Page 2 | Realistic artificial trees

daffodilandtulip · 2023-08-12T06:50:21+00:00

Looking to invest in the most realistic tree I can find this year. I love a real tree but I don't think it's justifiable. I've been looking at the everlands fir ones and also a couple on werchristmas. I've got to the point where I'm sick of looking and can't remember what I've seen now 🤣 Any experience or better ideas?

DoorstoManual · 12/08/2023 16:12

Once upon a time, when the balance of my mind was disturbed I bought an artificial tree, it was a thoroughly miserable Christmas (for me) now I just factor the £100 or whatever it costs, into the price of Christmas.

ChristmasCrumpet · 12/08/2023 16:22

So this is allegedly what I have. And here it is in real life.

slightly peeved that I can't find last year's far superior red and gold theme and have to post the year before when I was convinced pink was all the rage

It's a nice tree. It's a well made tree. It looks like it was expensive. But it does not remotely look real.

longtompot · 12/08/2023 17:06

This is mine from Christmas tree world. It's their 6ft Ultra Mountain pine. I'd love taller but then it would be too wide at the base.
Its the second year using it and I love it. The branches aren't all uniform so it looks really realistic. I wasn't keen when I first took it out of the box as the tips are plastic, but honestly you don't notice and when people see it for the first time they think it's real.
It does need a lot of fluffing so give yourself time to do that.
The first year the lighting took me ages to do as I didn't buy a long enough length (600 lights) but last year I bought 1000 lights I think and it was perfect.

ChristmasCrumpet · 12/08/2023 17:10

longtompot · 12/08/2023 17:06

This is mine from Christmas tree world. It's their 6ft Ultra Mountain pine. I'd love taller but then it would be too wide at the base.
Its the second year using it and I love it. The branches aren't all uniform so it looks really realistic. I wasn't keen when I first took it out of the box as the tips are plastic, but honestly you don't notice and when people see it for the first time they think it's real.
It does need a lot of fluffing so give yourself time to do that.
The first year the lighting took me ages to do as I didn't buy a long enough length (600 lights) but last year I bought 1000 lights I think and it was perfect.

Oh this is nice.

Does anyone have a pic of their white company one they'd be willing to share?

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daffodilandtulip · 12/08/2023 17:17

longtompot · 12/08/2023 17:06

This is mine from Christmas tree world. It's their 6ft Ultra Mountain pine. I'd love taller but then it would be too wide at the base.
Its the second year using it and I love it. The branches aren't all uniform so it looks really realistic. I wasn't keen when I first took it out of the box as the tips are plastic, but honestly you don't notice and when people see it for the first time they think it's real.
It does need a lot of fluffing so give yourself time to do that.
The first year the lighting took me ages to do as I didn't buy a long enough length (600 lights) but last year I bought 1000 lights I think and it was perfect.

I looked at this when a pp mentioned it so thanks for the photos! I'm loving this one I think.
(Although they do prelit as well, which is a winner!)

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daffodilandtulip · 12/08/2023 17:19

Interesting @ChristmasCrumpet that that's from Balsam, which everyone seems to be saying.

Like @longtompot says, it's the different lengths, non uniformity that makes it more realistic.

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longtompot · 12/08/2023 18:09

I'm glad you like it @daffodilandtulip I got it after a recommendation two years ago in here, so am pleased to pass on the baton🎄

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daffodilandtulip · 12/08/2023 18:22

I think this might be the one. I liked both the Christmas tree world ones mentioned on here but the pre lit wins for me I think.

I'll return in a couple of years to pass on the baton then!

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RockGirl · 13/08/2023 11:09

I love my Balsam Hill tree. I decided to not get a pre-lit one after much debating and bought separate lights that I can colour change and control remotely.

Squeamishandworried · 13/08/2023 20:36

Our white company one is much more realistic than our balsam hill one and also less fiddly to join the sections and match the light sockets together. Was pretty disappointed with Balsam Hill, the only thing in their favour was that they have a good choice of heights.

ChristmasCrumpet · 13/08/2023 20:41

Squeamishandworried · 13/08/2023 20:36

Our white company one is much more realistic than our balsam hill one and also less fiddly to join the sections and match the light sockets together. Was pretty disappointed with Balsam Hill, the only thing in their favour was that they have a good choice of heights.

Would you mind posting a pic? Is it pre lit?

princessbear80 · 14/08/2023 09:32

daffodilandtulip · 12/08/2023 12:11

Oh that one is already on my list! Does it feel like you have a real tree in the house? Also with the pre lit ones, my cheap one has wires trailing everywhere - is this better since it's more expensive?

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Sorry for the late reply!
The wires are no problem at all.
It is fairly realistic, people do sometimes think it’s a real tree. But obviously I know it’s not, so it doesn’t feel like a real tree. But I love it even more than a real one, as I can have it up for as long as I want (5-6 weeks) and it’s beautiful even though it’s fake. I think because it’s not overly bushy or a completely triangle shape, it helps it look more real. Here’s a photo of it decorated.
I’d say a tree skirt is a necessity, because the bottom is quite ugly!

princessbear80 · 14/08/2023 09:34

One more thing - I originally ordered the 6ft and sent it back because it was more like 5ft 5. I got the 7ft instead, and I haven’t measured it, but I’d say it is probably about 7ft.

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daffodilandtulip · 14/08/2023 09:51

Oh that's lovely too! @princessbear80 I like having mine up for 5/6 weeks too 🤭

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Work2live · 14/08/2023 11:12

I really like our Balsam Hill tree but agree with @ChristmasCrumpet - they're really good quality but most of them don't actually look realistic. I think it depends on what shape you go for though.

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daffodilandtulip · 14/08/2023 18:18

I've ordered the Ultra Pine 😍

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TheGreatWoofington · 14/08/2023 19:47

@daffodilandtulip
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Visitors to our home almost always mistake our tree for a real one .

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daffodilandtulip · 14/08/2023 19:50

I'm very excited! Might have to have a little bauble shop too!

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princessbear80 · 14/08/2023 19:59

Very exciting! Please update us with photos in December 🎄

Cr15t1n4 · 09/12/2023 14:29

Look for a Christmas tree with a high percentage of PE tips. The more PE tips the better. PVC tips are the tips that are tinsel-like.

Balsam Hill do realistic trees but even during big sales the prices are quite high. For example, the 7ft Silverado Slim which is 65% PE 35% PVC was £249 during Black Friday.

I like The White Stores because they clearly state the percentage of PE tips for all the trees on their site. With Balsam Hill I had to request the information and sometimes they refused. With other places it was also difficult to find out the percentages.

I ended up getting the 7ft Englemanns Spruce because it is 80% PE and has a nice “spiky” silhouette. It looked even better in person than on the website. It was £195 after discounts, but it is now sold out.

I also bought Winter Fir Scentsicles to make it smell real. I tried the ‘O Christmas Tree’ scent too but didn’t like the smell at all. Winter Fir is the best. The pack says to use all 6 but we used 2 and it’s lovely and strong.