Christmas trees play a big part in our favourite festive 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.
What artificial tree size and shape should I get?
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.
Christmas Tree Size Guide
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.
Under 5 feetMiniature trees for tabletops, bedrooms, kid’s rooms, and small spaces |
5 to 5½ feetDesigned for smaller living areas |
6 to 6½ feetPerfect for homes with low ceilings |
7 to 7½ feetThe best size for standard 8- to 9-foot ceilings |
8 to 12 feetIdeal for rooms with high ceilings |
Artificial Tree Shapes
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.
Regular (Full)
The most popular shape, with the classic profile of natural Christmas trees
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How realistic will an artificial Christmas tree look?
Going artificial doesn’t mean saying goodbye to the look and feel of your favourite tree. We design many of our Balsam Hill® Christmas trees after real species—from the shape and texture of the needles to the nuances in colour. Best of all, they stay evergreen and need little to no maintenance.
Needle Type
We categorise 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 Christmas 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.
True Needle®
Created by Balsam Hill, these injection-moulded PE needles mimic the structure, texture, and colour variations of natural evergreens
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Classic Needle
Soft, flat, and flexible PVC needles with a more classic artificial Christmas tree look
SHOP CLASSIC NEEDLE TREES »Levels of Realism
Realism relates to the types of needles used in a tree. At Balsam Hill, we categorise our trees into three levels.
MOST REALISTIC ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREES
Has more than 65% True Needle (PE) foliage for outstanding realism, with Classic Needles (PVC) near the trunk for added fullness
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REALISTIC ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREES
Up to 65% True Needle (PE) foliage mixed with Classic Needle (PVC) for a great balance between realism and budget
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TRADITIONAL ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREES
Our most cost-effective trees with 100% Classic Needle (PVC) foliage
SHOP TRADITIONAL TREES »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 moulds from actual branch clippings to make exceptionally real-looking Christmas trees.
Fir
Dense branches with flat and flexible needles sprouting individually from the stem
FEATURED: BH BALSAM FIR® »
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: FROSTED SUGAR PINE »Colour
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 grey tint to it. Some trees are also multi-toned like the fraser fir with its dark green tips and silver undersides.
Insider's Tip
Each purchase includes a coupon code that you can use as credit toward your first tree order.
What Christmas tree lights are best?
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
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. Hang as many light strings as you prefer, or keep it simple with no lights on your tree.
Types of LED Christmas Tree Lights
Our pre-lit artificial trees come with energy-efficient LEDs that are rated to last longer than incandescent lights, so your tree shines bright for many years.
Candlelight™ LED
The warm glow of candlelight without the blue tone of other LEDs
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Colour + Clear™ LED
Exclusive lights that let you switch from clear to multicoloured to both, and give you 30% more coverage
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Twinkly Light® Show
Animated lights that create a stunning display
SHOP TREES WITH TWINKLY LIGHT SHOW »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 ABOUT CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS »
What are my options for easy set-up Christmas trees?
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. Learn more about Flip Trees through our in-depth guide.
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.
Insider's Tip
Explore our assembly guide for step-by-step instructions.
What else should I consider when buying a Christmas tree?
Aside from the technical factors above, here are other things to look into when choosing your artificial Christmas tree:
Price Range
The best artificial Christmas trees often cost more than real trees because they last season after season.
Key Decorations
Christmas Tree Toppers
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.
Christmas 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.
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.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS »
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. For more tips, read our storage guide.
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. Learn the best times to buy an artificial Christmas tree through our guide.
Insider's tip
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Why choose Balsam Hill artificial Christmas trees?
At Balsam Hill, we help you create memorable celebrations—starting with the Christmas centrepiece, 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 Balsam Hill Christmas 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 delivered with extra bulbs.
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 Delivery
Get your tree delivered right to your door at no cost within the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Rather than packing our large trees in one giant container, we ship them to you in several smaller packages for easier unboxing.
Need Help?
To discover your perfect match, take our tree finder quiz.
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