Christmas Trees Guide: Real vs Artificial & How to Choose

Real vs Artificial: Which Christmas Tree Is Right for You?

Neither choice is wrong — they just serve different Decembers. Real trees are the sensory experience: the pine fragrance, the tradition of choosing one, and a fully biodegradable tree at the end. Artificial trees are the practical investment: identical shape every year, no watering, and a cost per season that keeps dropping the longer you own it.

If you love the ritual, go real — pick up a fresh-cut tree from our own farm. If December is chaos and you want beautiful with zero maintenance, go artificial — start with our full Christmas tree range or browse artificial trees by type.

Real Christmas Trees, Grown on Our Own Dural Farm

We don't buy real trees from a wholesaler — we grow them ourselves. Our farm at Dural in Sydney's Hills District shapes each tree for years before it's cut, which is why our trees are the fullest, most symmetrical real trees you'll find in Australia. Fresh-cut trees are delivered to our stores regularly through the season.

Types of Artificial Christmas Trees

Artificial trees split into families, and knowing the families makes choosing simple.

• Classic unlit trees — you add your own Christmas lights, so the look changes every year. Usually the most affordable.
• Pre-lit LED trees — warm or multi-colour LED Christmas trees with lights factory-wired along the branches. Zero tangle, even glow.
• Fibre optic trees — colour-shifting light travels through the fibre tips themselves. See fibre optic trees and our fibre optic vs LED comparison.
• Pre-flocked and snowy trees — white-tipped branches that fake a European winter. Browse snowy and flocked trees.
• Potted trees — full look from a planter, perfect for verandahs and units. See potted trees.

What Size Christmas Tree Do You Need?

Rule of thumb: leave at least 30cm between the top of your tree (including topper) and the ceiling, and remember a decorated tree's branches spread wider than the box suggests. Measure the spot before you shop — then read our full what size Christmas tree guide.

Fibre Optic or LED Tree — Quick Answer

Fibre optic trees shift slowly through colours and need no decorating to look magical — best for units and secondary rooms. Pre-lit LED trees look like a traditionally decorated tree and let you control warm white, multicolour or twinkle — best for the main family tree. The full breakdown, including lifespan and running cost, is in fibre optic vs LED Christmas trees.

How Many Lights and Baubles Does a Tree Need?

The formulas decorators actually use: roughly 100 lights per 30cm of height for a bright tree, and baubles split about 70% on branches and 30% deeper inside for depth. A 7ft tree wants around 700 lights and 80–100 baubles. Our how to decorate a Christmas tree guide walks through the full method, and the baubles start at baubles.

Setting Up and Shaping Your Tree

A great-looking tree is 70% shaping. Work section by section and the branches will hold their sculpted shape for the season.

Hinged branches drop into place in minutes; hooked branches take longer but pack smaller. Our hinged tree guide explains the difference in plain English.

Caring for a Real Tree

With water and a cool spot, a fresh-cut tree holds its needles for four to six weeks. Cut 1–2cm off the trunk before the first water, keep the reservoir topped up daily, and keep the tree out of direct afternoon sun and away from heat sources.

Complete the Tree: Stands, Skirts and Toppers

Storing Your Tree for Next Christmas

Store clean, dry and dark. A dedicated tree bag beats the original box — the box flattens branches and invites dust. Keep the stand detached and cool; a dry garage shelf or cupboard is perfect. The full range is in tree storage, and our decoration storage solutions cover the rest of the set.

Christmas Tree FAQs

Which is better — a real or artificial Christmas tree?

Real trees win on scent and tradition and are fully recyclable; artificial trees win on cost over the years, convenience and consistency. Choose real for the experience and the fragrance, artificial for low-effort beauty you reuse every season.

How long does a real Christmas tree last?

A fresh-cut tree from our Dural farm stays fresh for four to six weeks with daily watering, a fresh trunk cut before setup, and a spot away from direct sun and heat.

Can I get a real Christmas tree delivered?

No — real trees are in-store pickup only, at Belrose, Alexandria and Penrith. Choosing your tree in person is half the tradition, and it guarantees you take home the freshest cut.

What size Christmas tree should I buy?

Leave at least 30cm between the topper and the ceiling. In a standard 2.4m room that means a 5–6ft tree; most family homes suit a 6.5–7ft tree. Our full size guide covers width and stand height too.

Are fibre optic or LED trees better?

LED pre-lit trees look like a classic decorated tree and suit the main family tree; fibre optic trees create a self-contained colour show that suits units and second rooms. Our fibre optic vs LED guide compares cost, lifespan and look in detail.

What's the difference between hinged and hooked branches?

Hinged branches are permanently attached and fold out in minutes; hooked branches detach for a slimmer storage box but take longer to assemble. Hinged is the more common choice for family trees — see the hinged tree guide.

How many lights and baubles does a 7ft tree need?

Around 700 lights (100 per 30cm of height) and 80–100 baubles, with about 70% placed on branch tips and 30% tucked deeper for depth. The decorating guide has the full method.

How should I store my artificial tree?

Clean, dry and dark — a dedicated tree storage bag, stand detached, in a garage or cupboard away from moisture. Stored well, a quality tree lasts 8–10 years or more. See tree storage.