Artificial versus Realistic

Christmas Tree - Artificial versus Realistic
By Bill Quinn

Types of Artificial Christmas Trees There are significant differences in the two primary methods of branch construction on artificial Christmas trees. It used to be that artificial meant artificial – now artificial can mean realistic. Confused, read on and the difference becomes clear.

Artificial Christmas Trees The branches on traditional Artificial Christmas Trees resemble a brush used to clean the inside of bottles (Bottle brush). The manufacturer takes thin sheets of plastic and shreds the plastic into tiny strips. Those strips are then placed between two wires and the wires are twisted tightly together to hold the plastic. This construction technique is technically called PVC for Polyvinyl Chloride. Therefore, if you see a Christmas tree called artificial, PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride, think “bottle brush” technique.

Realistic Christmas Trees The branches on Realistic Christmas Trees are created out of molded plastic. The technical name for this type of plastic is PE or Polyethylene. Often, a branch is cut from a real, fresh Christmas tree, packed in dry ice and shipped to the factory to create a mold. This method of manufacturing has been around for many years and has recently made a come back in the general market place. Therefore, if you see a Christmas tree called realistic, PE or Polyethylene, know it is the same.

With this introduction, let’s discuss the differences.