Fresh-Cut Douglas Fir Christmas Trees
The Douglas Fir is the tree you smell before you see it. Full, soft and sweetly fragrant, it’s the classic Christmas tree many of us grew up with.
What Is a Douglas Fir?
A Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is an evergreen native to western North America, including the Rocky Mountains here in Colorado. Despite its name, it isn’t a true fir. It’s known for soft needles that grow all the way around each branch, a full, dense pyramid shape and one of the sweetest scents of any Christmas tree. It’s one of the most popular Christmas trees in the country.
Why Families Choose a Douglas Fir
When you walk in the front door and the whole house smells like Christmas, that’s a Douglas Fir. Its sweet, rich scent is the main reason families come back to it year after year.
Its needles are soft and grow thick around every branch, which gives it a full, bushy look with no bare spots. It’s an easy tree to love and an easy tree to decorate, and it looks especially beautiful wrapped in lights and garland.
Douglas Fir at a Glance
| Needles | Soft, dark to blue-green, growing all around the branch |
|---|---|
| Branches | Flexible, best for light to medium ornaments |
| Scent | Sweet and strong |
| Needle retention | Good with daily watering |
| Shape | Full, dense pyramid |
| Native to | Western North America, including the Colorado Rockies |
| Best for | Fragrance, a full classic look, lights and garland |
Is a Douglas Fir Right for Your Home?
A Douglas Fir is a great fit if you:
- Want the strongest, sweetest Christmas tree scent
- Love a full, bushy tree with no gaps
- Decorate with lights, garland and light to medium ornaments
- Want the classic Christmas tree you remember from childhood
Have a lot of heavy ornaments? Look at the Noble Fir. Want a tree that holds its needles even longer? Try the Fraser Fir.
Keeping Your Douglas Fir Fresh in Colorado
Denver’s dry air and indoor heat can dry out any tree, and a Douglas Fir does best with steady water. A few simple steps keep it soft and fragrant:
- 1Get it into water fast. Set up your tree in water within a few hours of getting it home.
- 2Never let the stand run dry. A fresh Douglas Fir drinks a lot, especially in the first few days. Check the stand every morning and evening.
- 3Keep it away from heat. Place it away from heater vents, fireplaces and sunny windows.
- 4Add a little humidity. A humidifier nearby helps hold in the needles and the scent in Colorado’s dry winter air.
Get the full guide in Tree Care.
Douglas Fir vs. Fraser Fir vs. Concolor Fir
| Feature | Douglas Fir | Fraser Fir | Concolor Fir |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scent | Sweet and strong | Classic evergreen | Light citrus |
| Needles | Soft | Soft | Soft, blue-green |
| Branch strength | Moderate | Strong | Moderate |
| Needle retention | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Best for | Fragrance | All-around favorite | A unique scent and color |
Not sure which one to pick? Our Choosing Your Tree guide compares all eight trees on our lot.
Douglas Fir Questions
How long does a Douglas Fir Christmas tree last?▾
With water every day and a spot away from heat, a fresh-cut Douglas Fir can stay fresh for three to four weeks. Keeping the stand full is the most important thing you can do.
Does a Douglas Fir smell good?▾
Yes. It has one of the sweetest, strongest scents of any Christmas tree. Many families choose it for the smell alone.
Are Douglas Fir needles soft?▾
Yes. The needles are soft and not prickly, so the whole family can help decorate.
Can a Douglas Fir hold heavy ornaments?▾
Its branches are more flexible than a Noble or Fraser Fir, so it’s best with lights, garland and light to medium ornaments. For heavy ornaments, choose a Noble Fir.
Is a Douglas Fir native to Colorado?▾
Yes. The Douglas Fir grows naturally across western North America, including the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
What sizes of Douglas Fir do you carry?▾
Our trees range from 2 to 15 feet tall. Douglas Fir sizes vary by delivery, so stop by to see what’s on the lot.
Where can I buy a Douglas Fir Christmas tree in Denver?▾
At Tree Town Wonderland, 3604 South Kipling Street in Denver, at Putter’s Pride Mini Golf. We’re open every day, November 15 through December 24, 10am to 9pm.
Come Pick Out Your Douglas Fir
Bring the family to Tree Town Wonderland and make an afternoon of it. Walk through more than 500,000 holiday lights for free, visit with Santa, hear a story from Mrs. Claus, and then find the Douglas Fir that’s just right for your home.
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