The Best Christmas Artificial Tree

Buying Guide

When the temperature starts dropping and the trees turn yellow, you know that the holidays are just around the corner. Celebrations with family and friends will warm your heart, but all of the preparation can bring out anyone’s Grinch-y side. A quick way to reduce holiday stress is by investing in an artificial holiday tree.

Artificial trees got a bad rap for years, but today’s options look just as gorgeous as a real tree — without the heft and hassle. Instead of spending hours finding the perfect tree, sawing the stump down to size, strapping it to the hood of your car and driving it home, you can order a perfectly sized tree online with a few clicks. You also don’t need to worry about keeping your artificial tree watered, sweeping up pine needles or dealing with sticky tree sap. 

Modern artificial trees have a metal base and frame, with a center pole up the middle and metal arms reaching out to the sides. The pole and arms are painted to add depth and realism. The “needles” are constructed from green PVC or polyethylene, and they’re customized depending on what type of tree they’re supposed to mimic. A quick spray of white latex paint creates a light dusting of “snow” on fake trees. Manufacturers add on strings of LED lights on some trees to create a more festive look. 

It’s fairly simple to assemble an artificial tree. After removing the tree from the box, find the stand and plant it wherever you’d like. Some stands have hinged arms, some come as one piece and some have rolling wheels or an electric motor to spin your tree. Make sure the stand is sturdy and that the arms are locked in place (usually in an X shape).

Your tree’s instructions should tell you which section of the center pole goes into the stand first. After you’ve inserted the first section, continue inserting sections until you reach the top of the tree. You may need a screwdriver or wrench to insert screws or tighten bolts. 

Pop out the branch arms and fluff the tree’s artificial needles. Most trees need to sit for about an hour for the needles to puff up and reach their full size. 

From there, you can turn on any included lights (or add your own) and decorate your tree with ornaments, ribbons and garlands.

When the season is over, remove any decorations from your tree and unplug any included lights. Almost all artificial trees have hinged arms and a folding base for easy storage. The base, center pole and arms should fit easily into the original packaging. Some companies offer specialty storage bags to keep your tree in like-new shape all year round.

• Artificial trees come in different colors, shapes and sizes. Most of them are modeled after real-life trees, like spruces, pines and firs. Larger “pine trees” create a gorgeous traditional style for any celebration, while tall, thin trees are ideal for smaller rooms.
• Most artificial trees look fairly realistic from a distance, but you might notice a difference when you stand closer. The level of realism depends on what your tree’s “needles” are made from. PVC needles are the norm, but they can look a bit flat. Polyethylene (or PE) needles have a depth and 3D look that’s closer to a real tree. That’s because PE is injected into needle molds to create every arm of the tree, while PVC needles are cut into flat strips. A combination of PVC and PE needles, or just PE needles, will look the most realistic, but they also cost more.
• Make sure there’s plenty of room for your tree before you place it. If your space isn’t large enough you’ll wind up with bent branches or torn needles. Avoid placing it too closely to staircases or doors. 
• Include the diameter of your predicted haul of gifts when you measure the space for your tree. Make sure that there’s enough room for any train sets or standing decorations, too. 
• Check out your tree’s weight before you put it up. Don’t overdo it by setting up your tree on your own — larger trees require more than one person for assembly. You may also want a second person to make sure the tree is standing straight and level once it’s up. 
• You won’t need to worry about your dog lapping up water from the stand with an artificial tree, but they can still get into trouble. Consider buying a small fence to keep furry friends (or curious kids) away from your tree.
• Take extra safety steps if your tree has built-in LED lights. Avoid using extension cords (grounded power strips are okay) and keep water away from your tree.