O Christmas Tree: how to find the right fir
Dec 13, 2025, 5:51 PM | Updated: Dec 15, 2025, 9:44 am
Buyers bid for holiday decorations at Buffalo Valley Produce Auction, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Mifflinburg, Pa. (Matt Slocum, AP Photos)
(Matt Slocum, AP Photos)
SALT LAKE CITY — It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Which means it’s just about time that you’ll have to take care of your Christmas tree.
Luckily, you have plenty to choose from. Chances are you’re taking home a Noble, Grand, Douglas, or Nordmann fir tree. Grown in the northwest in Oregon and Idaho, these trees are probably the first thing when you think of Christmas, and they’re imported to Utah to serve as a place for your family to gather around for this special season.
Noble firs can be identified by their strong, well spaced branches. With sturdy branches for all your wonderful ornaments, these trees make an excellent centerpiece in your home. If you opt for a Grand fir, you’re going to fill your home with that wonderful seasonal scent that sparks memories of Christmas past, but if that’s not what you’re looking for, a Nordmann fir will do for people who might be sensitive to pollen but still want to enjoy the holiday.
If you’re at the lot and none of the trees (or their prices) are right for you, then you can pick your Christmas tree from one of America’s national forests with a permit from the US Forest Service. The permits are typically around 5 or 10 dollars, and allow you to cut down one wild tree for yourself. Not only does it help your wallet, but it also helps the forest as felling some smaller trees allows other trees to grow larger. If you choose to go get your own tree this year please keep safety in mind. The mountains can get very cold very quick, and without the right clothing, transportation, and preparation things can turn dangerous quickly.
Once you get your Christmas tree home, put it in water immediately to allow it to soak up water. Otherwise you may risk it sealing up, and you will need to cut the base again. Make sure it has enough water, especially within the first few days where it may soak up an especially large amount.
You may have heard a trick or two to keep your tree longer like sugar, sprite, or bleach at its base. But these may do more harm than good. What your tree needs most for Christmas is water!
When all the fun is over, look around for local tree disposal organizations, or just take your tree to your local green waste facility. Happy holidays!
