1. A Guide to Conifer Identification Picking out your favorite tree

2. This list contains many people's top picks for Christmas trees as well as other prominent species. Scent, subtleties of needle color, and planting information are all here. This list contains many people's top picks for Christmas trees as well as other prominent species. Scent, subtleties of needle color, and planting information are all here.

3. Douglas Fir

4. Map showing geographical range of Douglas Fir

5. Boasting a pyramidal shape and blunt, blue-to-dark-green needles, and rich fragrance Pseudotsuga menziesii is a dependably long-lived cut tree. It flourishes in mild, humid climates with dry summers

6. White Pine

7. Map of geographical range of Western White Pine

8. Soft-green color, long needles, and rich fragrance make Pinus strobus worthy of yuletide focus. Adaptable, fast growing, and moisture loving, it produces long, decorative pinecones.

9. Noble Fir

10. Map showing geographical range of Noble Fir

11. With its cool blue-green, well-spaced branches and densely set, upwardly curved needles, Abies nobilis is aptly named. It's most often a cut tree, since it grows happily only in its Pacific Northwest home.

12. Grand Fir

13. Map showing geographical range of Grand Fir

14. With bicolor needles—deep green on top, white-striped underneath—Abiesgrandis has a mild fragrance and makes a rich foil for ornaments. It grows well where winters are long, summers are cool, and the air is humid and pristine.

15. Scotch Pine

16. Map showing geographical range of Scotch Pine Map showing geographical range of Scotch Pine

17. A classic conical shape and excellent needle retention make with a mild fragrance Pinus sylvestris the most popular cut tree of the holidays. It's also easy to grow because it tolerates a wide range of climates and soils. A classic conical shape and excellent needle retention make with a mild fragrance Pinus sylvestris the most popular cut tree of the holidays. It's also easy to grow because it tolerates a wide range of climates and soils.

18. Balsam Fir

19. Map of geographical range of Balsam Fir

20. A regal, richly fragrant native tree, Abies balsamea has bicolor needles—deep green on top, silvery-white below. Its generally slender profile moderate fragrance suits small rooms. It grows only in cold-winter, cool-summer climates. A regal, richly fragrant native tree, Abies balsamea has bicolor needles—deep green on top, silvery-white below. Its generally slender profile moderate fragrance suits small rooms. It grows only in cold-winter, cool-summer climates.

21. Western Red Cedar

22. Map showing geographical range of Western Red Cedar

23. A fragrant tree native from Northern California to Alaska and inland to Montana, Thuga plicata’s slender drooping branches are set closely with scale-like dark green leaves that form flat, graceful lacy sprays. A fragrant tree native from Northern California to Alaska and inland to Montana, Thuga plicata’s slender drooping branches are set closely with scale-like dark green leaves that form flat, graceful lacy sprays.

24. Ponderosa Pine

25. Map of geographical range of Ponderosa Pine.

26. A native of Western North America, Pinus ponderosa is recognized by its distinctive cinnamon-colored bark and three-needle leaf bundles. Uncut, it has a mild fragrance. Cones can be three to five inches in length with prickly tips on scales. Trees grow to 150 feet or more. A native of Western North America, Pinus ponderosa is recognized by its distinctive cinnamon-colored bark and three-needle leaf bundles. Uncut, it has a mild fragrance. Cones can be three to five inches in length with prickly tips on scales. Trees grow to 150 feet or more.

27. Colorado Blue Spruce

28. Map of geographical range of Colorado Blue Spruce

29. Native only to the Rocky Mountains states, Picea pungens is one of our most beautiful evergreens. It is a hardy tree with compact, dense foliage and a slow growth rate. Needles are single, very stiff and sharp pointed, angular or four-sided, 1 to 1-1/4 inches long, with a bluish color especially distinct on the new growth with a mild fragrance. Cones are light brown and cylindrical, very sharp and 2-1/2 to4-1/2 inches long. The bark is silvery gray-brown and composed of many thin scales divided into vertical ridges. Native only to the Rocky Mountains states, Picea pungens is one of our most beautiful evergreens. It is a hardy tree with compact, dense foliage and a slow growth rate. Needles are single, very stiff and sharp pointed, angular or four-sided, 1 to 1-1/4 inches long, with a bluish color especially distinct on the new growth with a mild fragrance. Cones are light brown and cylindrical, very sharp and 2-1/2 to4-1/2 inches long. The bark is silvery gray-brown and composed of many thin scales divided into vertical ridges.

30. Western Larch (Tamarack)

31. Map of geographical range of Western Larch

32. Having little fragrance and the appearance of slender pyramids with horizontal branches and drooping branchlets. Larix occidentalis is the only deciduous conifer, displaying yellow and orange fall color before dropping its leaves (needles) for the winter season.