Buying an Artificial Christmas Tree

After you’ve made that important decision, you must also consider appearance, convenience, and safety when buying an artificial Christmas tree.

Appearance

Shape, profile, and needles are the three key appearance-related factors to consider when buying an artificial Christmas tree.

Shape

Artificial Christmas trees are produced in full, medium, and slim shapes. These designations are not an official industry standard, so the names and sizes will vary depending on the manufacturer involved.

Full trees are the traditional cone-shaped tree, tapering from a wide base to the point. Medium trees have a narrower base, and slim or pencil trees are the narrowest.

You can choose a shape that will fit the space available in your house. When you're buying an artificial Christmas tree, keep in mind that the slim trees often look even thinner at home than they do in the store!

Profile

Artificial trees have consistent profiles when viewed at any angle. You can choose the profile that you prefer: smooth, layered, or in-and-out. The smooth profile is the traditional inverted cone, like that found on heavily-pruned pine trees. Layered outlines are particular good for displaying a large number of ornaments.

Needles

Today, the needles of most artificial trees are made from PE (polyethylene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

PVC needle production starts with gluing several thin sheets, called plies, of PVC together. Additional plies result in a stronger and more rigid needle. High quality needles have two or three plies, each ten to twelve microns thick.

Recent improvements in manufacturing technology have made it possible for flame-retardant PVC needles to be produced. Low-end PVC is produced using older technology and is not flame-retardant.

PE needles are produced by an injected molding system to create a cluster of branches and needles. Real tree branches are used as forms to create the molds, so PE trees have a remarkably life-like appearance. High-quality molded branches and needles have a gently rounded surface with few rough edges.

Retailers often rate trees by the number of branch tips, but the appearance of the needles is even more important in creating a beautiful tree. When you're buying an artificial Christmas tree, look for graceful needles and good branch tip shape.

Convenience

Height, branch construction, and storage are important factors to consider when debating the convenience of your artificial Christmas tree.

Height

Your tree should be at least six inches shorter than your ceiling height, so that you will have room for a treetop ornament. Keep in mind that a tall tree must be very sturdy. Not only will a tall tree have more branches and larger branches at the base than a small one, it will also hold many more ornaments. The construction must be sturdy enough to support that weight.

A smaller tree can be placed on a sturdy wooden box to create more height without adding weight. This also leaves more room for gifts or a display area under the tree!

Branch Construction

Older artificial trees usually connected branches to the center pole with the hook-in or stick method. Branches were inserted into the center pole, with larger branches placed at the bottom of the tree and smaller branches at the top. These trees were time-consuming to assemble and disassemble.

Today, most trees use a hinged branch construction. Each branch is permanently connected to the center pole with a metal or plastic hinge. These trees are extremely simple to set up and take down. Lights can be attached permanently.

Remember, convenience is really important when you are buying an artificial Christmas tree!

Storage

An artificial tree must be stored properly to avoid damage. The original shipping box is too small for annual storage. Specially made storage bags are the best choice.

Safety

Pay attention to the center pole, weight distribution, tree stand, and lights to choose a safe artificial Christmas tree.

Center Pole

Most residential trees have a single metal pole in the center of the tree. All the branches connect to this pole. This method is satisfactory for trees up to 12 or 14 feet tall.

Small trees sometimes have plastic center poles. These won’t bear much weight, so they are only suitable for very small trees, such as tabletop ornaments.

Artificial Christmas trees taller than 14 feet usually have a frame construction, like a jungle gym. Branches are attached to the frame, and the frame can be bolted to a base. This is the best construction for an outdoor tree.

Some artificial trees have wooden center poles, which require careful engineering. These are likely to be less available in the U.S. in the future, since the wood sometimes carries longhorn beetles into the country. All trees with wood center poles are examined by customs inspectors, and many are returned to their country of origin.

Weight Distribution

The weight of the branches must be evenly distributed over the center pole or the frame of the tree. This is a critical safety consideration. It is especially important for outdoor trees or trees in homes with small children or pets.

Tree Stand

The stand must be strong enough to hold the weight of the artificial Christmas tree and the weight of the ornaments firmly in place. Plastic stands are only suitable for trees about two feet tall. Other trees should be placed in a sturdy stand made from quality steel with strong welds or rivets.

Lights

Any lights used on an artificial Christmas tree should be UL listed. Those with non-twist light sockets are best, so that if one bulb burns out, the entire string of lights remains lit. Mini-lights should have a warranty that lasts for three years or 3000 hours.

Artificial Christmas trees with pre-strung lights became available in the late 1990s. Inexpensive trees often have the lights simply twisted around the branches, which can become unsafe over time. Lights should be attached to the branches with a safety clip.

Some artificial trees are lit by fiber optics, with the light in the base of the tree and a rotating color wheel that lets a sequence of colors shimmer across the tree.