Artificial Christmas Trees Tested Which are the best artificial Christmas trees for your family? Good Housekeeping did some lab and consumer testing to find some answers. “We tested trees for durability and flammability. Some of the trees were much easier to tip over than others. All the trees, though, did pass our flammability test and don’t pose a hazard for catching on fire,” says Todd Kent, engineer, Good Housekeeping Institute.
Good Housekeeping also had some consumers come in and score trees for appearance, describing what they looked for in a Christmas tree. The results? Panelists chose the Balsam Hill as their favorite because of its rich green color and natural looking fall of branches. “The tree is full. I love the fact that the needles are thick. You can’t see the trunk of the tree. It looks like a natural tree.” says Nicole Larson, tree evaluator.
The GE Just Cut Fraser Fir from Lowe’s was the “Best Value” at just $300. “Consumers really liked the plentiful lighting on the GE tree. They also liked the lighted connection at the top of the tree for hooking in an electrical ornament, and the foot pedal that helps turn on and off the lights,” says Kent. All of the artificial Christmas trees in the Good Housekeeping test were faux versions of “Fraser Fir” trees.
Although many require two people to take them apart, disassembly of the trees is easy. The trunk separates into sections. Then you fold up the branches, which are hinged. One final note: Good Housekeeping says it’s important not to let children climb on an artificial Christmas tree. And it’s a good idea to buy storage bags or containers to put the trees in when you’re done. It can be hard to squeeze the trees back in their original bags or boxes.