by Barb Hopkins

Created on: November 14, 2009   Last Updated: December 01, 2009

When choosing an artificial Christmas tree, there are many factors to consider. A few tips that can help make this choice easier include ideas regarding size, construction, and lighting as well as where the Christmas tree will be displayed.

* Size matters.

Before shopping for an artificial Christmas tree, determine where the tree will be displayed. Know the height of the ceiling and the width of the area. If the tree will be the focal point of the room, make sure there is will be plenty of room to walk around the tree. It is also good to be sure an oversized tree will not dominate the room. Likewise, too small or too skinny of a tree in a spacious room can look awkward and more like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. In general, it is best to allow for ten to twelve inches of space between the top of the tree and the ceiling. The widest part of the tree should not brush up against any furniture or wall, a six-inch space works well.

Artificial Christmas trees can range in size from 4.5 feet tall to a commercial size of 30 feet tall. Most average sized-rooms can easily accommodate at 6.5 to 7.5 foot tall artificial Christmas tree. Large rooms with vaulted ceilings and open design plans can usually fit a larger tree like a full 12-foot tree with a 72-inch wide base. Keep in mind that a slim-style tree will have a smaller base width. For example, a slim 7.5 foot tall Overland Spruce has a 42-inch wide base whereas a 7.5 foot tall Wisteria Spruce in full size has a 62-inch base.

* Construction and style of tree should be a factor.

A traditional artificial Christmas tree is constructed using the bottlebrush technique resulting in the tree having flexible branches and needles that are flat with almost a 2-D look. A more modern manufacturing process generates the molded trees. This molded construction results in artificial Christmas tree that look more realistic, more 3-D. If you have only used real trees in the past and are about to purchase your first artificial tree, you might consider the molded tree because from a distance it can be difficult to tell that it is not real. However, if you plan to load the tree with many ornaments, a bottlebrush style will be sturdier. For a great video presentation about PVC (bottlebrush) trees versus the PE/PVC mix (molded) trees, visit Christmas Trees for Me.

Once you have chosen between construction styles, there are other style decisions to make. There are almost as many varieties of artificial trees as there are real trees. Each

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