Christmas Trees · October 26, 2026

Douglas Fir Christmas Trees: Soft Needles, Sweet Smell, Full Shape

The Douglas fir is one of the most popular real Christmas trees in America, and it's one of eight species we grow on the farm in Brockport, about 30 minutes west of Rochester. Here's what it looks like, how it smells, how long it holds up indoors, and how it compares to the other trees in our field.

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Fisher's Farm Blog

Douglas Fir Christmas Trees: Soft Needles, Sweet Smell, Full Shape

Is a Douglas Fir a Good Christmas Tree?

Yes. A Douglas fir Christmas tree is a strong pick for most households. It has soft, blue-green to dark green needles that are comfortable to handle, a sweet scent that gets stronger when the needles are brushed or crushed, and a full, dense shape that looks good from every side of the room. Its two weak spots are worth knowing up front: the branches are more flexible than a spruce or a pine, so very heavy ornaments can make them droop, and it holds its needles well only if it never runs out of water. Keep the stand full and a Douglas fir will usually look fresh for four to five weeks.

What a Douglas Fir Looks and Feels Like

Douglas fir needles are about an inch to an inch and a half long, flat, and soft. They grow out in all directions around the twig, so each branch looks fuller than it would on a tree whose needles lie flat in two rows. The color runs from blue-green to a deep green depending on the tree. Because the needles aren't sharp, it's an easy tree to decorate with kids, and you won't be pulling needle pricks out of your hands after stringing the lights. Despite the name, the Douglas fir isn't a true fir. It belongs to its own genus, which is why it looks a little different from the Balsam and Canaan firs growing nearby.

How a Douglas Fir Smells

The scent is sweet and a little citrusy, softer than a Balsam fir. You'll notice it most when you brush past the tree or handle the branches while decorating. If a strong "Christmas tree smell" that fills the whole house is the top priority, a Balsam fir is the stronger choice. If you want a pleasant scent that doesn't take over the room, a Douglas fir sits right in the middle.

Needle Retention: How Long a Douglas Fir Lasts

This is the question most people have about a Douglas fir Christmas tree, and the honest answer is that it depends almost entirely on water. A freshly cut Douglas fir that stays watered will hold its needles through the holidays without much trouble. One that's allowed to dry out, even once, starts dropping needles fast and doesn't recover well. Cutting your own tree helps a lot here, because the tree you take home was standing in the field that morning instead of sitting on a lot for weeks. Get it into water within a few hours of cutting, check the stand every day, and keep it away from heat vents, fireplaces, and space heaters. If needle drop is your biggest worry, a Scotch pine is the best needle-holder we grow.

Ornaments, Lights, and What the Branches Can Hold

Douglas fir branches are flexible. That's part of why the tree looks so soft and full, but it also means heavy glass ornaments and big vintage bulbs can weigh the tips down. Light and medium ornaments are no problem. Put the heaviest pieces close to the trunk, where the branches are thickest, and save the lightweight ones for the outer tips. Because the tree is so dense, mini lights tucked toward the inside of the branches give it a nice glow from within. If your ornament collection leans heavy, look at a Colorado Blue Spruce, which has stiff branches built to hold weight.

Douglas Fir vs. the Other Trees We Grow

We grow eight species, so it helps to know where the Douglas fir fits. Compared with a Balsam fir, it's softer and fuller but less fragrant. Compared with a Canaan fir, it has a sweeter scent but weaker branches. A Scotch pine holds its needles longer and has sturdier branches, though its needles are stiffer to the touch. A Colorado Blue Spruce has a striking silver-blue color and holds heavy ornaments, but its needles are sharp. A White fir (Concolor) has the same soft feel with a citrus scent and a silvery color. If you want a soft, full, family-friendly tree and you're good about watering, the Douglas fir is hard to beat. You can see all eight on our Christmas tree page.

How to Pick a Good Douglas Fir in the Field

Before you head out, measure your ceiling. Subtract about a foot for the stand and the tree topper, and that's the tallest tree you want. Trees always look smaller standing in an open field than they do in a living room, so bring a tape measure or a marked stick. When you find a candidate, walk all the way around it. Look for a straight trunk, even branching on every side, and no big gaps (a small gap can face the wall). Then run your hand gently along a branch toward you. On a healthy Douglas fir the needles should feel soft and springy and stay on the branch. Check the bottom of the tree too: you'll want about eight to ten inches of clear trunk at the base so it fits in the stand without trimming off good branches. Not sure which species or size fits your room? Our guide on the trees we grow walks through all eight.

Getting Your Douglas Fir Home and Keeping It Fresh

Bring gloves, rope or ratchet straps, and an old blanket or tarp to protect your car roof. Load the tree with the trunk facing forward so the wind doesn't strip the branches on the drive home. Once you're home, if the tree won't go into the stand within a few hours, cut about half an inch off the bottom of the trunk so it can drink. Use a stand that holds plenty of water. A common rule of thumb is about a quart of water for every inch of trunk diameter. A fresh tree can drink a surprising amount in the first few days, so check the water level every morning and never let it drop below the base of the trunk.

Cut Your Own Douglas Fir Near Rochester

Fisher's Fruit & Christmas Tree Farm is at 467 Euler Rd in Brockport, Monroe County, about 30 minutes west of Rochester. We've been farming here since 1973. Tree season opens Saturday, November 21, 2026, the weekend before Thanksgiving, and runs Friday through Sunday, 9am to 4pm, while supplies last. Trees go fast, so come early in the season. We provide hand saws, or you can bring your own, and there's a tree-shaking station to clear loose needles before you load up. Trees are priced by size, so call (585) 690-8269 for current rates. Cash and major credit cards are accepted. Walk the field, find the Douglas fir that's yours, and cut it together.

Cut Your Own Douglas Fir This Season

Tree season at Fisher's Fruit & Christmas Tree Farm opens Saturday, November 21 and runs Fri–Sun 9am–4pm while supplies last. Eight species, saws provided, about 30 minutes west of Rochester.

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