Putting up a Christmas tree is one of the most common holiday traditions, and there are a lot of options for what to buy and where to buy it. Here’s a guide to finding the perfect Christmas tree based on different priorities — whether it be smell, size, durability, shopping local or some other feature that influences your decision the most.

People always ask which type of tree smells the best. Of course, fragrance is really a matter of opinion. You might also say any real tree smells better than a plastic tree. The best way to judge is to crush a needle between your fingers to really activate the smell, then see what you think.

Fir trees are generally thought to have a stronger, more pleasant fragrance than pines. Balsam, Douglas, and Fraser firs are the most fragrant. Noble and concolor firs also have some fragrance. However, you might enjoy the milder fragrance of Scotch or white pines. Spruce (a less common Christmas tree option) is generally thought to have an unpleasant odor.

The size of the Christmas tree depends more on availability where you are shopping than on species. Christmas tree farms may limit the size of trees they sell to ensure future crops or to produce a few especially large trees. Extra small trees have been popular the last few years. Set them on a tabletop if space is limited, or use it as a kitchen tree or other second tree. If you are looking for an extra-large tree, shop early or check with local farms first.

For durability, getting a freshly cut tree from a local farm ensures that the tree will stay green and healthy through the holidays. However, as long as a fresh cut is made on the trunk end of the tree and the tree is placed in warm water immediately after, any real Christmas tree should make it through the end of the year and probably months after.

Another consideration for durability is needle retention. This is where Scotch and white pine win over the array of firs. Their needles are also larger, so they are easier to pick up and dispose of if a few do fall.

Where you wish to buy the tree might also influence your decision. Local Christmas tree farms grow mostly Scotch and white pines, with a few Austrian pines in the mix. These species perform better than firs in the Midwest. Scotch pine is also one of the most popular species of Christmas trees in the U.S.

Besides fresh trees, local Christmas tree farms offer an experience including hayrides, picking the tree out of the field, and warm apple cider. There are only three farms to choose from in the Lawrence area these days. They are Evening Star Pines, 9820 Evening Star Road, Eudora; Prairie Elf Christmas Trees, 765 East 750 Road, Lawrence; and Strawberry Hill Christmas Tree Farm, 794 U.S. Highway 40, Lawrence.

The next best thing to supporting a local farm is supporting a local organization. The Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club sells trees in the parking lot of Hy-Vee, 4000 W. Sixth St., and the Lawrence-Luncheon Optimist Club sells trees in the parking lot of Checkers, 2300 Louisiana St., Lawrence. Optimist Clubs support local youth programs. These trees are usually a mix of pines and firs and are very similar to what you will find at local retailers.

There are a lot of other reasons why shoppers choose certain trees – perhaps they want a tree reminiscent of Charlie Brown’s because it holds a special memory, or maybe they want a certain species because of family tradition. Whatever the reason, remember to take a deep breath of that fresh Christmas tree air every chance you get.

— Jennifer Smith is a former horticulture extension agent for K-State Research and Extension and horticulturist for Lawrence Parks and Recreation. She is the host of “The Garden Show.”