Blue spruce does best on well-drained sandy soils, but it will grow on heavier clays. Its sharp needles can make the tree difficult to decorate, and its stiff foliage and rigid branching habit make it somewhat bulky and not well suited for long-distance transportation. Blue spruce has the best needle retention of the spruces. Native to the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States, it is considered by many in the west and north to be a premium Christmas tree species and has been widely planted in those regions. Douglas fir is similar in growth form and appearance to the spruces.
Terminal buds are a very prominent reddish brown.
Northern and western growers have found that Douglas fir can be developed into a high-quality Christmas tree on the proper site using proper seed or seed origin. Stock from sources in Arizona and New Mexico are reported to grow the fastest and have dark green foliage, while sources in northern Idaho and adjacent British Columbia supposedly grow as fast with less frost susceptibility. Rotations with stock from these sources have been reported to be seven to nine years. Douglas fir needs to be studied more closely in Virginia before it can be widely recommended to Virginia growers for Christmas tree production. Strains need to be evaluated for variability, frost susceptibility, and growth.