Top 16 Christmas Tree Images - Voted Best Of 2023

Christmas trees are usually made up of three sections which lock together, making it easy to put them together. Check the weight of a tree before buying it. If it is heavy, you may need at least two people to assemble it. The average time to set up the nine trees that we tested was 16 minutes. None took more than 21 minutes. National Tree Company's Artificial Kingswood Fir slim Christmas Tree is an outlier, taking less than seven minutes. It's perfect for families who don’t have time to decorate.

Assembly can be complicated by lighting. Some options require that you plug them into an outlet. Others may require multiple plugs to be connected throughout the tree. This can add to assembly time.

Also, you need to consider the time it will take to make the branches appear full and minimize gaps. This was time-consuming in our tests. Some trees, such as our Best Decorated choice, the Grandin Road Long Needle Tinsel Tree made the process more comfortable and easier than others. Although it took some time to fluff this tree, the needles are very sturdy and easy-to-move. Some trees can have needles and branches that are stiff and scratchy. We recommend wearing gloves and long sleeves when setting up these trees.

Average Christmas trees stand at 7.5 feet. There are many options for a full, traditional look. However, if your floor space is limited, you can also choose a slimmer option. Darin says that the standard width of a carpet is 48-54 inches.

In a 2019 New York Times report, it was noted that there were 160 Christmas tree fires each year. However, the National Fire Protection Association stated that a "disproportionate share" of these fires occurred when natural trees are involved. Also in 2019, CBS News researchers in Washington, DC, tried to light an artificial Christmas tree with a lighter, and failed until they dumped a gallon or so of gasoline on top. A healthy, well-watered tree that was placed against a concrete wall caught fire instantly in the same test. However, it eventually died down. In an NFPA clip, a live, dry tree that was not watered blazed furiously. The NFPA found that lights on Christmas trees were responsible for close to half of Christmas tree fires. Check any exposed wires on tree lights and do not hang ornaments on them directly. The weight of the ornament or the sharp edges on the hanger may compromise the protective coating on the wires.

The fake tree will not scratch the roof of your vehicle or cover your hands with sap while you are moving or setting it up. A fake tree does not shed and would not leave behind a trail of needles when you move it from the house at New Year's Day.

Artificial trees are more expensive up front than live trees. According to the National Christmas Tree Association which represents the live tree industry, in 2020 a live Christmas tree cost on average $80. In 2021, the prices will rise by between 5% and 10%, according a spokesperson. At that average price, a $400 artificial Christmas tree will pay for itself in five years. The best ones can last even longer.

Most artificial Christmas tree styles are created to look as real as possible. The style of the real Christmas tree that you prefer is likely to be the style of artificial tree you gravitate toward. Balsam Fir, Douglas Fir, and Spruce are some of the most popular styles. Douglas firs can be very dense and make decorating difficult. This is why many people prefer Balsam Firs.

Some trees offer a warm white light on a single setting. Others have varying settings of white and multicolor lights.

SwayM.E. Michelle Essix, a Vegas resident, believes that the more lights the better. The Balsam Hill Brewer Spruce has multicolor lights that allow for a more customizable experience. You can add smart lights to some trees, which will allow you to customize your tree even more. You can create light shows and choose from hundreds of colors.

The trees of today are so technologically advanced that they automatically connect the lights when you add each piece, so you don't have to search for plugs. Essix continues, "It really makes the tree glitter." Other options include foot pedals, which make it easier to switch your lights on or off without having to use your hands. When shopping, pay attention to the lengths of the cords and lights. The length of the cord will dictate how close your tree needs to be to an outlet.

If you want to make sure that your tree is bright, pay attention to how many lights it has. The more lights you have, the brighter your tree will appear. The more lights you have, the fuller your tree will look. This is especially helpful for trees that are sparse and hard to fluff. We found that 850 lights were standard for each of the 7.5-foot options on this list. Balsam Hills trees, however, had over 1,000 trees in both the Brewer Spruce as well as the Vermont White Spruce. You can add more lights to your tree to suit your tastes.

It's not necessary to water or move a fake tree to ensure it stays in place. It's not necessary to go to the live tree lot every year early to find a "good" tree or to haul it home from an "it-yourself" farm. (Traditions which many people enjoy). The tree is already at your home, ready for you to use when the holiday season ends. This means one less errand at a time when budgets are tight.

Some trees have features that are tailored to your taste. If a tree is lit, it might also have an easy-to-use foot pedal. Some trees are pre-decorated in ornaments and faux snow to give them a wintery look.