How Tos & Expert Tips

Choosing an Artificial Christmas Tree: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

Christmas trees play a big part in our favorite holiday traditions. We decorate, open gifts, and celebrate with friends and family around the tree. It’s important to have one that not only suits your style, but also stands tall season after season. In this guide, we show you how to choose the best artificial Christmas tree for your home. 

Sizing

Artificial Christmas trees come in various sizes and shapes. To narrow down your options, choose a spot to determine if you have space for a small Christmas tree or a tall one. 

Height

A good rule of thumb is to have at least 6 inches between the top of your tree and the ceiling. This also accounts for a topper or any decorative stand that adds height to the tree. So, if you have the standard 9-foot ceiling and a 12-inch angel topper, you’d want a 7.5-foot Christmas tree. We measure our trees from the stand to the topmost tip. 

artificial Christmas tree sizes

Under 6 feet
Miniature trees for tabletops, bedrooms, kid’s rooms, and small spaces 

8 to 9 feet
Ideal for rooms with high ceilings 

6 to 6½ feet 
Designed for areas with low ceilings 

10 to 14 feet 
Perfect for public spaces and vaulted ceilings 

7 to 7½ feet 
The best size for standard 8- to 9-foot ceilings 

15 feet and above 
Tall Christmas trees for grand displays 

Shape


A tree’s shape gives you a general idea how much room it takes up. Go for a wide, full tree if you have a spacious area and a narrow or slim one for limited spaces. Calculate your available floor space and check it against the dimensions on our site. We base these measurements on the widest point of the tree. 

full shaped Christmas tree

Full
The most popular shape, with the classic profile of natural Christmas trees (60″ diameter for 7.5′ BH Fraser Fir) 

narrow artificial christmas tree

Narrow 
Slender trees for smaller rooms and apartments (52″ diameter for 7.5′ BH Fraser Fir Narrow) 

slim Christmas tree

Slim
Our most compact trees, designed for tight spaces and corners (43″ diameter for 7.5′ Red Spruce Slim) 

Related Article: 
The Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Perfect Height & Shape

Realism


Going artificial doesn’t mean saying goodbye to the look and feel of your favorite tree. We design many of our trees after real species—from the shape and texture of the needles to the nuances in color. Best of all, they stay evergreen and need little to no maintenance. 

Needle Type

We categorize needle types according to the material used. PVC needles are flat and papery while polyethylene (PE) needles have more dimension. Some trees feature a combination of both—the more realistic the tree, the higher the PE count. Read the foliage details, look at close-up photos, or check our Branch Sample Kit to find out more. 

realistic Christmas tree needles

True Needle™
Created by Balsam Hill, these injection-molded PE needles mimic the structure, texture, and color variations of natural evergreens 

traditional pvc Christmas tree needles

Classic Needle
Soft, flat, and flexible PVC needles with a more classic artificial Christmas tree look 

Levels of Realism

Realism relates to the types of needles used in a tree. At Balsam Hill, we categorize our trees into three levels. 

Most realistic foliage with PE needles

Most Realistic 
Has more than 65% True Needle (PE) foliage for outstanding realism, with Classic Needles (PVC) near the trunk for added fullness 

realistic foliage with PE and PVC needles

Realistic 
Up to 65% True Needle (PE) foliage mixed with Classic Needle (PVC) for a great balance between realism and budget 

Traditional foliage with PVC needles

Traditional 
Our most cost-effective trees with 100% Classic Needle (PVC) foliage 

Species

Certain species may hold special meaning because they remind you of the Christmas tree you had growing up. That’s why we use nature as inspiration and create molds from real branch clippings to make highly realistic artificial Christmas trees. 

Fir 
Dense branches with flat and flexible needles sprouting individually from the stem (Featured: Balsam Fir) 

Most realistic foliage with PE needles

Spruce 
Rough branches with needles growing singly from the stem. Unlike firs, spruce needles have four sides and sharp points. (Featured: Vermont White Spruce) 

Pine 
Sparser branches around the trunk, with thin needles attached to the stem in clusters of two, three, or five (Featured: Rocky Mountain Pine) 

Color

Depending on the species, real trees come in different shades of green and the same is true for Balsam Hill trees. For instance, the blue spruce has blue-green needles while the noble fir has a gray tint to it. Some trees are also multi-toned like the fraser fir with its dark green tips and silver undersides.  

Pine bough

Green 
Well-loved green trees in various hues depending on the species 

white Christmas tree branches

White 
White branches to make your ornaments pop 

frosted Christmas tree foliage

Frosted  
Lightly flocked trees with a dusting of faux snow 

Branch Sample Kit


Still can’t decide which tree to buy? See and feel the branches for yourself with our Branch  Sample Kit. Each box has 25 branch samples of our best-selling trees and includes a coupon code that you can use as credit toward your first tree order. 

Related Article: 
Realistic vs Traditional: The Best Artificial Christmas Tree Styles Explained 

Lights

Christmas tree lights

Lights bring your Christmas tree to life even without decorations. If you prefer to string your own lights, you need at least 100 lights per foot of the tree. Double or triple the amount if you love the look of brighter, more intense lights on your tree. 

Pre-lit vs Unlit Christmas Trees

pre-lit versus unlit Christmas tree

Our pre-lit Christmas trees make assembly quick and easy. Balsam Hill’s lights are hand strung to provide optimal coverage while keeping wires from showing. We use premium commercial-grade lights so that even if one bulb burns out or is removed, the rest stay lit. 

On the other hand, unlit trees give you the freedom to experiment with lights. For easier set-up, we offer select trees with Simple String technology. Just plug in compatible light strings of your choice, and you have a custom pre-lit tree for next year. (Available on the Vermont White Spruce Flip Tree and Mariana Spruce.)

Types

Pre-lit artificial trees come with either incandescent or LED lights, which differ in efficiency and longevity. LED lights consume less electricity and produce less heat than incandescent bulbs. While other LED lights often have a blue tone, Balsam Hill’s Candlelight™ LEDs are designed to provide the warm hue of incandescent lights. 

clear lights on tree

Incandescent Lights   
Traditional Christmas lights that cast a clear glow and have low initial costs. Offered in ClearMulti, and Color + Clear™, our incandescent-lit trees use UL-Listed lights that last 3,300 hours or more. 

Artificial Christmas tree with micro LED lights

LED Lights  
Energy-efficient lights that won’t burn out so your tree shines bright for many years. Choose from Candlelight™ LEDMulti LED, and Color + Clear LED on most tree types, or our Fairy LightsMicro LEDs, and UltraBright Clear Micro LEDs on some of our latest trees.  

Multicolored twinkly lights on tree

Specialty LED 
This includes our new Twinkly Light Show and Fiber Optic Light Show which let you choose from pre-set options or customize the effects.

Color

The color of your lights makes the difference between a cozy feel and a festive display. Choose one over the other or customize it to your mood.  

Tree with clear lights

Clear
The classic glow of candlelight  

Christmas tree with multicolored LED lights

Multi
A bright mix of colored lights 

Color and clear lights on tree

Color + Clear
Exclusive lights that let you switch from clear to multicolored to both, and give you 30% more coverage 

Multicolored fiber optic Christmas tree lights

Light Show
Animated lights that create a stunning display

Control Type

Manage your Christmas tree lights with easy-to-use controls that vary from a simple foot pedal to an innovative app. We also offer battery-operated potted trees for flexible decorating. 

Learn more in our ultimate Christmas Tree Light Guide.

Related Article:
The Tangle-Free, How-To Guide for Hanging Christmas Lights 

Set-up

easy set-up artificial Christmas tree

Save time and energy for things that matter most with features that simplify your Christmas tree assembly. Our trees are designed with hinged branches that fan out and in for quick set-up and storage. We also include a sturdy metal stand with rubber feet to keep your floor clean and beautiful. 

All artificial Christmas trees are compressed for shipping, so you need to fluff the branches to make them look fuller. Watch this video on how to shape your Balsam Hill tree and this one for tips and tricks on shaping individual branches

To make set-up even easier, we’ve incorporated exclusive technology in our premium artificial Christmas trees: 

Flip Trees™


No more heavy lifting—just wheel the tree base into place on a built-in rolling stand, easily flip it over, and attach the smaller treetop.

Easy Plug™


Light strings automatically connect through the trunk, so the only plug you need is the one that goes into the wall. Included on all pre-lit Flip and Pre-Fluffed trees.

Pre-Fluffed™

Each tree is professionally hand-shaped prior to shipping. Strong memory wire branches fan out as you set up, so fluffing takes less time. All Pre-Fluffed trees come with Easy Plug.

Related Article: 
Must-Read, Expert Guide to Assembling Your Artificial Christmas Tree

Other Considerations

Christmas tree decorations

Aside from the technical factors above, here are other things to look into when choosing your artificial Christmas tree:  

Price Range 

Artificial Christmas trees often cost more than real trees because they last season after season. Find one that suits your budget, from slim space-savers to tall, highly realistic trees. Prices vary based on tree size, needle composition, light types, and set-up features. 

Key Decorations

Christmas tree decorations

All Balsam Hill trees are made with sturdy, flexible branches to support ornaments of various size and weight. You can layer assorted decorations, use ribbons, and fill gaps with picks. Visit our Decorating Idea Center for inspiration. 

Christmas Tree Toppers

angel tree topper

If using a tree topper, make sure there’s at least 6 inches of clearance from the top of the tree topper and your ceiling. Our trees have a strong top branch tip to secure your topper. For heavier toppers, use a tree top stabilization kit. 

Tree Skirts, Collars, & Stands

Choose a tree skirt that’s at least 6 inches bigger than the full width of the tree. It should completely cover the stand and be larger than the entire diameter of the base of your tree. 

textured Christmas tree collar

If you want an alternative, tree collars and stands are ideal. Collars latch around the base, while decorative stands replace the base and support the weight of your tree. Compatibility depends on the tree height and pole diameter, so double check the specifications to make sure it fits. 

Care & Storage

Store your tree in a cool, dry place to keep it in good condition. Storage bags are recommended to keep dust and the elements from harming your tree. All Balsam Hill trees come with a light-weight bag/s for easy storage year after year. Watch this video for tips on how to properly store your Easy Plug tree:

Best Time to Buy an Artificial Christmas Tree 

Artificial trees are sold all year long, but you’ll find the best deals during major shopping days such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can also take advantage of post-Christmas clearance sales and Christmas in July. For updates on promos and exclusive discounts, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.  

Related Articles: 
Christmas Tree Decorations: The Ultimate Guide
How to Store Your Christmas Decorations 

Our Commitment

artificial Christmas tree with decorations

At Balsam Hill, we help you create memorable celebrations—starting with center piece of your Holiday, your tree. It’s our mission to give you the best artificial Christmas tree for your home, so we offer a wide variety of options to suit your needs. We design and produce each of our trees ourselves from tip to trunk, bringing our attention to detail to every tree we make. 

Welcome Kit 

Each tree comes with a lightweight premium steel stand, soft cotton gloves for fluffing, and storage bag/s for the off-season. Pre-lit trees are also shipped with extra bulbs and fuses. 

Warranty 

Enjoy a 3-year warranty on all non-clearance trees. This covers the quality of tree frame, foliage, hinges, stand, and repair or replacement of lights on pre-lit trees. Learn more here

Free Shipping 

Get your tree delivered right to your door at no cost within the contiguous US. Rather than packing our large trees in one giant container, we ship them to you in several smaller packages for easier unboxing. 

Learn more: 
The Balsam Hill Difference 

Need Help? 

We hope this guide helped you narrow down the right artificial Christmas tree for your home. For any questions or concerns, contact us here. Merry Christmas! 

artificial Christmas tree infographic
artificial Christmas tree quiz

4 Comments

  1. Manuel & Amalia Neri Reply

    We bought our tree last year and we are absolutely satisfied with it. Worth every dollar $1,700 .00 . Love my 🌲💯 I definitely will purchase more items 😊 so many beautiful choices 😍

  2. Al Auchmoody Reply

    I’m 82 years years of age . Just too relate time in history Dad and family wood
    spend a Saturday looking for a Blue Spruce tree. Quite a few times we had to
    do our looking In the Catskiils Mountins, we lived in the foot hills.But now i am
    .N. C. And the old leg don’t work likes when we were younger

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