This post is in partnership with Balsam Hill.
It’s a topic that comes up every year and one that I hear people talk about all the time! Real versus artificial Christmas trees! Which team are you on? I’m actually on both and I’ll explain why in a second, but today I want to talk about the differences between our real and artificial tree and hear your opinions.
Real Versus Artificial Christmas Trees
Every year we have one real tree in our main living room. It is our family tradition to head to our local tree farm and pick out a real tree together. Then we have 1-2 artificial trees throughout the rest of the house, those I can put up early and not have to worry about them dying by the end of the season!
This year, Balsam Hill sent me one of the 9′ Frasier Fir Artificial Tree and I’m going to compare it to our real 9′ Frasier Fir we got at our local tree farm.
Color Difference
For me, one of the most noticeable differences is the color of the tree. This may have a lot to do with where we live, the PNW is so lush and green that our Frasier Fir from here is a very deep green. The faux tree is a much lighter green , especially on the tips of the branches.
Needle Length
The needle length is different as well. The real tree has longer needle length making it seem fuller. The artificial Christmas tree has shorter needles and there are only realistic branches in the front, where the parts closer to the base are more filler branches. By fluffing the branches, this can create a fuller look. I have always been so impressed by how all realistic all of the Balsam Hill trees and greenery feel.
Tree Shape
Trees found in nature are rarely perfectly symmetrical, so if you crave that perfect shape I would definitely go with the faux. They really have gorgeous lines and you can always count on them being the perfect shape. When it come to real Christmas trees, you have to really search for one with a great shape! We always have to hunt for one at the tree farm!
Longevity
This point may be pretty obvious, but with a real tree we get 4 weeks max until it starts get too dry. We typically take ours down right after Christmas because the needles start breaking off.
With a faux tree, you can use it for years and years to come! I love that I can put my faux trees up as early as I want and I don’t have to worry about watering them!
Here are how the trees look all lite up! I also did little IGTV video talking about the trees, you can view that here!
So what about you? Do you prefer real or artificial Christmas trees?
Balsam Hill has so many wonderful artificial Christmas trees to choose from, head here to shop!
About Taryn Whiteaker
Hi! I’m Taryn! The voice behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. I launched this brand over 11 years ago when I became a stay-at-home mom. What started as a small craft and mom blog eventually grew into a full time design and DIY site. My goal has always been to inspire others (especially women!) with design ideas, DIY tutorials, entertaining ideas and give you the tools you need to complete them yourself!
Since we have recently moved to Iowa, I invested in an artificial tree. We have radiant heat and I fear a real tree will dry out way to fast. I plan to bring a real wreath in for smell, but not the tree. I’m tired of cleaning up the mess, honestly, and it ALWAYS falls to me! Plus, I like to have the tree up a long time. I bought a pre-lit tree but plan to add more lights. This only has to get done ONCE as I will wire each section.
Last year I. Lost 3 glass ornaments due to branch fatigue, that won’t happen on an artificial tree. I can also open up spots for my large pieces. I have several Christopher Radco ornaments that are really big! I am looking forward to being IN CHARGE of my branches!
I Like both kind of trees but My favorite tree is a white Tree its glamorous to me and like a winter wonderland feeling for me so in that case i says faux white trees all the way for us.
Dear Taryn:
For me it is a matter of life or death. If I put a real tree up about the second or third day it’s up I go into respiratory distress and end up being rushed to the ER or being confined to our bedroom not even being able to come out for Christmas or to go to the kitchen. I bought a artificial tree in the 90’s and are now working on about our 5th tree because they were all bought at yard sales. I would love to get one of the artificial trees you mentioned because they are so lifelike. I know my family would enjoy one of them even if it does not smell like a real tree. At least they have a tree. Now I have to find a place to get my Channukkah (this is the way my Zeide (Grandfather in Hebrew) spelled it because that is how they spelled it in the German town where his parents came from) There are not of places to find decorations in the area I live in. Will look the 17th when I have a Dr. appointment in the big city 180 miles from our home (OK, OK I admit it we live in the boondocks but we love our privacy here with our closest neighbor in 1/2 mile from our house. After 49 years with people around us we appreciate the quiet.