Christmas trees play a big part in our favourite festive traditions. We decorate, open gifts, and celebrate with friends and family around the tree. It’s important to have one that not only suits your style, but also stands tall season after season. In this guide, we show you how to choose the best artificial Christmas tree for your home.
What Christmas Tree Size and Shape Should I Get?
Artificial Christmas trees come in various sizes and shapes. To narrow down your options, choose a spot to determine if you have space for a small Christmas tree or a tall one.
Christmas Tree Height Guide
A good rule of thumb is to have at least 15 centimetres between the top of your tree and the ceiling. This also accounts for a topper or any decorative stand that adds height to the tree. So, if you have the standard 240-centimetre ceiling and a 30-centimetre angel topper, you’d want a 195-centimetre Christmas tree. We measure our trees from the stand to the topmost tip.
Artificial Christmas Tree Shapes
A tree’s shape gives you a general idea how much room it takes up. Go for a regular full tree if you have a spacious area and a narrow or slim one for limited spaces. Calculate your available floor space and check it against the dimensions on our site. We base these measurements on the widest point of the tree.
Regular (Full)
The most popular shape, with the classic profile of natural Christmas trees
Slim
Our most slender trees, designed for tight spaces and corners
Flatback
Space-saving solutions for compact studios and apartments
How Realistic Will My Christmas Tree Look?
Needle Type
We categorise needle types according to the material used. PVC needles are flat and papery while polyethylene (PE) needles have more dimension. Some trees feature a combination of both—the more realistic the Christmas tree, the higher the PE count. Read the foliage details, look at close-up photos, or check our Branch Sample Kit to find out more.
True Needle®
Created by Balsam Hill, these injection-moulded PE needles mimic the structure, texture, and colour variations of natural evergreens
Classic Needle
Soft, flat, and flexible PVC needles with a more classic artificial Christmas tree look
Levels of Realism
Realism relates to the types of needles used in a tree. At Balsam Hill, we categorise our trees into three levels.
Most Realistic Christmas Trees
Has more than 65% True Needle (PE) foliage for outstanding realism, with Classic Needles (PVC) near the trunk for added fullness
Realistic Christmas Trees
Up to 65% True Needle (PE) foliage mixed with Classic Needle (PVC) for a great balance between realism and budget
Traditional Christmas Trees
Our most cost-effective trees with 100% Classic Needle (PVC) foliage
Species
Certain species may hold special meaning because they remind you of the Christmas tree you had growing up. That’s why we use nature as inspiration and create moulds from actual branch clippings to make exceptionally real-looking Christmas trees.
Fir
Dense branches with flat and flexible needles sprouting individually from the stem
Spruce
Rough branches with needles growing singly from the stem. Unlike firs, spruce needles have four sides and sharp points
Pine
Sparser branches around the trunk, with thin needles attached to the stem in clusters of two, three, or five
Christmas Tree Colours
Depending on the species, real trees come in different shades of green and the same is true for Balsam Hill trees. For instance, the blue spruce has blue-green needles while the noble fir has a grey tint to it. Some trees are also multi-toned like the fraser fir with its dark green tips and silver undersides.
Green
Well-loved green trees in various hues depending on the species
White
White branches to make your ornaments pop
Frosted
Lightly flocked trees with a dusting of faux snow
Insider’s Tip
What Are the Best Christmas Tree Lights?
Lights bring your Christmas tree to life even without decorations. If you prefer to string your own lights, you need at least 100 lights per 30 centimetres of the tree. Double or triple the amount if you love the look of brighter, more intense lights on your tree.
Pre-Lit vs Unlit Christmas Trees
Our Pre-Lit Christmas Trees make assembly quick and easy. Balsam Hill’s lights are hand strung to provide optimal coverage while keeping wires from showing. We use premium commercial-grade lights so that even if one bulb burns out or is removed, the rest stay lit.
On the other hand, Unlit Trees give you the freedom to experiment with lights. Hang as many light strings as you prefer, or keep it simple with no lights on your tree.
Types of Christmas Tree Lights
Our pre-lit trees come with energy-efficient LEDs that are rated to last longer than incandescent lights, so your centrepiece shines bright for many years. To find the best pre-lit Christmas tree, consider classic clear or festive multicoloured lights, or switch between both with our Colour-Changing Options..
Candlelight™ LED
The warm glow of candlelight without the blue tone of other LEDs
Multi LED
A bright mix of coloured lights
Colour + Clear™ LED
Exclusive lights that let you switch from clear to multicoloured to both, and give you 30% more coverage
Fairy Lights
Tiny LED bulbs on fine wires for a magical look
Twinkly® Light Show
Animated lights that create a stunning display
Control Type
Manage your Christmas tree lights with easy-to-use controls that vary from a simple foot pedal to an innovative app. We also offer battery-operated Potted Trees for flexible decorating.
What Are My Options for Easy Set-up Christmas Trees?
Save time and energy for things that matter most with features that simplify your Christmas tree set-up. Our trees are designed with hinged branches that fan out and in for quick set-up and storage. We also include a sturdy metal stand with rubber feet to keep your floor clean and beautiful.
All artificial Christmas trees are compressed for shipping, so you need to fluff the branches to make them look fuller. Watch this video on How To Shape Your Balsam Hill Tree and this one for Tips and Tricks on Shaping Individual Branches.
To make set-up even easier, we’ve incorporated exclusive technology in our premium artificial Christmas trees:
Flip Trees®
Easy Plug®
Pre-Fluffed™
Each tree is professionally hand-shaped prior to shipping. Strong memory wire branches fan out as you set up, so fluffing takes less time. All Pre-Fluffed trees come with Easy Plug.
INSIDER’S TIP
What Else Should I Consider When Buying a Christmas Tree?
Aside from the technical factors above, here are other things to look into when choosing your artificial Christmas tree:
Price Range
The best artificial Christmas trees often cost more than real trees because they last season after season. Find one that suits your budget, from slim space-savers to tall, highly realistic trees. Prices vary based on tree size, needle composition, light types, and set-up features.
Key Decorations
All Balsam Hill trees are made with sturdy, flexible branches to support ornaments of various size and weight. You can layer assorted decorations, use ribbons, and fill gaps with picks. Visit our blog for inspiration.
Christmas Tree Toppers
If using a Tree Topper, make sure there’s at least 15 centimetres of clearance from the top of the tree topper and your ceiling. Our trees have a strong top branch tip to secure your topper. For heavier toppers, use a Tree Topper Extension Kit.
Christmas Tree Skirts, Collars, & Stands
Choose a Tree Skirt that’s at least 15 centimetres bigger than the full width of the tree. It should completely cover the stand and be larger than the entire diameter of the base of your tree.
Care & Storage
Store your tree in a cool, dry place to keep it in good condition. Storage Bags are recommended to keep dust and the elements from harming your tree. All Balsam Hill trees come with a light-weight bag/s for easy storage year after year. For more tips, read our Storage Guide.
Best Time To Buy an Artificial Christmas Tree
Artificial trees are sold all year long, but you’ll find the best deals during major shopping days such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can also take advantage of post-Christmas clearance sales and Christmas in July. Learn more about Balsam Hill's sale events in this guide..
Insider’s Tip
For updates on promos and exclusive discounts, subscribe to our Newsletter and follow us on social media.Why Choose Balsam Hill Christmas Trees?
At Balsam Hill, we help you create memorable celebrations—starting with the centrepiece, your tree. It’s our mission to give you the best artificial Christmas tree for your home, so we offer a wide variety of options to suit your needs. We design and produce each of our trees ourselves from tip to trunk, bringing our attention to detail to every tree we make.
Welcome Kit
Each Balsam Hill Christmas tree comes with a lightweight premium steel stand, soft cotton gloves for fluffing, and storage bag/s for the off-season. Pre-lit trees are also delivered with extra bulbs.
Warranty
Enjoy a 3-year warranty on all non-clearance trees. This covers the quality of tree frame, foliage, hinges, stand, and repair or replacement of lights on pre-lit trees. Learn more here..
Free Delivery
Get your tree delivered right to your door at no cost within Australia. Rather than packing our large trees in one giant container, we ship them to you in several smaller packages for easier unboxing.