Colorado Blue Spruce Christmas Tree Guide

Is the Colorado Blue Spruce a Good Christmas Tree?

If you’re trying to choose the best Christmas tree, check out our Best Christmas Tree guide. Among the many evergreens you’ll see on farms and lots, the Colorado Blue Spruce Christmas Tree stands out with its shimmering silver-blue needles and naturally pyramidal form.

Families who want a tree with real presence often gravitate toward the Blue Spruce. Its branches are stiff enough to hold heavier ornaments, and its color is so striking that it looks decorated even before the lights go on. The only caution? Its needles are sharp, so decorating may require a gentler touch (or even gloves).

Pros:

Unique silvery-blue to blue-green color
Strong branches hold heavier ornaments
Good needle retention compared to other spruces
Naturally symmetrical, classic Christmas tree shape

Cons:

Needles are stiff and sharp
Slower-growing, so often more expensive than faster species
Can be prone to fungal issues in warm, humid regions

Description & Common Characteristics of the Colorado Blue Spruce

The Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is sometimes called “silver spruce” or simply “blue spruce,” and it earns its name with foliage that glows from silvery green to an icy blue under holiday lights. Its stiff, four-sided needles measure about 1–1½ inches long and are carried on densely packed branches that rise in a natural pyramid shape.

In youth, the tree’s form is nearly picture-perfect, with dense branches sweeping low toward the ground — exactly what families picture when they dream of a Christmas tree outing. The sharpness of its needles explains its Latin name pungens, meaning “sharp.”

While firs like the Fraser or balsam are known for their soft touch, the Blue Spruce trades softness for strength and sparkle — quite different from the long, flexible needles of a White Pine or the shorter, denser foliage of a White Spruce.

Beyond its Christmas use, the Blue Spruce has a long history in North America. Native to the central Rocky Mountains, it was adopted as Colorado’s official state tree in 1939. Early settlers admired its durability in harsh climates, and over time, it became one of the most popular ornamental evergreens planted across the United States and Canada.

Needle Retention & Fragrance

“How long will it last indoors?” For a spruce, the Colorado Blue Spruce performs surprisingly well. With proper care, you can expect 3–4 weeks of good needle retention. While its fragrance is milder than balsam or Fraser fir, it still provides a fresh, resinous evergreen scent that pairs beautifully with holiday traditions.

Where Do Colorado Blue Spruce Christmas Trees Grow?

In the wild, Colorado Blue Spruce thrives along mountain streams and cool slopes from Wyoming and Utah down through Colorado and New Mexico, usually at elevations between 6,000 and 11,000 feet. Today, it’s grown far beyond the Rockies. Farms across the northern United States, the upper Midwest, and Canadian provinces such as Québec and Ontario cultivate Blue Spruce because it adapts well to cooler climates and offers that distinctive blue color families love.

It doesn’t tolerate extreme heat or heavy humidity well, so you’re less likely to find it grown in the Southeast. In fact, if you’re from a warm region, you may notice more resilient choices on the lot — like Scotch Pine or Leyland Cypress — but in colder climates, Blue Spruce remains a reliable favorite.

How Much Does a Colorado Blue Spruce Christmas Tree Cost?

Because Blue Spruce grows more slowly than some pines and firs, it often commands a higher price. On most farms, expect to pay:

Small (4–5 ft): $40–$70
Medium (6–7 ft): $70–$120
Large (8–10 ft): $120–$200+

Choose-and-cut farms may offer more competitive pricing compared to pre-cut trees shipped to urban lots. If you’re lucky enough to live near a farm that grows Blue Spruce, you’ll also get the freshest tree possible — and a more intense blue color than many of the pre-cut options.

How to Care for a Colorado Blue Spruce Christmas Tree

Want your Blue Spruce to shine all season long? Follow this checklist:

Make a fresh cut — Saw ½ inch off the base before placing it in the stand.
Keep it watered — Never let the stand run dry; check daily.
Pick the right spot — Place away from fireplaces, vents, and direct sun.
Handle with care — The needles are sharp; gloves can help when stringing lights.
Monitor for freshness — With good watering, your tree should last 3–4 weeks indoors.

Where to Find a Colorado Blue Spruce Christmas Tree Near You

Ready to bring one home? Farms across North America grow this striking tree, and many offer a choose-and-cut experience where the natural blue color is most vivid. Find local farms in our Christmas tree farms directory. Whether you want to bundle up for a U-cut adventure or simply bring home a pre-cut tree, the Colorado Blue Spruce is an unforgettable centerpiece for your holiday season.