20 types of Christmas trees that will look amazing in your living room

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Of all the Christmas traditions, nothing is quite as magical as visiting a Christmas tree farm. On those cool afternoons, you'll find yourself strolling through fragrant rows of lush pines, firs or spruces. And then there's the tree that speaks to you – the tree you can see in your living room, wrapped in your favorite Christmas tree ribbons, adorned with ornaments and topped off with a tree skirt and a pretty tree topper. Some would even argue that choosing the tree is better than decorating it!

If you're like Ree Drummond and need the real thing every year, you'll want to look at the different types of Christmas trees to see which one is best for your home. For Ree, that's an impressive 12-foot, full-bodied Noble Fir. “Part of the beauty of a Christmas tree is the incredible scent that fills your house,” she says. If scent is important to you too, you might also want to check out a Balsam or Silver Fir, which we've mentioned below!

There's a perfect tree for everyone, whether you're looking for one that's easy to care for, good for small spaces, or just plain pretty. Traditionalists will probably prefer the classic White Pine or the popular Douglas Fir, while those who want something a little more unusual might like the Leyland Cypress. Just read up on how to keep your Christmas tree alive all season long! Of course, there are always artificial Christmas trees to buy too—we've included one that looks so real, the Pioneer Woman herself might not mind..

Most popular Christmas tree: Douglas fir

The Douglas fir is one of the best-selling Christmas tree species in the USA thanks to its soft, sweet-smelling needles and full growth habit. It is even exported to Hawaii!

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Most traditional Christmas tree: white pine

You just can't beat a classic Christmas tree with its traditional look. If you want something like something out of a movie, go for a Weymouth pine. The tree is known for its long, soft needles (which are exceptionally mild) and impressive stature. It is the largest pine in the country and one of the most popular in the Mid-Atlantic states.

Best slim Christmas tree: Arizona cypress

Add a little festive flair to your space by getting an Arizona Cypress tree. Its tall, conical shape and blue-green foliage make it a unique tree. And despite its name, this tree can be found in many states across the country. Although it doesn't give off much fragrance, you can always count on Christmas candles.

The most spectacular Christmas tree: The Great Fir

Well, “magnificent” is certainly one word for it! It's no wonder this massive tree is native to the Pacific Northwest – it grows to an astonishing 230 feet tall! You're guaranteed to enjoy the fresh aroma of its citrus-scented needles and bright yellow-green color. Bonus: Thanks to its strong branches, decorating is a breeze!

Best Christmas Tree for Ornaments: White Spruce

Why is the white spruce so good for hanging lots of decorations? It's literally because of the branches. The short, stiff and strong needles will hold your heaviest decorations securely. The only downside is their smell – when crushed, the white spruce needles give off an unpleasant odor, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. So don't crush those needles!

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Best Small Tree: Virginia Pine

Don't have a living room with 15-foot ceilings? Opt for the humble but vibrant Virginia pine. It's known for its smaller stature and shorter branches. The needles have a funny, twisted look, grow in pairs, and don't fall off easily.

Most beautiful Christmas tree: Colorado blue spruce

The Colorado blue spruce is a western tree species known for its unique bluish-gray color. Other advantages include low shed hair and an attractive symmetrical shape. Just watch out for the needles – they're sharp!

Best for Landscaping: Korean Fir

The Korean fir is not only a great Christmas tree, but would look just as beautiful in your garden. It originates from Asia, but is becoming increasingly popular as a cultivar in the USA. It has dark green needles with a striking silvery underside and a distinctively soft texture. It is similar to the Norman fir, but is more compact, has beautiful symmetry and a fresh, leafy aroma.

New on the market: Canaan fir

Canaan firs may be a new type of Christmas tree, but they're the best of all! They're medium-sized evergreen trees with the sturdiness of a Fraser fir and the needle retention and rich color of a balsam fir. The strong branches with soft needles make decorating a pleasure, and their scent is rather mild for those with sensitive noses.

Most unique coloring: Serbian spruce

The sprawling, glossy, deep green foliage with hints of blue and dark purple young pine cones make this popular sales tree a uniquely beautiful choice. The branches are flexible and rounded at the tip, making them easy to decorate, and sturdy enough to support medium-weight ornaments. The Serbian Spruce is also known for its rich, sweet smell.

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Most fragrant Christmas tree: Balsam fir

Balsam firs have a spicy, fresh aroma that lasts throughout the holiday season. The scent of this tree is so distinctive that many Christmas candles and room sprays are designed to smell just like it.

Best low-maintenance Christmas tree: Scots pine

If you don't want to spend the whole season cleaning up fallen needles, Scots pine might be for you. This light green variety is known for its strong needles that stay firmly attached to the branches even when they dry out.

Best pet-friendly Christmas tree: Nordmann fir

There is so much love to be had with the Nordmann Fir that will make your holidays even more beautiful. It comes in a variety of sizes, up to 8 feet, depending on the space in your home. It has a deep, rich color with rounded needles. You will also enjoy its excellent needle retention and light fragrance.

Most unique growth pattern: Red fir

The Norway spruce, also known as the silver fir, has an open growth pattern that makes it a popular choice for decorative purposes. It grows tall and slender, with a narrow crown and upward-curving branches – branches that exude a sweet, lemony scent and have a striking green hue with blue-green tips that give off a silvery appearance. They are also soft to the touch and stiff enough to hold heavy ornaments.

Traditional artificial Christmas tree

If you want to fool your guests into thinking you have a real tree, consider going the traditional route. Some artificial trees are designed to look just like natural trees, right down to the silhouette and needle structure. To save yourself that extra step, invest in a lighted tree.

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Easiest Christmas tree to transport: Fraser fir

You'll love the scent of the Fraser fir, but its durability is also an advantage. The species holds its shape no matter how far it is transported, so it is often shipped across the country.

Best minimalist Christmas tree: Noble fir

Minimalist decorators, this tree is for you! Its nearly perfect silhouette makes it a focal point even if you don't hang many ornaments or lights. FYI, the Noble Fir is Ree's personal favorite!

Best Christmas tree for allergies: Leyland cypress

You don't have to give up on a real tree just because you have allergies. The Leyland cypress doesn't have a strong odor, doesn't shed a lot of needles, and doesn't produce sap, making it a good choice for people who are sensitive to other types of real trees.

Lemon-scented Christmas tree: Silver fir

Also known as the Concolor fir, this tree meets all the criteria for a Christmas tree: attractive shape, beautiful color and good needle retention. Its most attractive feature is the strong citrus scent its needles give off when crushed, according to MSU Extension.

Best Christmas tree for small spaces: Black Hills Spruce

A variety of white spruce, the Black Hills spruce has strong branches for all your decorative purposes, but is more compact, according to the Michigan State University Extension Christmas tree growers program, making it great for display in a smaller space or on a table.

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