The 10 Best Smelling Christmas Trees to Buy in 2024

The balsam fir—a variety most commonly found in the Northeast and Great Lake states—tops the list of best smelling Christmas trees. Per O’Connor, the balsam fir is widely known for its strong Christmas tree scent. Another bonus of the balsam fir is that it’s hardy and tends to retain its needles better than some other types of Christmas trees. (A trait I certainly value, given that every year I end up finding pine needles in my bed come July.)

Although not a true fir, the Douglas fir is one of the best smelling Christmas trees that’s shipped far and wide. It isn’t the most fragrant on the list, but it does have a sweet evergreen scent, nonetheless, and it’s very easy to find no matter where you live. That said, Douglas firs shed needles like crazy when they start to dry out, so if you opt to bring one home this year, be sure to water it generously. Also make sure you get a good quality one and not a tree that’s been hanging around for too long; I made that mistake last year and my already dried out tree showered needles everywhere, but even worse, the dead needles were so sharp they were a hazard!

The Canaan fir is probably my favorite on the list—namely because it checks all the boxes. For starters, the branches of this tree boast a lovely layered structure that’s great for hanging ornaments, but doesn’t sacrifice the eye-pleasing, full-bodied appearance we all want. The Canaan fir is also similar to the Balsam and Fraser fir in that it has a rich color and pleasant fragrance that can fill a room. Best of all, the needles of the Canaan fir are blessedly soft, which means you can interact with it—bring it in and out of your home, decorate it, hug it, what have you—without any tears or bloodshed. (See above for my Douglas fir horror story.) That said, you’re only likely to find this prized pine in places east of the Rockies, particularly in the Great Lake and Mid-Atlantic states.

Native to the Pacific Northwest and named for its impressive stature, the grand fir looks very similar to the balsam fir, with an attractive conical shape and short, dark green needles. O’Connor says it also rivals the balsam fir in terms of fragrance—though it’s worth noting that grand firs are only available on the west coast and, even there, they are less common than other varieties.

Another one of the best smelling Christmas trees around is this fragrant evergreen from the western part of the country—and if you hate bald spots on a tree as much as I do, this is the pine for you. Native to California’s central coast, the Monterey pine has a full-bodied appearance due to its particularly long needles. Monterey pines are also among the most aromatic pine trees, but they are unlikely to be shipped elsewhere (so if you don’t live on the west coast, keep scrolling).

The Fraser fir is found all across the eastern part of the United States, from North Carolina and Tennessee to the upper Great Lakes, and is exceedingly popular—namely because it’s hardy enough to tolerate shipping. Indeed, the Fraser is known for its strong, sturdy branches and excellent needle retention, which means it can hold even the heftiest ornaments in your collection.

Basically the west coast equivalent of the Fraser, the Noble fir is a widely available and much-loved variety throughout the western part of the United States that boasts a beautiful blue-green color, soft evergreen scent and, most notably, a remarkably symmetrical silhouette.

A real Christmas tree is a wonderful thing…but if finding pine needles in your bed is a pet peeve, you’d be wise to go for a Scotch pine (or Scots pine) instead of a Douglas fir. The Scotch pine is the most widely planted Christmas tree in America and it’s extremely hardy. Per the experts, the Scotch pine has excellent water retention and its needles don’t even shed when they’ve dried out. As such, the Scotch pine is a particularly low maintenance tree that will survive for the holiday season and beyond (i.e., you can be lazy and keep it up until February). Better still, this mess-free tree boasts a beautiful bright green color, classic pine fragrance and branches that curve upwards for easy decorating.

As the name suggests, the Virginia pine is found primarily in the south, where it’s a very popular choice—and for good reason. This type of Christmas tree is known for its very rich, classic pine fragrance and superior needle retention when watered regularly. It also has a bushy appearance with nice sturdy branches that can hold heavier ornaments well. However, the Virginia pine tends to grow to a small or medium height, which makes it easier to manage and well-suited to smaller spaces, but not ideal if you’re looking for a towering showstopper. 

Also known as the “White fir,” the Concolor fir is a wonderfully symmetrical tree that is named for its unique blue-green color, which can impart an almost powdery appearance. The needles of the Concolor fir are longer than most, giving it a coarser appearance, but its sturdy branches and symmetrical form are perfect for displaying ornaments. In terms of fragrance, the Concolor fir is often described as having a bright, citrusy character that’s distinct from the woodier scent of other Christmas trees. If you decide this is the tree for you, you’ll have no problem finding it; the Concolor fir is widely available at retail locations anywhere east of the Rockies.