What Size Christmas Tree Do You Need? A Ceiling and Room Guide

For most rooms, pick a tree about 1 to 2 feet shorter than your ceiling. That leaves space for the stand, a topper and a little breathing room at the top. With a standard 8 ft ceiling, that usually means a tree around 6 to 7 ft tall.

Height is only half of it, though. A tree also needs floor space, and a full fir can be wider than you'd think. Here's how to measure both before you order.

How do you measure for a Christmas tree?

Grab a tape measure and check three things where the tree will actually stand:

1. Ceiling height. Measure from the floor to the ceiling at that exact spot. If you have beams, measure to the bottom of the beam. If the ceiling slopes, measure where the top of the tree will be, not the highest point in the room.
2. Floor space. Measure how wide and how deep the spot is. Note what's nearby: a couch, a doorway, a heater, a bookshelf.
3. The way in. Check the front door, any tight turns, the stairs, and the elevator if you live in an apartment building. A tall tree has to reach the room before it can stand in it.

How tall should a Christmas tree be for your ceiling?

Start with your ceiling height and take off three things:

• The stand. Most stands lift the tree a few inches off the floor.
• The topper. A star or angel often adds 6 to 12 inches. Measure yours.
• Clearance. Leave at least a few inches between the top of the topper and the ceiling. It looks better, and it's much easier to get the topper on.

A tree's listed height is usually measured from the bottom of the trunk to the tip. It doesn't include the stand or the topper. Here's a simple chart. It assumes a regular stand and a medium topper. If your topper is tall, go a little shorter.

• 7 ft ceiling: a 5 to 6 ft tree
• 8 ft ceiling: a 6 to 7 ft tree
• 9 ft ceiling: a 7 to 8 ft tree
• 10 ft ceiling: an 8 to 9 ft tree
• 11 to 12 ft ceiling: a 9 to 10 ft tree

Why does width matter as much as height?

A Christmas tree is shaped like a cone, and the bottom branches are the widest part. A full 7 ft tree can easily be 4 to 5 ft across at the bottom. In a small apartment living room, that can eat up the space between the couch and the TV.

When you measure your floor space, leave room to walk around the tree, open nearby doors and reach an outlet for the lights. Keep it away from heaters and vents, too. Our guide to keeping a Christmas tree fresh in LA explains why that matters here.

If the spot is narrow, a shorter tree is often the better choice. It'll look right in the room instead of crowded.

Noble fir or Douglas fir: which fits your room?

We deliver two kinds of real tree, and they take up space differently.

• Noble fir has an open, layered shape with space between the tiers of branches. The branches are stiff and hold heavy ornaments well. That openness can make it feel a little lighter in a smaller room.
• Douglas fir is full and bushy, with soft needles and that classic sweet smell. It fills a corner nicely, but at the same height it can feel bigger and take up more visual space.

Neither one is the wrong answer. If floor space is tight, just remember that a fuller tree reads larger. You can compare both on our Christmas trees page.

What ceiling heights are common in LA homes?

Every home is different, so always measure. But a few patterns come up a lot around here.

• Apartments and condos. Many have 8 ft ceilings, and some are lower in spots, like hallways or under soffits. A 6 to 7 ft tree is usually right.
• Postwar houses. Lots of the ranch houses and small homes built after the war have 8 ft ceilings, too.
• Spanish revival homes. Living rooms in older Spanish-style houses are often taller, sometimes with beams or a peaked ceiling. Measure under the beam where the tree will stand, not at the peak.
• Craftsman homes. Some have beamed living room ceilings. The beams hang lower than the ceiling between them, so measure to the bottom of the beam over your tree spot.

Neighborhoods like Pasadena, Glendale and Eagle Rock have a mix of all of these, sometimes on the same street. Two houses next door to each other can need very different trees.

What does a taller tree mean for setup and stands?

Our bring inside and set up service covers trees up to 7 ft. We protect the floor, put the tree in its stand, get it straight, add water and sweep up the needles. Setup is $198 within 5 driving miles of our Glendale pickup point, and $248 for over 5 and up to 10 driving miles. We confirm the exact driving miles when you order.

A tree over 7 ft is a bigger lift, so it gets a small extra charge. Stairs and tight access do, too. Dana always quotes any extra before you pay, so the total you approve is the total.

With door drop-off ($98 or $148 by distance), you put the tree in the stand yourself. A tall fir is heavy and awkward to stand up alone, so it's easier with two people.

Stairs, halls and elevators

Think about the path from the curb to the room, not just the room. A tall tree needs space to turn at the top of a staircase or at the end of a narrow hall. In some apartment buildings, it won't fit standing up in a small elevator, so it has to ride on its side or go up the stairs. Hillside homes with long outdoor steps are their own project. If any of this sounds like your place, tell us when you order. It may add a small extra charge, and Dana quotes it before you pay.

Stand sizes

The stand has to match the tree's height and trunk, and it has to hold enough water. Our optional stands come in three sizes:

• Up to 6 ft tree: $40
• Up to 8 ft tree: $55
• Up to 10 ft tree: $70

If you already have a stand, make sure it fits the trunk and holds plenty of water. A stand that's too small can run dry quickly. The full breakdown is on our pricing page.

Ready to pick a tree?

Once you've measured, tell us roughly what height you want when you order. Dana sends photos of real, numbered trees, each with its type, height and price, and you pick yours by number. If you've got an unusual ceiling or a tight spot, mention it then. It helps us plan the delivery.