Artificial Christmas Tree Care Guide: Setup, Fluffing and Storage

An artificial Christmas tree is an investment you'll enjoy for many seasons, but only if it's treated well. Branches get crushed in the box, lights get tugged, dust settles in and stands wobble. The good news is that a few simple habits keep a tree looking full and fresh year after year.

Now that the ornaments are coming off, it's the perfect time to learn how to care for your tree, from the day you set it up to the day you pack it away.

Know Your Tree Before You Start

Take a minute to figure out what kind of tree you have. The type makes a difference in how you handle it.

• Hinged branches. Branches are attached to the pole and fold down into place, like an umbrella. Most modern trees work this way.
• Memory wire branches. Branches have wire that holds its shape, so they need less fluffing.
• Sectional trees. The tree comes in two, three or four pieces that stack onto each other.
• Pre-lit trees. Lights are already strung on the branches, so they need extra care during setup and storage.
• Flocked trees. Branches are coated in a white snowy finish that needs gentle handling.

Many trees combine several of these. The 7 ft Hinged Artificial Christmas Tree with Metal Stand, for example, comes in 4 sections with hinged branches and a folding X-shaped stand with non-slip pads.

Setting Up: Start With a Steady Base

A wobbly tree is the fastest way to broken ornaments. Build from the ground up.

1. Pick the spot first. Choose level floor away from heat sources like fireplaces, heaters and vents.
2. Open the stand fully. Make sure every leg is locked into place before adding the first section.
3. Seat each section firmly. Line up the pole and press it all the way down. A section that isn't fully seated can lean.
4. Connect lights as you go. On pre-lit trees, connect the plugs between sections as you stack them, following the manufacturer's instructions.
5. Check for lean. Step back and look from two sides before you start fluffing.

The 6 ft Hinged Artificial Christmas Tree with Metal Stand has a folding metal stand with anti-slip foot pads that help keep it steady and protect your floors. The 7.5 ft Pre-Lit Douglas Fir Christmas Tree comes in three sections with hinged branches, a folding metal base and 500 warm white LEDs.

Seven Feet of Fluffy Branches on a Rock-Solid Stand

7 ft Hinged Artificial Christmas Tree with Metal Stand

$93.99MSRP $142.48

No Wobble, No Needles, No Drama

6 ft Hinged Artificial Christmas Tree with 1,355 Tips and Metal Stand

$105.99MSRP $161.48

The Tall, Glowing Centerpiece Your Living Room Wants

7.5 ft Pre-Lit Douglas Fir Christmas Tree with 500 Warm White LEDs

From $166.99MSRP $332.00

2,441 Tips of Pure Fluff

7.5 ft Green Fir Artificial Christmas Tree with 2441 PE and PVC Tips

$201.99MSRP $298.23

Fluffing: The Secret to a Full-Looking Tree

Fluffing is what makes a tree look like it came from a showroom instead of a box. It takes some time, but it's worth it.

Work From the Bottom Up

Start with the lowest section and finish each level before moving up. If your tree comes apart in sections, it's often easiest to fluff the bottom section before adding the next one, so you can reach the inner branches.

Separate Every Tip

For each branch, start near the pole and work outward.

1. Pull the tips at the very end straight out along the branch.
2. Spread the next tips alternately up, to the side and down, like a fan.
3. Work toward the pole, spreading tips so they fill the gaps.
4. Shape the inner branches too. They add depth and hide the pole.

Give It Time

Plan for fluffing to take a while, especially on a full tree. The 7.5 ft Green Fir Artificial Christmas Tree has 2,441 mixed PE and PVC tips, which gives it a very full look once shaped. Even a slim tree takes some effort. The 7 ft White Pre-Lit Slim Pencil Christmas Tree suggests planning about 30 minutes of fluffing.

Tip: Wear light gloves or long sleeves while fluffing. Artificial tips can be scratchy after an hour of shaping.

Let Memory Wire Do Some Work

Memory wire branches hold their shape, which saves a lot of time. The 9 ft Hinged Artificial Christmas Tree with Memory Wire Branches is designed so branches unfold and stay in place with far less fluffing. The 8 ft White Artificial Christmas Tree with Memory Wire works the same way with 1,430 dense tips.

Branches That Remember Exactly Where They Go

9 ft Hinged Artificial Christmas Tree with Memory Wire Branches

$206.99MSRP $333.10

A Crisp White Canvas for Your Wildest Ornaments

8 ft White Artificial Christmas Tree with 1,430 Tips and Memory Wire

$164.99MSRP $265.22

A Snow-White Tree That Fits Tight Corners

7 ft White Pre-Lit Slim Pencil Christmas Tree with Warm White LEDs

$72.99MSRP $87.17

A Snow-Dusted Six-Footer With Zero Mess

6 ft Snow-Flocked Artificial Christmas Tree with Folding Steel Stand

$50.99MSRP $59.10

Caring for Pre-Lit Trees

Pre-lit trees save hours, and a little care keeps them glowing.

• Plug the tree in and test it before you finish fluffing and decorating, so you can spot problems early.
• Don't pull on light strands or use them to lift or carry sections.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for bulbs, fuses and connections.
• Unplug the tree when you leave the house or go to bed, or use a timer.
• Keep cords out of walkways so no one trips.

Caring for Flocked Trees

Flocked branches bring a snowy look, but the coating needs a gentle touch. The 6 ft Snow-Flocked Artificial Christmas Tree comes in sections that detach for easy setup and storage, which cuts down on handling.

• Handle branches lightly and avoid heavy fluffing on flocked areas.
• Set down a sheet or drop cloth during setup and takedown to catch any loose flocking.
• Wipe gently instead of vacuuming the branches.

For more ideas, see our flocked Christmas tree decorating ideas.

Keeping It Clean

Dust builds up over a season, especially on the lower branches.

1. Before decorating, shake each section gently outdoors or over a sheet.
2. For unflocked trees, use a soft cloth or a vacuum brush attachment on a low setting to remove dust.
3. Avoid water and cleaning sprays, especially on pre-lit trees.
4. Keep the base area tidy. A tree collar helps here.

The 27 in Rustic Hand-Woven Christmas Tree Collar hides the stand and helps keep curious pets and little hands away from the base. It fits trees about 6.9 to 8.9 ft tall and has three panels that join with metal rings.

Taking It Down and Packing It Away

How you pack your tree decides how it looks next year.

1. Remove everything. Take off every ornament, hook, clip and bit of tinsel.
2. Unplug and cool down. Make sure pre-lit trees are unplugged before you start.
3. Work from the top down. Remove the top section first, then the next, and so on.
4. Fold branches gently. Fold hinged branches up toward the pole without forcing them. Don't crush the tips.
5. Use a storage bag or box. Choose one sized for your tree so sections aren't jammed in. The slim pencil tree mentioned above packs back into its slim box.
6. Keep the parts together. Put the stand, any spare bulbs and the instructions in the same container.
7. Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid damp basements and spaces that get very hot, and don't stack heavy boxes on top.

Our full guide on how to store Christmas decorations covers ornaments, lights and more.

When It's Time for an Upgrade

Even with great care, trees eventually wear out. If yours has bald spots, a wobbly pole or a style you've outgrown, now is a good time to browse. A slimmer option like the 7.5 ft Unlit Slim Artificial Christmas Tree gives full height with a smaller footprint. Our guides on how to choose an artificial Christmas tree and pre-lit vs unlit trees can help you decide.

Tall Holiday Height, Smaller Footprint

7.5 ft Unlit Slim Artificial Christmas Tree with PE/PVC Needles

$131.99MSRP $205.69

A Farmhouse Basket Hug for Your Tree Stand

27 in Rustic Hand-Woven Christmas Tree Collar, Natural

$41.99MSRP $48.39

The Classic Green Giant Your Ornaments Deserve

7.5 ft Hinged Green Artificial Christmas Tree with 1588 PVC Tips

$214.99MSRP $342.85

Browse all our Christmas trees. Orders ship from US warehouses and usually arrive in 5-10 business days, with free shipping on orders over $99 in the lower 48 and 30-day returns. Here's to a tree that looks just as good next December!