Which Christmas trees smell the strongest
| Tree | What extension and growers' guides say about the scent |
|---|---|
| Balsam fir | Fragrant, and keeps its fragrance through the season. |
| Fraser fir | A pleasant scent; grouped with balsam for its spicy, resinous fragrance. |
| Douglas-fir | Sweet and citrusy, with one of the best aromas of any Christmas tree when the needles are crushed. |
| Concolor (white) fir and grand fir | Citrus. |
| Pines | It depends on the pine: Virginia pine has a strong pine scent, while eastern white pine has little or none. |
| White spruce | The crushed needles smell unpleasant. |
So the smell most people picture is a fir, and balsam and Fraser fir above all.
What to look for on a candle label
- Balsam fir, fir needle or Fraser fir near the start of the notes. That's the tree itself.
- Cedar or other woods underneath give it the smell of branches and trunk as well as needles.
- Cinnamon, clove, orange or vanilla make it a Christmas blend: the tree plus the kitchen. That can be lovely, but it won't smell like a tree on its own.
- Read the notes, not the name. "Christmas" or "Holiday" on a label can mean anything from evergreen to sugar cookie.
Our pick: Fresh Balsam
We make candles, so weigh our pick accordingly. Fresh-cut fir and balsam with cedar underneath and a cool, clean lift of eucalyptus. It smells like the day you bring the tree home. The notes are fir, balsam and cedar, and it comes in all four sizes, from $16. Shop Fresh Balsam.
If you'd like spice alongside the tree, burn it with Cinnamon & Vanilla or Comfort Spice on another night. All three are in our Christmas candles.
How to make an artificial tree smell real
- Burn a fir candle in the same room, on a stable surface at least 12 inches from the tree, garland, wrapping paper and anything else that can burn. Never set one on or under the branches, and don't leave it burning when you leave the room.
- Add some real fir. A balsam wreath or a few cut boughs bring the real thing; balsam boughs are aromatic enough that people stuff pillows with them.
- Crush a few needles on the boughs now and then. Crushed fir needles give off more scent.
More ideas for the rest of the house are in how to make your house smell good.
How to keep a real tree smelling fresh
Penn State Extension's guidance for keeping a cut tree's freshness and aroma comes down to water:
- Use a stand that holds about 1 quart of water per inch of trunk diameter; for most trees that's at least a gallon.
- If the tree was cut more than 12 hours ago, saw a ¼-inch disk straight off the base before it goes in the stand.
- Check the water every day, and don't let it drop below the base of the trunk. Plain water is all it needs.
- Keep it away from fireplaces, heaters, vents and direct sun.
Sources: University of Illinois Extension, Christmas tree species; Penn State Extension, tips for selection and care of cut Christmas trees; National Christmas Tree Association, balsam fir and Fraser fir; National Candle Association, fire safety.
— Colorado Candle Co.