It's been a 40+ year tradition for us to cut a Christmas tree from our mountain property, but a couple times we've taken trees with Forest Service permits. It's a good experience to get out in the forest, watch wildlife and have a real life connection to the tree in the family room. I've also used it as a way to thin crowded clusters of trees for forest health. I almost always select a Sub-alpine Fir, but have taken a couple Douglas Fir and one Pinyon Pine from USFS land. Pinyons are more sappy, and remember that "firs are friendly, spruce are sharp", which refers to the soft fir or sharp spruce needles. I like the feel of soft fir branches, and easier for hanging lights and ornaments.

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We have high ceilings so our decorated trees are 11-16 ft. high. Because we always have the tree next to a wall, it's okay to choose one that's a little sparse of branches on one side. Charlie Brown trees can look fine if placed right. Last year I salvaged a White Fir from the Grand Mesa that had recently blown down and took the top 12 ft. of a 30 ft. tree. It was perfect.