- Diameter: 32”
- Weight: 59.92 lbs
- Branch tips: Not listed
- Warranty: No
- Additional heights: 4.5′, 5′, 6′, 6.5′, 7′, 9′, 10′
- Light type: Incandescent
- Light count: Not listed
- Additional lighting options: N/A
Reviewer: Alyssa Marino Williams, AD Senior Video Producer
How easy was it to assemble your tree (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the easiest)? This tree was very easy to assemble, taking around 30 seconds, so I’d rate it a 10. The lights are already embedded into the branches and they’re separated into two parts—tags on the wires indicate which wires connect with each other and which should be plugged into the wall, but it’s also pretty self explanatory.
What was the quality of the tree packaging? Will you be able to store your tree for future years? Everything was packaged well—I appreciated how compactly the tree fits into its box. I’ll plan to store the tree in its original packaging during the off season: The cardboard box that housed all the pieces, and the base that was stored in a bag within the box (zero styrofoam—a plus by my account).
How long did it take to fluff and prepare your tree? Did you see a lot of needle loss in the process? I lost maybe 30 or so needles in the process, the fluffing took a few minutes and at its fullest, the tree didn’t get as filled out as I had hoped, but that’s what ornaments are for.
Did your tree come with lights or decor? If so, how easy was it to install? (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the easiest)? This prelit tree is very easy to install—so a 1 in terms of difficulty. The lights were already attached to the branches, and as I mentioned, the two segments just needed to be attached to each other before planting the assembled tree into the base. The two batches then just needed to be connected to one another and then plugged it into the wall. There were also tags on both sections that indicated which light set should go directly into the wall and which should be plugged into the other set.
Did your tree live up to your expectations and was the size accurate? This tree is perfectly sized to fit smaller spaces—its petite stature would make any corner look more festive. I plan to use the full-size Dunhill Fir in my main living room, and this tree elsewhere around my house. Perhaps in the primary bedroom or sunroom, but the verdict is still out!
How full is the tree (scale of 1-10, with 10 being the fullest)? On a fullness scale, I’d rate the tree an 8! I plan to fill the gaps with an assortment of ornaments and more lights.
How realistic is the tree? (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most realistic)? I’d rate this tree a 2/10 as far as how realistic it looks—it’s fairly obvious it’s not a real tree. I think for the price and the size it’s a fantastic value. It’s very festive, easy to install, and immediately puts the holiday spirit in the room.
Petite trees guarantee that even the most unassuming corners can be full-out festive during the holiday season. With its tiny stature, tester Alyssa Marino Williams appreciates that this spruce look-alike is easy to assemble and very portable, making it a cinch to move into rooms that needed more cheer. “[Tree setup takes] around 30 seconds,” she says. Instead of tangly string lights, the prelit option includes bulbs embedded into the branches that emit an elegant, even glow throughout the fake foliage. And as experts like Kendall Jenner’s holiday floral designer Jeff Leatham tell us, “Always, always, always go for pre-lit.” Fully fluffed, the branches weren’t as robust as Marino Williams hoped they would be, but fortunately that’s where decorations come in. “I plan to fill the gaps with an assortment of ornaments and more lights,” she says.
Comparing Our Top Picks
How We Reviewed the Trees and Why You Should Trust Us
We always research products thoroughly before including them, and test every single one. Our reviews are thorough, in-depth, and honest. We put ourselves in the shoes of the shopper (because most of the time, we are the ones shopping!), and make sure that we’re answering the questions that we would want answered in the buying process.
We favored natural-looking trees that are easy to set up. We also took shipping into account and tested trees that arrive not only in style, but with speed.
All trees that were reviewed were unboxed, set up (and lit up) by our contributors. They lived with trees and experienced all they had to offer firsthand, so that they could share the real deal with our readers.
Got Questions about Christmas Trees? We’ve Got Answers
What Size Christmas Tree Is Right for Me?
First and foremost, the height of your fake Christmas tree should depend on the height of your ceiling. A good rule of thumb is to keep your tree at least one-and-a-half feet lower than your ceiling, otherwise, it will look crowded. “I like to leave about six to12 inches between the top of the tree and the ceiling, so it feels intentional, not squeezed in,” says Shea McGee (more on the designer’s holiday advice below). Both McGee and Jeff Leatham, the floral designer who helped mastermind Kendall Jenner’s festive holiday house, agree that seven to eight feet hits a sweet spot in most homes. “The goal is balance: A tree that feels full and joyful but still lets the room breathe,” says McGee.
Who Should Buy Fake Christmas Trees?
Some people want to avoid the hassle (and extra cost) of buying a fresh tree each year, while others are allergic to real trees or are concerned about the fire safety hazard that comes along with real trees (they can become highly flammable as they dry out). Others (including people with pets) know that a real Christmas tree can be bait for disaster. Fresh or faux is really a matter of personal preference, and anyone who wants a fake Christmas tree should go for it. Leatham points out that in faux trees, the branches don’t drop, the coloring stays vibrant, and there’s often more structure to add extra ornaments.
Is It Better to Get a Pre-Lit Tree Or to Do It Yourself?
Choosing if you want your tree pre-lit is one of the first decisions you’ll make when navigating the vast artificial tree world. Pre-lit options are the preference of holiday decor gurus like Leatham. “Always, always, always go for prelit—it makes the tree look more full and realistic,” he tells us. Our editors like that pre-lit Christmas trees are convenient to set up (opposed to blindly garlanding string lights) and how they help guarantee your lighting scheme will look uniform. That said, drawbacks include potentially difficult repairs. While you can easily unstring removable lights to troubleshoot, built-in LEDs might pose bigger technical issues. On the other hand, stringing your own lights may be a more complex, time-consuming process, but you’ll ultimately have more control over which areas of your tree are spotlighted.
How Should You Decorate Your Christmas Tree?
You’ve gotten your tree up, fluffed the branches, and poured yourself a nice cup of hot cocoa or eggnog to celebrate—now comes the fun part: decorating. While there’s no right way to decorate your Christmas tree, we looked through our archives for some tips and tricks to give your setup some extra sparkle.
If your mentality is “more is more,” your holiday hero will be Kathy Hilton, who greeted AD back in 2021 with four artificial Christmas trees decked out with all the bells and whistles (emphasis on the bells). One tip we’d steal from Hilton is the idea that the decorations don’t have to go up all at once. “I normally start decorating in October, then keep adding until December,” says Hilton.
Kendall Jenner, on the other hand, favors a more traditional tree, dipped in nostalgic classics like tinsel, twinkle lights, and vintage Christopher Radko ornaments that were passed down by her mother, Kris. Her designer reveals that she even loves stringing popcorn for the tree and dried orange slices on garlands. “Every year, more and more of my clients want more traditional holiday decorations that they can invest in, collect, and pass on to other generations,” says Leatham. “I love that idea of seeing the same ornaments every year and having them bring back wonderful memories.” Since we have a feeling you have your own collection of heirloom Christmas decorations that have been collecting dust, we’d look to the supermodel for inspiration.
Color scheming your ornament display is one way to set yourself apart from the pack. “Red and green are traditional Christmas colors, but I love to break away from tradition and use bright jewel tones to create a dramatic and sophisticated look for the holiday season,” says Annie Sloan, color expert and creator of Chalk Paint. Stylist Dorcia Kelley of Kelle Miles Studio also suggests using a planter instead of a traditional tree stand or skirt for a modern look. “When hanging ornaments, you want to make sure you’re hanging it towards the end of the branch instead of right at the tip. This way, they’ll be more stable,” she says.
We also recommend playing with shapes, textures, and finishes to create as much interest as possible. AD’s perfect Christmas tree (pictured at the top of this article) features lots of vintage-inspired John Derian ornaments that bring on the kitsch, accented with classic ball ornaments in a range of sizes to create depth and dimension. A color palette of muted blue and bold metallic hues complement the deep green branches while slivers of silver tinsel add holiday pizzazz.
How Do You Fluff Your Tree?
Fluffing your artificial Christmas tree is the key to convincingly faking the real thing. Most of the time, your tree will arrive with all the branches up-turned straight out of the box, and you’ll first want to mount the tree in its stand or collar. Next comes the actual fluffing—as reviewer Pujah Shah mentioned, it’s a smart idea to wear some work gloves to avoid any pricking that might occur while you’re working through the branches. Starting at the bottom, you’ll fan the largest branches down, layer by layer, until you reach the very top (where the branches become much shorter). If your branches have smaller tips built in, we like the center-right-left method of starting toward the base of the tree and positioning the smaller tips first center, next towards the right, and lastly towards the left, until you’ve reached the end. After that, you’ll go branch by branch, noticing that your tree looks full and much more lush with each adjustment. Afterwards, all that’s left to do is make any minor fixes to eliminate bald spots and voila!
What’s the Best Real Christmas Tree to Buy?
Again, that’s completely a matter of personal preference. Trees come in a variety of hues, some with a dark green, some with a blue tint, and others with a bright shade. Some have spiky needles while others are soft to the touch. Trees vary by geographical region and what’s native to your area, but some of the most popular options used as Christmas trees across the U.S. include the Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, Douglas Fir, and Blue Spruce (all of which are available in faux varieties, as well!).
How Does the Lifetime Cost of a Faux Tree Compare to Annually Buying a Real Tree?
While how much your real Christmas tree costs will vary depending on its size as well as where you live in the United States, expect to spend anywhere from $40 to well over $100. In a few years, that running total will start to cost you, but with an artificial tree, you’ll pay the total cost up front. High-quality trees can also last you up to 15 years, making the sometimes extravagant price tags more digestible, especially in the later years when you’re no longer burdened with figuring out the logistics of strapping that netted Douglas Fir onto the car roof.
What Is Flocking and How Do You Do It?
Flocking refers to the process of dusting your artificial Christmas tree with a powdery white overcoat to mimic the appearance of fresh snowfall. Some trees—like the Yaheetech tree Brie Schwartz tested—come pre-flocked, but if you prefer a DIY moment, ready-to-flock sprays are also available at most big box retailers. We like Balsam Hill’s guide to flocking your tree, which details a recipe for homemade flocking, as well as all the safety precautions you’ll want to take: Like wearing protective gear, flocking in a well-ventilated environment, and ensuring you’re using non-hazardous materials. (Though if your budget allows, we think it might be best to invest in one of the brand’s ready-flocked trees.)
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