Which Christmas Tree Smells the Best? Experts Reveal the Answer

There's one specific variety the pros prefer.

A row of snowcovered pine trees in an outdoor setting with string lights hung above — Credit:
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If buying a fresh Christmas tree is one of your family traditions, you know that few things compare to breathing in its fresh scent every day of December. But with such a wide variety to choose from, and each with its own distinct fragrance, it can be difficult to know which tree smells the best. To help you decide, we turned to tree experts who revealed which Christmas tree they think is the most fragrant—plus, tips for enjoying its scent for longer.

Eric North, PhD, program manager of urban forestry and ISA certified arborist at Arbor Day Foundation, the world’s largest member nonprofit dedicated to planting trees
Jesse Jimerson, co-owner of Piper Mountain Christmas Tree Farm in Newburgh, Maine

The Most Fragrant Christmas Tree

While fragrance is a matter of personal preference, ISA-certified arborist Eric North says most people prefer the smell of fir trees over pines and spruces. "With smell linked so closely to memory, the fragrance of the fir reminds a lot of people, including me, of the winter holidays," he says. "If you didn’t grow up with fir trees, the fragrance is citrusy, earthy, and lightly spicy."

Jesse Jimerson, co-owner of Piper Mountain Christmas Tree Farm, agrees. "I think Balsam fir is the traditional scent most often associated with Christmas," he says. "It is grounding and earthy. For me, it is absolutely what I remember from my first tree as a child—comforting, warm, and very memorable."

To get a full dose of a fir tree's scent, North recommends removing some of the flat, green needles, breaking them in half, or crushing them. "Inhale deeply and be transported to the holidays," he says.

Other Fragrant Christmas Tree Varieties

While our experts say firs are the pinnacle of good-smelling Christmas trees, there are other fragrant varieties to consider bringing home this holiday season.

Pines: These trees have a fresh scent reminiscent of newly cut lumber, says North. Some pine species have a slight citrusy or spicy fragrance, but the dominant notes are earthy and fresh.
Spruces: Spruces typically have a light citrus odor, but can sometimes smell pungent. "Personally, I find spruces the least fragrant of the common Christmas trees," North says.
Douglas firs: Not a true fir, the Douglas fir has a smell heavy on the citrus and low on the earthy, spicy notes, which North says sets it apart from true firs.

Why Certain Trees Smell More Fragrant Than Others

Why a Christmas tree smells good comes down to its environment and genetics. "Trees have an amazing number of chemical compounds that serve a wide variety of biological functions," says North. "What we smell are the essential oils, which is a broad name for a group of biochemicals called terpenoids. Trees with a higher amount of essential oils produce a greater fragrance."

North adds that ideal growing conditions prevent the tree from becoming stressed, which not only improves its physical appearance but also allows the production of essential oils. "Severely stressed trees often do not have enough energy to produce essential oils in high quantities," he says.

How to Make a Christmas Tree Smell Fresh for Longer

How fresh and hydrated your tree is will determine how long its natural scent lasts. "A dry tree won’t smell as strongly as a fresh and well-hydrated tree," says Jimerson. Before bringing the tree inside, cut off about a 1/2-inch to 1 inch of the trunk to improve water uptake, then get it into water as soon as possible. "If you need some time to prep the house, pull out your tree stand, and find your ornaments, make sure the tree is settled in a bucket of water as soon as you get home for the best longevity," he says.

Once your tree is set up, always ensure the stand has enough water. "Do not let water go below the base of the trunk," Jimerson says. "People are often surprised by how fast trees drink up water, especially in the first few days, so set a reminder to continuously replenish the water. I also recommend against setting your tree up near a heat source."

How Long a Christmas Tree's Scent Lasts

How long the fragrance lasts depends on a few factors, such as when the tree was cut, the species, and how often you water it, says North. Generally, the longer a tree has been sitting in the lot, the less time you have to enjoy its scent.

This is why Jimerson recommends buying a fresh-cut tree, if possible. "I believe fresh-cut will always be a fresher, better, and more fragrant product. We operate a choose-and-cut farm, and there's truly nothing like the smell of a fresh-cut tree."

With these factors in mind, North says you can typically expect a tree to remain fragrant for about a month when well watered.