We warned you that the best artificial Christmas trees often sell out early. That’s exactly what has happened, with barely half of the best Christmas trees still available. One reason is the big discounts in this year’s Black Friday. Another is that fake Christmas trees are more popular than ever. It’s little wonder, now that they look almost identical to the real thing.
“Polyethylene (PE) moulded branch tips now offer more realism than traditional PVC,” says David Sumner of festive specialist Christmas Tree World, “although they are more expensive to produce. Prices range from £20 to £20,000 (for a 40ft tree with 20,000 LEDs.) For most households, a 7ft tree is ideal. Depending on whether it’s unlit or pre-lit, the width and the type of foliage, you can expect to pay between £50 and £500.”
Sumner’s number one advice when buying is to check the number of branch tips, since this greatly affects the overall appearance. The trees we tested ranged from under 300 to over 2,000 tips.
This year, we also asked Telegraph readers for their thoughts on artificial trees. You can read their tips and recommendations below, followed by advice on how to tell a good artificial Christmas tree from a bad one, as well as a guide to size, weight, materials and tip count. Here’s a quick look at our top five – some of which are still be in stock:
The best artificial Christmas trees: At a glance
Which is the best type of artificial Christmas tree?
Conical trees are the most popular, but Sumner says that a new style, with pre-contoured branches that curve up as if seeking winter sunlight, is trending. They’re easier to hang large decorations on.
Most models are available in a range of sizes. The best 4ft artificial Christmas trees range from around £45 to £300, whereas a well-made 8ft tree can set you back nearly £2,000. These prices are often discounted if you buy early.
Remember that you don’t have to plump for the most realistic artificial Christmas tree. Twig trees, which were hugely popular last year, look set to be again this Christmas. There are also tinsel trees, pink trees and even Grinch trees.