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Faux greenery that looks just like the real deal.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Slim or flat-back trees, on the other hand, work wonders for tighter spaces without sacrificing style.
Plus, we judged them onappearance,stability, andoverall value.
The base is on the flimsy side and the bulbs arent replaceable.
Credit: Dillard’s
Putting the tree together took all of 10 minutes, with very minimal effort.
The parts connected easily and only the top portion required (minor) fluffing.
The branches held the ornaments well and could accommodateornaments of all different sizes.
Putting the Southern Living Cashmere Christmas Tree together took only 10 minutes, as the parts connected easily.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Instead of a remote, theres a foot pedal to turn thewarm white LED lightson and off.
For the best deals, we recommend shopping earlyaround Labor Day and throughout Septemberor after Christmas.
Because of the size, storage might be cumbersome.
Even up close, we felt that most people would be fooled into thinking its real.
Putting the tree together required clipping three labeled sections together.
Any lingering bare spots were non-existent once weadded the ornaments, which didnt compromise the stability of the tree.
That said, the scrawny top branch was unable to support our topper.
Each part has to be manually plugged in for the lights to work.
you’re free to choose from several heightsas small as 4.5 feet, going up to 9 feet.
To create a snowy effect, heavyflocking is appliedaround the tree.
We noticed that the longer branches had more flocking than shorter branches, creating more depth.
As beautiful as flocking is, its also notorious for shedding anddropping glitter all overthe place.
While we did experience some shedding with this tree, it was not nearly as much as other options.
It took just 7 minutes and 32 seconds to completely assemble the tree (no instructions necessary!
), and an even faster 1 minute and 33 seconds to disassemble it.
Even afterhanging the topperand ornaments, the tree remained entirely stable.
Plus, it takes just minutes to set up and requires minimal fluffing.
If you love the look of flocking, opt for thePuleo International Pre-Lit Flocked Portland Pine Pencil Tree.
It sheds less than other flocked options.
For each one, we timed the assembly, including fluffing.
If a particular tree was flocked, we noted whether any of the snow fell off.
This gives a bit of breathing room while still maximizing height, she explains.
Keep in mind that for fuller trees, the higher you go, the wider the diameter will be.
Tree jot down
Think all trees with needles are the same?
There are three primaryartificial Christmas tree types: fir, spruce, and pine.
Because of this, its no surprise that people love the authentic Christmas-y look of artificial firs so much.
Spruce trees are known for their dense, sharp needles that will quickly shed without proper watering.
This is a solid option for those seeking a more rustic appearance.
However, Stietenroth recommends something pre-lit that brings an extra layer of convenience and polish.
Now the question is, white or colored?
Credit: Balsam Hill
If youre a house divided between classic warmth orvibrant holiday colors, make the decision easy by includingallthe lights.
Many of the pre-lit variations come with a light show of changeable configs to match your mood or theme.
PVC trees are a more budget-friendly option and come in in various shapes and sizes, explains Stietenroth.
The Balsam Hill Sanibel Spruce Artificial Tree took us more time to fluff, but it was worth it for the realistic results.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
The one thing to keep in mind is that they tend to be pricier.
Its absolutely worth the time and effort, it makes such a difference.
We liked theNational Tree Company version, which is eye-catching and sturdy (at an affordable price).
Though the lights were evenly distributed, we did wish there were more of them.
However, the flocking was messy and it did require two people to put it into storage.
Your Questions, Answered
Are expensive artificial Christmas trees worth it?
An artificial tree will last for several years as long as you put it away correctly, says Patton.
Thomas saysproper storage is keyto keeping an artificial tree around season after season.
Also, remember to unplug the tree when not in use to preserve the longevity of the lights.
Youre not a Grinch if youve decided to go with a more budget-friendly model, though.
Regardless of expense, artificial trees will typically last several years, says Thomas.
How long should an artificial Christmas tree last?
With proper care, Stietenroth says, most artificial trees last anywhere from six to 10 years.
Stietenroth recommends keeping an eye on the light strands and replacing any that show wear.
Credit: Amazon
While we experienced some shedding from the flocking on the Puleo International Portland Pine Tree, it wasn’t as bad as other options.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
In our lab, we timed the assembly of each tree (including fluffing of branches).Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
A white Christms tree is an eye-catching option, though not as realistic as natural versions.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
We fully decorated each tree to see how well it supported ornaments and the all-important topper.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
