How to Choose the Perfect Christmas Tree

Christmas trees bring Holiday cheer to the home. There are two main types of trees to choose from: real and artificial. This guide can help you decide which is the best option for you.

Impress Your Guests with a Well-Decorated Christmas Tree

In many homes, the Christmas tree is the focal point of the Holiday decor. It serves as a gathering point for friends and family and, most importantly, it is where all of the presents are found!

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Collage of 4 decorated artificial Christmas trees

About Artificial Christmas Trees

There are a number of reasons why artificial Christmas trees have been steadily growing in popularity. They mimic spruce, fir, and pine, are available in a wide range of colours, and come alive with multiple lights and realistic features.

Let’s take a look at the 3 main benefits they offer:

Simple care and maintenance. Unlike real Christmas trees, artificial trees don’t require any maintenance. They don’t need to be watered in order to prevent wilting, and you won’t need to regularly sweep up fallen pine needles.
Easy setup and storage. Artificial Christmas trees are designed for simple setup using a hinged or folding mechanism. After the holidays are over, the tree is just as easy to take down. When collapsed, an artificial tree also has a compact footprint so that it doesn’t take up a lot of storage space.
Long-term savings. If properly stored at the end of each season, artificial trees can last for many years. They are a highly cost-effective option, saving you the price of a new tree every Christmas. Because some trees also come prelit, you will be saving on the cost of Christmas lights as well.

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How to Choose the Right Artificial Christmas Tree

Artificial Christmas trees come in a wide range of styles and designs, making it easy to find the perfect one for your home. Here are some factors to consider while you shop:

Height. Most artificial Christmas trees are between 5’ and 8.5’ tall and suitable for typical living areas. If you have high ceilings and are looking to make a statement, then you can also find trees over 9’ tall to fill the space.
Width. Artificial trees come in a range of widths, from full to slim. A slim Christmas tree is a good choice for a smaller living area, as it won’t make the room feel too crowded.
Lighting. Not only do many artificial trees have LED lights, but there are several lighting options to choose from as well. Some prelit Christmas trees come with classic white lights while others are available with multicoloured bulbs. Depending on the tree, you may also have the option to select different settings for beautiful lighting patterns.

Don’t Forget the Finishing Touch

No Christmas tree is complete without a beautiful tree skirt to add that finishing touch. Our collection is designed to complement any Holiday decor. Whether you prefer a traditional red and green design or a more modern and elegant look, we have the perfect tree skirt to suit your style.

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Outdoor Artificial Trees

Artificial trees also make fantastic outdoor decor for your porch or doorstep. These specialized potted Christmas trees come in ornamental planters and are prelit for easy decorating. Built-in timers and battery operation offer added convenience.

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Pro Tip

The needles of artificial Christmas trees have traditionally been made from polyvinyl chloride. Today, you can also find artificial trees made from polyethylene, which tends to have a more realistic look. If you want your artificial tree to appear as natural as possible, then choose one with polyethylene needles.

Young woman looking at a fresh Christmas tree

About Natural Christmas Trees

While there is a lot to love about artificial trees, many people still prefer the real thing. As close as they come, artificial trees can’t perfectly replicate the look, feel, and especially the fresh fragrance of a natural tree. Find a real Christmas tree this season by visiting your local RONA store.

Natural Christmas tree care

Real Christmas trees require a little more care and maintenance than artificial ones, but it is well worth the effort. First, you will need to set up a tree stand that can hold at least four litres of water. Make sure you place your tree in the stand within four hours of purchase or sap will seal the trunk and prevent the tree from absorbing the water. Fill the stand with warm water initially to help the sap flow and top the water up every day.

Environmental considerations

If you purchase your Christmas tree from a RONA store, you can be certain that it is sourced in an environmentally responsible manner. The varieties of fresh Christmas trees available in our stores are the balsam fir, Fraser fir, and Cook fir. The latter is a new variety that can replace the Fraser, which is increasingly rare on the market. The quality of the Cook fir is somewhere between the balsam and the Fraser. At the end of the season, Christmas trees can be recycled into mulch for gardening and landscaping.

How to Choose the Right Natural Christmas Tree

One of the best parts of choosing a real Christmas tree is getting to go and pick it out. Make it a fun outing by bringing the whole family along to your local RONA store to have a look at the selection. Discover the perfect tree to bring home, set up, and decorate together.

The fresher a tree is when you buy it, the longer it will hold on to its needles. To test for a fresh tree, hold a small branch between your thumb and forefinger and move your fingers along its length. Ideally, only about 5-10 needles should fall off, though more may drop in particularly cold and dry conditions.

When you have chosen a tree, our store associates will cut the base to help keep it fresh, bale the tree for easy transport, and load it in or on your vehicle.

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Add Some More Holiday Cheer with Seasonal Plants

Don’t forget to pick up a variety of fresh seasonal plants like wreaths, garlands, and poinsettias to decorate your home.

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Pro Tip

If you are not ready to bring a real Christmas tree inside right away upon getting home, make sure you store it in a cool place that is protected from the weather, like an unheated garage or enclosed porch.