If you’re searching for an artificial Christmas tree, you are probably already aware of their advantages. Artificial trees mean less maintenance because they don’t need water and less mess because the needles don’t shed. You can put up your tree earlier, leave it up longer and put it away whenever is convenient. And, unlike real trees, a faux pine tree is fire resistant.
However, when you start shopping for an artificial Christmas tree (link to how to buy…), you might be overwhelmed by all the different varieties available. Furthermore, if you’re a stickler for detail, how do you find the most realistic artificial Christmas tree?
What Makes an Artificial Christmas Tree Look Real?
To find the best realistic artificial Christmas tree for your holiday display, focus first on your preferred species (link to tree species guide). Do you admire the subtle blue tint of a spruce or the lush fullness of a fir? The feathery look of a pine or the simplicity of a short-needled balsam?
Next, consider the material used for fabrication. Traditional artificial trees made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) feature flat, fringe-like imitation needles. Alternatively, PE (polyethylene) creates realistic-looking tapered needles that are sometimes based on molds taken from live trees.
Many artificial Christmas trees contain a mix of both types of branches - PE for realism and PVC to fill space and reduce cost. Generally, the more PE needles, the more realistic the look and the higher the cost.
Tip count is another important feature. More branches equal a fuller look. A full tree can feature thousands of tips, while a more open tree will have proportionally fewer tips per foot in height.
Listed below are a few of our favorite realistic artificial Christmas trees.
Roosevelt Fir Series
The Roosevelt Fir Series, by Northlight, offers some of our most realistic artificial Christmas trees. These full-profile trees feature a traditional conical shape that is full in the center but with plenty of open tip ends to display your favorite ornaments. In addition to a 9-foot pre-lit tree, there are 6-½ foot and 7-½ foot pre-lit and unlit options.
Noble Fir Series
Among the lifelike Christmas trees in Northlight’s Noble Fir Series are full-profile trees with a high ratio of realistic PE branches for dimension, mixed with traditional PE branches for fullness. Uniformly conical with a slightly open structure, this tree is perfect for displaying a variety of ornaments.
Hunter Fir Series
Another realistic Christmas tree option that is among Northlight’s most popular trees, the Hunter Fir Series offers beautiful down-swept branches with a scattering of classic pine cone accents. Trees in this series have relatively short PE and PVC branches with multi-tonal needles and a high tip count for generous fullness. Choose between pre-lit or unlit trees in a variety of heights.
Silverthorne Fir Series
The Silverthorne Series offers 6-½ and 7-½ foot medium and full profile trees with an abundance of realistic branches for a lush appearance. Feathery, natural-looking tapered tips offer fullness while leaving plenty of room for your favorite ornaments.
Woodcrest Pine Series
The Northlight Woodcrest Pine Series offers a full profile with a more open structure to accommodate all your special ornaments. Short-needled PE and tapered PVC tips create a classic conical profile. Several heights are available, pre-lit and unlit.
Saratoga Spruce Series
Flocked Variety
The airy molded PE and traditional PVC branches of the Saratoga Spruce Series are lightly-flocked, for a woodsy, snow-kissed look. Purchase unlit and add your own special touches or pre-lit with warm white LED lights for a luminous glow. Northlight offers Saratoga Spruce trees in 6-½ and 7-½ heights.
Nordmann Fir Series
Alpine-Style
The Nordmann Fir Series features the open-branched look of a tree plucked from a Swiss mountaintop. Short, highly-realistic looking needles fill upturned branches that are ready for your decorative touch. Nordmann Firs are available in heights from 4-½ to 9 feet. Trees come flocked and unflocked, pre-lit and unlit.
When you’re looking for the most realistic artificial Christmas tree for your holiday decorating, you won’t go wrong if you keep in mind the tree variety, fabrication and tip count.
The series listed above are just a small sample of our extensive Christmas tree selection. We invite you to shop our full line of artificial Christmas trees for even more options.