How to Choose Your
Perfect Christmas Tree
Measure your room, pick what matters most, and find the tree that fits your family. Then come see all eight in person in Denver.
How Do I Choose a Christmas Tree?
Start with your ceiling. Choose a tree about 12 inches shorter than your ceiling, to leave room for the stand and topper. Then pick by what matters most to your family: strong branches for heavy ornaments, a classic scent, soft needles for little hands, or a tree that lasts all season. On the lot, check that the needles bend instead of snapping and don’t fall off when you run your hand along a branch.
Measure Before You Come
The most common Christmas tree mistake is a tree that’s too tall. Measure your ceiling height where the tree will stand, then subtract about 12 inches. That leaves room for the stand at the bottom and a star or angel on top. Next, measure the floor space. Most trees are about two-thirds as wide as they are tall, so a 7-foot tree needs close to 5 feet of width.
What Size Christmas Tree Do I Need?
| Ceiling height | Tree height | About how wide |
|---|---|---|
| 8 feet | 6½ to 7 feet | 4½ to 5 feet |
| 9 feet | 7½ to 8 feet | 5 to 5½ feet |
| 10 feet | 8½ to 9 feet | 5½ to 6 feet |
| 12 feet | 10½ to 11 feet | 7 to 7½ feet |
| Tabletop | 2 to 4 feet | 1½ to 3 feet |
Our trees range from 2 to 15 feet tall, from tabletop trees for an apartment to showpieces for vaulted ceilings.
Pick What Matters Most to Your Family
Every tree on our lot is good at something. Start with what you care about most:
Heavy ornaments
Strong, stiff branches that won’t droop: Noble Fir, Scotch Pine and Colorado Blue Spruce.
The classic Christmas smell
The strongest, sweetest scents: Douglas Fir and Fraser Fir.
A scent that’s different
A light hint of citrus: Concolor Fir.
Soft needles for little hands
Gentle to the touch: White Pine, Fraser Fir and Nordmann Fir.
A tree that lasts all season
The best needle retention: Noble Fir, Fraser Fir, Nordmann Fir and Scotch Pine.
A light scent
For homes that prefer a gentle evergreen smell: Nordmann Fir and White Pine.
A true Colorado tree
Species that grow wild in our Rockies: Colorado Native Trees, Douglas Fir and Concolor Fir.
Lights and garland
Graceful, flexible branches made for lights: White Pine and Douglas Fir.
Compare All Eight Christmas Trees
Click any tree name to learn about its branches, scent, needles and Colorado care.
| Tree | Needles | Scent | Branches | Needle retention | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noble Fir | Firm, blunt | Mild | Very strong | Excellent | Heavy ornaments |
| Fraser Fir | Soft | Classic evergreen | Strong | Excellent | All-around favorite |
| Nordmann Fir | Soft, glossy | Light | Strong | Excellent | Soft needles, little scent |
| Douglas Fir | Soft | Sweet and strong | Moderate | Good | Fragrance |
| Concolor Fir | Long, soft | Light citrus | Moderate | Good | A unique scent and color |
| Scotch Pine | Stiff | Fresh pine | Strong | Excellent | A long display |
| White Pine | Long, soft | Mild | Light | Good | Lights and garland |
| Colorado Natives | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | A true Colorado tree |
Not sure which one to pick? Our Choosing Your Tree guide compares all eight trees on our lot.
How to Tell if a Christmas Tree Is Fresh
When you find a tree you like on the lot, give it four quick checks:
- 1The bend test. Gently bend a needle. On a fresh fir, it bends instead of snapping.
- 2The hand test. Run your hand lightly along a branch toward you. Only a few needles should come off.
- 3The color check. Look for even green color without dry, brown tips on the outer branches.
- 4The tap test. Lift the tree and tap the trunk on the ground. A few brown needles from the inside are normal. A shower of green needles is not.
Choosing a Tree for a Colorado Home
Denver’s dry winter air and forced-air heat dry out Christmas trees faster than in more humid places. If you like to decorate early, on Thanksgiving weekend or in the first days of December, choose a tree known for holding its needles, like a Noble Fir, Fraser Fir, Nordmann Fir or Scotch Pine.
Plan where the tree will stand before you buy. Pick a spot away from heater vents, fireplaces and sunny windows, and you’ll get weeks more out of any tree. Then keep the stand full of water every day. It’s the single biggest thing you can do in Colorado’s climate.
Read our full Tree Care guide.
Choosing a Christmas Tree: Your Questions
Come Find Your Tree in Person
The best way to choose is to walk the lot. Bring your measurements and your family, and take your time. Walk through more than 500,000 holiday lights for free, visit with Santa, hear a story from Mrs. Claus, and find the tree that feels like yours.