Comparison Guide: 9 Features to Compare Before You Buy a Christmas Tree

Choosing an artificial Christmas tree may be one of the most complex decorating decisions you’ll face this holiday season. Given the monetary investment, the tree’s significance to the holiday and its long lifespan, an artificial tree is not an impulse purchase.

Faux Christmas trees come in countless sizes, shapes and designs. They can be skinny or full-figured. Green, flocked or colored. Pre-lit or unlit. They may feature classic fringe-like foliage or branches that look like real pine needles.

Artificial Christmas trees also may have other desirable features, such as lights that connect through the center pole, offering both all-white and multicolored lighting options.

Below, we compare sets of popular classic and realistic trees in similar price ranges and break down the small differences between each pair. 

A 7.5 foot tree is a popular height for homes with 9 to 10-foot ceilings. While both of these trees are similar in size and price, the Northern Pine has 600 multicolored lights, compared to the 500 white lights featured on the Chatham Pine. If you love the look of a really lush, full tree, the Northern Pine features a slightly wider profile and more than double the number of branch tips. 

Potted trees work well in foyers, groupings and as accent trees – or as the main Christmas tree in apartments and small homes. These 4-foot potted varieties, part of our Real Touch™ line of luxury trees and greenery, feature abundant, realistic-looking molded needles. The Grande Spruce bears an attractive deep green tone. The Blue Spruce further mimics nature with lighter colored branch tips. Both come in pots that can be surrounded by a small tree collar or rest inside a larger planter, basket or holiday bucket.

Even between comparable artificial Christmas trees, there are small details and features that influence your decision.

To find the best tree for your holiday celebration, consider your budget and space requirements, as well as overall look. Focusing on the most important features, such as tree height, flocking or lighting, can help eliminate styles and narrow your choices.

By identifying your preferences and comparing your options, finding your new Christmas tree should be a less confusing and more enjoyable experience.