

If your noble fir struggles to survive in valley or plains-like environments, consider growing a different conifer. These firs prefer high elevations—they need moist but well-draining soil throughout the year to thrive at lower elevations. 

White Fir

	botanical name Abies concolor
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 30-70’
	hardiness zones 3-7

This fir is more adaptable than the previous three. You won’t often find it available as a cut tree, although you may locate potted specimens at your local nursery. White firs grow wild throughout the West in mountainous regions like the Sierra Nevadas and Rocky Mountains. They reach towering heights of over 130 feet tall, although they’ll stay between 30 and 70 feet in your garden.

White firs sprout blue-green needles that are soft to the touch. They’re highly decorative and ideal for gardens that need year-round interest. White fir buds sprout in spring, their needles grow in summer, the cones form in fall, and flower buds emerge in winter! 

Some special white fir cultivars exist for conifer collectors. Choose ‘Compacta’ for a blue-green variety under six feet tall. It’s ideal for containers, and you can bring it indoors for a week or two to decorate during winter. ‘Concolor’ is more blue than the species and ideal for gardens with other colorful shrubs. 

Balsam Fir

	botanical name Abies balsamea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 40-70’
	hardiness zones 3-7

Balsam fir is another hardy species perfect for chilly, mountainous gardens. This type is native to parts of the East Coast and Canada, and it prefers chilly winters with warm summers. Lower growing than the previous types, it’s perfect for spaces that need a medium-sized evergreen conifer. It features young purple cones that mature to dark brown hues as they age. 

This fir grows best in moist, free-draining soil that’s not excessively dry or soggy. It struggles in warm zones 8 and above, as it prefers cool temperatures and consistent moisture. Established specimens are drought and heat-tolerant during the growing season, while young saplings need water during droughts.

Find balsam fir as a potted plant, or order seeds to sprout. Seedlings that germinate in the ground have ample time to adjust to your local climate, giving them a head start on the growing season. Choose tall potted specimens if you need a larger tree right away.

Fraser Fir

	botanical name Abies fraseri
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 30-55’
	hardiness zones 4-7

Firs are unique trees. They sprout cones that stand upwards rather than dangling down. Many, like balsam fir, have cones that first appear purple or green. Fraser fir is unique for its dark brown cones with emerging seed bracts. The bracts tuck under themselves, creating a highly decorative spectacle when they emerge from mature trees.

Fraser fir is the most popular Christmas tree! It’s perfect for the holidays, whether you cut it down young or let it grow forever in your backyard. It stays much smaller than the previous species, capping out at 55 feet. Give it regular water, porous soil, and shelter from excessive heat. 

Fraser fir originates from the Appalachian mountains, where it sprouts among other spruces and firs native to the region. It’ll fare well at lower elevations so long as it doesn’t endure heat waves during the summer. 

Canaan Fir

	botanical name Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 40-55’
	hardiness zones 3-6

The last true fir on this list is the Canaan fir. It’s a special species from eastern Canada and forests near the East Coast. While others tolerate some droughts, Canaan fir tolerates soggy soil for short periods. Grant it well-draining soil to ensure excess moisture doesn’t become an issue. 

This type remains small, like Fraser fir, staying around 55 feet tall in maturity. It’s perfect as a single specimen or as a part of many trees in a stand. It forms a picturesque pyramidal shape as it grows, with short top branches and long bottom ones.

Canaan firs grow wild in high-elevation areas, meaning they like crisp, cold winters and mild, sunny summers. Protect them from excessive heat in lower elevation areas like valleys and meadows. 

White Spruce

	botanical name Picea laxa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 40-60’
	hardiness zones 2-6

From firs, we move on to spruces! Spruce trees have prickly or soft needles arranged in whorls around their stems. They also have cones that dangle downwards instead of upwards. They grow in similar conditions as fir trees, preferring moist, well-draining soils at high elevations.

White spruce is no different! It has soft green needles around each stem, coating the branches in soft, fuzzy foliage. Young trees look like Christmas trees, with wide bases and narrow tips. Mature specimens grow narrow and tall outdoors, with branches close to the trunk. 

White spruces originate from all of Canada and the northernmost states in the U.S. They prefer mild summers and cold, frosty winters. Avoid excessive summer heat and humidity, and provide ample airflow to ensure the needles dry off after rain falls. 

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

	botanical name Picea laxa ‘Conica’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-13’
	hardiness zones 3-6

Dwarf Alberta spruces are miniature forms of white spruces! They stay dense, pyramidal, and squat as they age, providing a perfect Christmas tree shape for you to enjoy. Plant them in containers, as living fences, or as focal points in your landscape. 

These evergreens, like their parents, prefer cool temperatures year-round. Avoid planting them if you garden in zones 8 and above, as they’ll struggle to survive after a few hot summers. Although Alberta spruces prefer zones 3 through 6, they’ll perform well in 7 and 8 with afternoon shade and cool, moist soil.

Dwarf Alberta spruces are forms of white spruces, meaning growers propagate them using cuttings instead of seeds. Find potted plants available around the holidays at stores and nurseries, or take cuttings from an Alberta spruce near you.

Colorado Blue Spruce

	botanical name Picea pungens
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 30-60’
	hardiness zones 2-7

If you like the appearance of spruce trees but want one with blue-green needles, then the Colorado blue spruce is the choice for you. It makes a unique Christmas tree and a stunning addition to your landscape. These trees have bristly blue needles and large brown cones that fall as they mature. 

This tree may not be best for homes with children, as the needles are poky and stiff. Use it outdoors in windbreaks, living fences, or a specimen planting with shade-loving perennials beneath it. It’s drought tolerant once it establishes itself, making it perfect for landscapes with minimal irrigation.

This spruce tolerates partial shade, though it prefers full sun. Grant it free-draining soil and keep it moist throughout dry seasons. I see many stately specimens throughout the Pacific Northwest outside of this tree’s preferred zone. Try growing it first before crossing it off your list! Or, consider a variety like ‘Glauca Pendula’ for serpentine-like branches that grow down instead of up.

Norway Spruce

	botanical name Picea abies
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 40-60’
	hardiness zones 2-7

Norway spruce is a widely available ornamental conifer that originates from parts of Europe. It grows wild in mountainous regions of central and northern Europe, including Norway. It stays under 60 feet in gardens of North America, although it’ll grow to towering heights of over 150 feet in its native habitat. 

Gardeners like growing this non-native tree because it rapidly sprouts new shoots and branches. It’ll fill a space quickly with its hanging stems full of green needles. They’re less prickly than those of Colorado blue spruce, although they’re stiffer than fir tree leaves. 

Because Norway spruce is widely popular, there are dozens of cultivars you can try growing. Choose ‘Nidiformis,’ or bird’s nest spruce if you prefer a shrubby variety. ‘Cupressina’ is a lovely cultivar that stays narrow and columnar, fitting in tight spaces. 

White Pine

	botanical name Pinus strobus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 50-80’
	hardiness zones 3-8

From spruces, we move on to pines! Pine, fir, and spruce trees are all members of the pine family Pinaceae. Pines have long needles in bundles with protective sheathes. You can often identify what type of pine tree it is based on the length, number, and color of the needle clusters.

White pine is first on this list because it outshines its competitors. Native conifers like white pine offer nutritional resources and valuable habitat space for sensitive wildlife. The animals know to come to them because they’ve been flocking to the trees for centuries!

White pine tolerates heat and drought much better than the firs and spruces. Give it freely draining soil, and avoid planting it in soggy or wet sites. This pine is extremely frost-hardy and survives recurring hard frosts from zones 3 through 8. 

Scotch Pine

	botanical name Pinus sylvestris
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 30-60’
	hardiness zones 2-7

Scotch pine is similar to Norway spruce in that it’s a European native conifer that now grows in many states throughout the U.S. This pine grows short, yellow-green needles that form clusters of two. They sprout in spring and last many seasons before falling off. Young specimens make excellent Christmas trees because of their ability to hold onto old needles.

Scotch pines grow irregularly in the landscape. They grow straight and tall in Europe, although they often form crooked trunks in North America. Use them as irregular specimens, or keep them small in containers as bonsai trees. The reddish-brown bark of their trunks matches well with their bright needles. 

Some cultivars offer unique shapes and colors. Try ‘Glauca Nana’ for a round ball shape with blue-green needles. Mature specimens may reach ten feet tall and wide! Opt for ‘Aurea’ for a golden yellow variety that shines during winter. 

Virginia Pine

	botanical name Pinus virginiana
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 40-80’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Virginia pine is native to Virginia and grows wild in most other eastern states. Young saplings are shapely and pyramidal, although older specimens may require pruning to look like a perfect holiday tree. Let one or two grow without pruning to see their naturally curvy and wicked shape. Mature specimens in the wild are stunning! 

This native pine tolerates adverse soils surprisingly well, performing in sand and clay. Mature specimens form cones with pricks on each scale’s end. The cones, needles, and flowers attract wildlife like moths and birds. Moths lay their larvae on the tree, while birds and squirrels eat the pine seeds.

Like most pines, this species reaches towering heights in maturity. Give it plenty of space—most specimens reach 30 to 40 feet tall, while others may reach 80 or more feet up into the air! 

Austrian Pine

	botanical name Pinus nigra
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 40-60’
	hardiness zones 4-7

The last true pine on this list is a favorite of North American gardeners. The Austrian pine, Pinus nigra, grows long, pokey green needles off of stout branches. The trunk stays straight and narrow, while the crown forms a round dome shape as it matures.

Austrian pine is a favorite for expert bonsai artists; the trees require constant defoliation and care to look their best. They’re elegant specimens in the landscape that reach up to 60 feet tall! This medium-sized species is perfect for lining a fence or adding structure to wild plantings. 

Austrian pine originates from lower and central parts of Europe, where it performs well in various conditions. Unlike other conifers, this one tolerates clay, sand, pollution, and short droughts. Give young saplings extra water while they establish themselves, and less water as they mature.

Leyland Cypress

	botanical name x Hesperotropsis leylandii
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 60-70’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Cypress trees are constantly changing their scientific names! Many were previously in the genus Cupressus, while others were in Chamaecyparis. Now, most North American cypress trees are in Hesperocyparis after recent genetic studies prove they’re different from trees in the genus Cupressus from Europe, Asia, and other parts of the eastern hemisphere. 

Leyland cypress defies all naming conventions! It’s a hybrid between the Monterey and Nootka cypresses, so its name is x Hesperotropsis leylandii. These trees were longtime favorites of U.S. gardeners, although they’ve since fallen out of fashion. Cankers, root rot, and bagworms commonly infect them in warm climates.

A few Leylands do well in the landscape, so long as they’re not crowded together. Many gardeners often plant them tightly packed in a line to form a living hedge, and they prune them to size. Consider growing a Leyland cypress as a specimen so it can grow tall, wide, and strong with age. 

Arizona Cypress

	botanical name Hesperocyparis arizonica
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 40-60’
	hardiness zones 7-11

Arizona cypress is a species type native to most of Arizona and eastern New Mexico. It grows better than most conifers in warm, dry regions that are common throughout the Southwest. Plant a few in a row to form an evergreen fence, or consider finding a special cultivar to plant alone.

My all-time favorite Arizona cypress variety is ‘Blue Ice.’ It sprouts thick foliage strands with blue hues rather than green ones. You’ll see it as a cut Christmas tree available in specialty holiday retailers, or as a potted plant at nurseries. 

Arizona cypress prefers well-drained soil rather than soggy or wet clay. Ensure the ground dries in between waterings, and give your saplings full sun throughout the year so they perform their best.

Lemon Cypress

	botanical name Hesperocyparis macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-40’
	hardiness zones 7-11

Lemon cypress is a variety of Monterey cypress with golden foliage that has a citrusy smell when you crush it. It’s perfect for adding bright pops of color to the winter garden or works as a potted holiday tree on your porch or patio. 

Many varieties of lemon cypress exist, although ‘Goldcrest’ is the most common. It’s a medium-sized cultivar that thrives in warmer regions. Grant your plant regular water during the growing season, free-draining soil, and full sun or partial shade. 

If you’d prefer a smaller lemon cypress, try the dwarf variety ‘Goldcrest Wilma.’ It stays under six feet tall and performs well in pots and planters. 

American Arborvitae

	botanical name Thuja occidentalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 40-60’
	hardiness zones 3-7

Arborvitae are perfect options for screening projects. Their dense, green growth offers privacy from busy roads, nosy neighbors, and curious pets. Their foliage turns bronzey gold in winter, and new growth emerges light green in spring. 

Dozens of arborvitae varieties offer different traits that work well in any garden. Choose ‘Emerald Green’ for a narrow, columnar structure at 15 feet. These plants are perfect for evergreen fences, as they take to pruning and shearing well.

‘Aurea Nana’ is another special cultivar. It resembles a lemon cypress, with a dense, pyramidal structure and yellow-green foliage. Grow many scattered about your garden, or plant one or two in pots by your doorstep. 

Western Red Cedar

	botanical name Thuja plicata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 50-70’
	hardiness zones 5-7

West Coast gardeners have the lush, evergreen western red cedar as an evergreen option. This tree loves wet weather that’s common throughout the Pacific Northwest. It grows in moist forests alongside Douglas fir and western hemlock, thriving in dappled sunlight until its crown emerges from the canopy.

I have a western red cedar in the backyard. We use its drooping branches to form holiday sprays and decorations. The cones provide lovely winter interest, and the long branches provide habitat space for birds, squirrels, and small mammals. 

This is a giant tree, and specimens in wild spaces live for over 1000 years! Plant it in a remote location in your yard where its branches have space to sweep and droop.

Eastern Red Cedar

	botanical name Juniperus virginiana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 30-40’
	hardiness zones 2-9

This tree resembles the western red cedar, although it’s not a juniper in the genus Juniperus and not a true cedar! Cold-hardy, tolerant of drought, and slow growing, it’s ideal for eastern gardens with hard frosts and warm summers. It’ll struggle in western states, as moist or soggy soils cause root rot over extended periods. 

As a young sapling, your tree may grow shoots that look like those of Japanese cedars, with spiky needles. As it matures the shoots will transform into scale-like foliage resembling arborvitae and other Thuja species. 

This juniper is naturally pest repellant with aromatic wood, and it’s a host plant for insects and birds of the eastern U.S. Grow it as a specimen with plenty of space to spread, plant it in groups to create a mini forest, or use many in a line to grow a living fence.

‘Skyrocket’ Juniper

	botanical name Juniperus scopulorum ‘Skyrocket’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 15-20’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Junipers aren’t the best option for Christmas trees, although they’re perfect for outdoor gardens! ‘Skyrocket’ is a columnar cultivar with gray-blue foliage that excels in cold and warm climates. Its tall, narrow shape resembles an Italian cypress. Use two to line a path entryway, or group a few in a line to form a screen.

‘Skyrocket’ is a variety of the Rocky Mountain juniper, a cold hardy tree or shrub that thrives on dry sites at high elevations throughout the West. Rocky Mountain juniper excels in cold zones 3 to 7, while ‘Skyrocket’ functions better in warmer climates from zones 4 through 9. 

In wet, soggy soils, your sapling may suffer from root rot or brown foliage. Ensure you give it good drainage so the roots can grow far and wide, and avoid planting this species in hot, humid sites common throughout the Southeast.

‘Blue Point’ Juniper

	botanical name Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 10-12’
	hardiness zones 4-9

If you like the narrow form of ‘Skyrocket’ but prefer a wider base, the ‘Blue Point’ juniper is the perfect variety for your garden. It stays short in maturity, growing no taller than 12 feet. It forms a perfect Christmas tree shape, with a wide, dense base and a narrow crown.

‘Blue Point’ is often available during the holidays as a cut or potted tree for indoor decorating. Keep it in a container and bring it indoors for a week or two, or consider adding lights and ornaments to an outdoor specimen! The blue-green foliage contrasts well with red, green, or white ornaments and warm, soft lights.

Warm indoor temperatures shock potted plants when you bring them inside. Prevent long-term damage by keeping indoor trees short, and by placing the plant near a bright window in a cool room. Warm drafts from heaters in winter can cause dry foliage and defoliation.

Japanese Cedar

	botanical name Cryptomeria japonica
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 50-70’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Japanese cedars present themselves as unlikely Christmas trees. They sprout spiky, overlapping needles off of thin green stems. The green wood matures to a lovely dark brown-red and peels off the trunk on mature specimens. Highly ornamental, these evergreen trees are perfect for small and large gardens.

Consider growing a large cultivar if you have plenty of space. Choose ‘Radicans’ for red fall color and green summer foliage. This variety can reach epic heights, although it stays more narrow and columnar than the species. ‘Black Dragon’ is another special type with tendril-like branches; it stays small and will live in a container while it’s a young sapling.

Japanese cedars love moist, cool conditions, although they’ll tolerate some drought and heat during the summer. Give them a spot with full sun or partial shade. They don’t often require pruning, although you can lop off young branches to shape your tree.

Norfolk Island Pine

	botanical name Araucaria heterophylla
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 60-80’
	hardiness zones 9-11

A special tree for warm climate gardeners, Norfolk Island pine isn’t a true pine. It’s an evergreen conifer from the Araucariaceae family. It’s a close relative of the monkey puzzle tree, a similar warm-loving conifer with spiky leaves.

Norfolk Island pine grows well as a potted houseplant—keep it indoors for fall and winter and outdoors for spring and summer in temperate climates. Warm-climate gardeners are lucky! You can grow this plant outdoors from zones 9 to 11. The tree takes an impressive appearance outdoors, with branches sprouting off the trunk in a star-like pattern.