I saw a few at the homedepot.com, but it doesn`t give much information on artificial trees. I need to be able to pack it up and store it away, and getting a real tree every single year seems like a waste of money. I have a small apartment, so please give good answers, I`m in need of help for the holidays!
2006-12-03 02:18:04 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
A couple of years ago, I got a small (3ft. I think) fiber optic tree. I really like it, and it goes in and out of the box in one piece. You just fluff out the limbs and plug it in and its ready to go. No pieces to put together, very easy and really cute. I got it at Wal-Mart for like $10 bucks!
Good luck on whatever you decide and have a Very Merry Christmas!!!
2006-12-03 02:37:19 · answer #1 · answered by F-1 says KISS IT! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The key to storing artificial trees is to keep the original box.
We've used them for years, because my brother is allergic to the real ones.
Watch the size of your artificial tree. For a small apartment, you don't want a six or seven foot tall one...it will take up just as much storage space as the set up tree. Look for one that is around four to four and a half feet tall.
See if they have a sample set up already. The kind that has several rows of branches in graduated sizes that you have to put into pegs is a pain in the neck to set up, but it actually makes it easier to put it back into the box for storage each year. There are other types of artificial trees that come in two pieces, a bottom and a top. They are very tricky to get back into the box.
I've heard of artificial trees that come as one piece, but I have never seen any that are more than three feet tall. If you choose to get that size, they aren't all that hard to get back into the box.
The key to artificial trees is to know that the branches are scrunched up to get it to fit into the box. When you are setting it up, you will need to "fluff out" the branches by bending and in some cases twisting the branches gently to get it to look like a real tree's shape. When you put it away, you will need to bend the branches back again, closer to the "trunk" of the tree.
It's important to do this bending slowly and gently. If you rush through it you can overstress the wires, and have a branch break off.
A pretty tree skirt can hide the sometimes ugly stand for artificial trees, and there are some pine-scented sprays that will give the illusion of a real tree's scent. I don't like the spray stuff myself, so I get pine inscense sticks or scented candles to use (when I am home and can monitor the flame, naturally).
The artificial trees don't have to be watered, have a much lower fire hazard rating (because it's not all dry wood and flammable pin sap), and don't drop needles that you will be sweeping or vacuuming up for months. But I have yet to find an artificial tree that really looks like a real one.
If you take care of your artifical tree, being carful not to overstress those wires, your tree can last years and years. Theoretically, forever. Mine is going on five years now, and my mother's is around twenty years old.
Hope this info helps you decide.
2006-12-03 02:47:32 · answer #2 · answered by devil_bunny_99 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can get a small tree that comes in like 3 pieces and that is very pretty. It will go back in the box with no problem.
2006-12-03 02:26:26 · answer #3 · answered by little big boots 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When living in a small place I would never recommend an artificial they never seem to repack quite right and you end up with pieces sticking out everywhere. Most artificial won't last more then 10 years even if it's a good one and they aren't cheap. Plus once you take them out of the box you have a years worth of dust accumulated. You should be able to get a real one at a reasonable price (ikea) and then chuck it when the holiday are over. It's turned into mulch and is completely biodegradable.
2006-12-03 02:32:49 · answer #4 · answered by angelaflowerwater 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
This year was the first year bought a real christmas tree. If I'd have known how much easier it was, I would have went with a real tree years ago.
2006-12-03 22:01:17 · answer #5 · answered by Ami S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our box got torn after a couple of years so we replaced it with a plastic tub made to fit the tree in. Home Depot also sells these.
2006-12-03 03:04:30 · answer #6 · answered by fortyninertu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lighted ones out now are very convenient. They come in three sections that just fold up. I keep mine in a large Rubbermaid container. Yes, they do tend to "shed" after awhile, but so do real trees!!!
2006-12-03 02:30:06 · answer #7 · answered by CW 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have a art. tree and it is very easy to put up and take down. Yes it fits back in the box.
2006-12-03 02:44:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love mine I put garbage bags over it lights ornaments and all and walk it to my Attic ready to go the next year mine came in 3 sections that collapses works great no needles had it for 12 years
2006-12-03 02:23:47 · answer #9 · answered by Fergie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are a bit of a pain, but usually fit back into the same box they came in, if youre careful about it
2006-12-03 02:26:32 · answer #10 · answered by Michael B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋