In most homes, Christmas decorating centers around the Christmas tree. For more and more people each year, that Yuletide evergreen is an artificial one. If you’re thinking about “going faux” this year, or if it’s time for an upgrade of your current counterfeit conifer, here are some tips about choosing the artificial tree that will bring you years of holiday happiness.

Why Should I Go Artificial?

Natural trees are, well, natural, with all the pluses and minuses that things of nature entail. Even people who love the look and smell of a fresh-cut specimen will acknowledge the disadvantages. For example, Mother Nature’s trees are seldom perfect. There’s generally going to be a bent trunk or a “bad side” that’s not as full. Once live trees have been cut, it’s a matter of time until needles turn brown and start to fall on your carpet. If you don’t keep the stand full of water, that happens even faster. Some people have allergies that make a natural tree impractical.

An artificial tree is not only more convenient but is a financially sound investment as well. If you set up and take down your fake tree carefully and store it properly, it can last 7-10+ years. If you get even five years out of your synthetic tree, the purchase can be cost-effective. It’s also environmentally sound when you compare the footprint of manufacturing a tree to that of growing, nurturing and cutting several years’ worth.

How Big Should My Tree Be?

The most popular trees are 7–7 ½ feet. You might want to go bigger or smaller depending on your room. There should be at least six inches to a foot between treetop and ceiling to accommodate a topper such as a star or an angel. Six inches is also the preferred clearance from the wall.

Floor-standing trees start around five feet and can be as tall as 12 feet or even 15. There’s also the width to consider. Tree circumferences are described as full, slim and extra slim (also called pencil). Most people prefer full Christmas trees, that is, if a full tree doesn’t make the room feel cramped. The thinner sizes often increase your choices of where you can display your tree.

Trees don’t have to stand on the floor. You can find a small artificial Christmas tree as short as 2-3 feet. Often they come in pots or urns instead of the usual tree stand. They’re suitable for small apartments and condos. Some people choose a standard tree for their living room and a tabletop unit for a hallway or rec room.

How Realistic Are Artificial Christmas Trees?

Fake trees are attractive, but they aren’t the real thing, and they don’t quite look like it. However, some trees are more realistic than others. Most are patterned after a real species. They might be pretend pines with thin, soft needles or spruces with sharp and pointy ones. There are firs with their full, ample look. Sometimes cones or twigs are included for an extra touch of realism.

Some branch arrangements look more realistic than others. Many trees have tightly bunched branches for a full look. Others have layered branches, which aren’t as full but afford more spots to hang ornaments.

Then there are artificial trees that make no pretense of looking like anything natural. Some aren’t even the right color; they’re silver or white or even red. With a tinsel tree, the shape might be close to a real tree, but the branches and needles have the icy shimmer of tinsel. Feather trees descend from the very first artificial Christmas trees; the branches are sparse, and the original version was made from goose feathers.

Some imitation trees are flocked to give an appearance of a snow covering. A tree can be as lightly or heavily flocked as you like. Flocked trees often add cones or berries to enhance the illusion.

Understanding Needles

What makes an artificial tree look realistic? One of the biggest factors is the needles. For starters, how many are there? Fuller trees look more natural. Branch tip count is the number that tells you how many needles there are. 800-900 is a good tip count for a 6 ½ foot tree and 1200-1500 is fine for a 7 ½ footer.

Of course, a tree can be a good one without being full. Some manufacturers intentionally lower the branch tip count to produce a layered look. This provides extra room to hang ornaments, especially ones that dangle.

Another realism factor is needle material. Most needles are made either from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene (PE).

PVC Needles

PVC is the most commonly used material for artificial needles. They’re reasonably priced, and the evergreen color won’t fade. PVC trees are easy to fold and store.

To create the needles, PVC is pressed into thin strips and cut into needle-sized pieces. It’s then shaped between twisted steel wires. These needles are generally wired right into the branches.

PVC needles can be soft and flexible like some pine needles, or they can be hard and bushy like many other types of conifers. Harder needles are cut from thicker PVC material. Sometimes hard needle tips are stressed in what’s called a cashmere style. This makes the hard needles appear softer.

PE Needles

PE is a costlier but more realistic option for artificial needles. They are produced by injecting the PE into a mold. Often the mold is made using real natural needles. The result is a crush-resistant needle that looks remarkably like the real thing. The needles have a three-dimensional appearance, and both needles and branches look more like what grows in the forest.

Some trees use a combination of PVC and PE needles.

Ease of Assembly

Older artificial trees could be a hassle to set up and take down. Some had branches that had to be attached and detached individually. Today, almost all fake trees have hinged branches. You fold them away from the trunk for setup and fold them back in when it’s time to put the tree away. Many of these have trunks in three sections that come apart for easy storage.

Some of the newer branches are pre-fluffed. You don’t even have to bend or shape them into place; they assume a lush shape with minimal effort.

The ultimate in setup simplicity is the pop-up tree. It pops into shape when you take it out of the box.

What Kind of Lights Should I Choose?

Before you decide which lights you want with your tree, consider the possibility of not getting any at all. Though most artificial Christmas trees come pre-strung, the lightless option is still out there. Some people prefer it, and not just because it costs less.

When you supply your own lights, you’re not stuck with what came with the tree. You can change it every year or two. Or you can leave the lights out entirely. In the right setting, an unilluminated tree with vintage ornaments has a charming Christmas-long-ago appeal.

Of course, it’s hard to deny the advantages of an artificial Christmas tree with lights already attached. It’s easier to set up, quicker to take down, and you don’t have to worry about the strings tangling themselves in their boxes over the summer.

Christmas tree lights can be either the traditional incandescent lights or LEDs.

· Incandescent lights have been around for decades. They’re inexpensive and they produce a warm and comforting glow. The longer-life incandescent is a variation of the old stand-by, equipped with chip technology. Standard incandescents are good for around 2,000 hours, and the chip-enabled version lasts even longer.

· LED lighting is becoming more prevalent everywhere, and Christmas tree lighting is no exception. The up-front cost is higher, but they consume less electricity and can last 10 times as long as incandescents. Also, they don’t heat up but remain cool to the touch.

Many pre-lit Christmas trees come with lights of a single color, and often that color is white. If you prefer multi-colored strings, there are lots of those about. You can also choose lights that flash or change shades. For those who can’t decide, there are multi-mode lights that change from one style to another with a switch or even a remote.

Another convenient pre-lit variation is the single-plug tree. With these, you don’t have to connect several plugs to several sockets during setup. Just set up the bottom section and plug it in. Then fit the middle pole into the first, and the middle section automatically lights up. There’s low-voltage power actually running through the “trunk.” These trees typically have LED lighting.

An Artificial Christmas Tree That Suits Your Home

The best artificial Christmas tree is the one that fits your budget, fits your space and has the style and features you want. In addition to the choices we’ve described, you can even buy a tree that’s fully pre-decorated, with ornaments as well as lights. Just set it up and your tree is ready to entertain.

If you just can’t live without the scent of a natural tree, there are fragrance sticks available for your imitation evergreen. If you’re planning to move on from the cut tree this season, or if your artificial tree is showing its age, you’re sure to find something you’ll like among all the choices that are available now.