Oregon is the best place in the world for Christmas trees. With 4.7 million trees produced in 2017, that much is not up for debate. But what is debatable is the age-old question: Which of Oregon’s Christmas tree species is the best one?

Don’t ruin the holidays by getting the wrong Christmas tree this year! Instead, just do the right thing and get the best tree!

5. Grand fir

Benjamin Brink/The OregonianLC- The Oregonian

According to the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association, Grand fir represents 5% of the Christmas trees grown in Oregon and Washington.

The Grand fir doesn’t get too much love because, well, it doesn’t deserve it. The glossy fir appeals to the same people who like fake trees and those people just buy fake trees!

4. Douglas fir

Workers from the Department of General services set up the 18-foot Douglas fir Christmas tree in the state Capitol Rotunda, November 27, 2019. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Yes, the Douglas-fir is Oregon’s state tree and yes, it is a magnificent tree, even though it isn’t actually a fir. A lot of people throughout the country consider Douglas-fir to be THE Christmas tree -- it’s shapely and fluffy and smells great.

But in Oregon, we have so many trees to choose from and this one is so perfectly Christmas-tree-y it is actually just a boring choice.

3. Nordmann fir

(Photo by Lynn Ketchum)LC- Lynn Ketchum

The Nordmann fir makes up only 4% of Christmas trees grown in Oregon and Washington, according to the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association, so it might be harder to find at your local tree lot.

But if you can find one, possible at a u-cut farm, you will find this fir is hearty tree retains its needles very well during the long Christmas holiday. And, if anyone in your family is sensitive to the pine-y Christmas tree scent, the Nordmann isn’t fragrant at all.

2. Colorado blue spruce

The Flint Journal/Jane HaleThe Flint Journal

This tree is even harder to find in Oregon than Nordmann fir, but you can sometimes find these blue-ish beauties at u-cut farms. The color makes for an interesting twist on your classic Christmas tree and these trees retain their needles well.

This tree will not only look good, but it will fill your house with a lovely seasonal scent.

1. Noble fir

Bob Ellis/The Oregonian LC- THE OREGONIAN

There can only be one top Oregon Christmas tree species and it will come as no surprise to the tree connoisseur that is the Noble fir.

The Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association says the Noble fir makes up 54% of the trees grown in Oregon and Washington, and with good reason. Here’s a tree that is Christmas tree-shaped without being too perfect or fluffy or conical. It smells just right and keeps its sturdy needles long enough to make it through the holidays.

Another great thing about this great tree is that the branches angle up so your ornaments don’t end up smashed on the floor.

Noble fir is the classic Oregon tree because it is so clearly not a plastic tree out of a box.

A Noble fir in your living room tells all who enter: “These people are casual and fun. They are probably wearing flannel and drinking some local holiday ale. They probably celebrate Christmas more as a cultural holiday and pagan ritual than anything else. And they love trees.”

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052 lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker

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