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Christmas Tree Decorating >
Selecting a
Christmas Tree
Artificial Christmas Trees
Artificial trees have become increasingly popular, as they are
considered more convenient and (if used for several years) less
expensive than real trees, as well as less wasteful than cutting
down real trees. Trees come in a number of colours and "species",
and some come pre-decorated with lights. At the end of the Christmas
season artificial trees can be disassembled and stored compactly.
Artificial trees are sometimes even a necessity in some rented
homes (especially apartment flats), due to the potential fire danger
from a dried-out real tree, leading to their prohibition by some
landlords. They may also be necessary for people who have an allergy
to conifers, and are increasingly popular in office settings.
Feather trees
The first artificial trees were tabletop feather trees, made from
green-dyed goose feathers wound onto sticks drilled into a larger
one, like the branches on a tree. Originating in Germany in the 19th
century to prevent further deforestation, these "minimalist" trees
show off small ornaments very well. The first feather trees came to
the U.S. in 1913, in the Sears, Roebuck and Company catalog.
Brush trees
The first modern artificial Christmas trees were produced by
companies which made brushes. They were made the same way, using
animal hair (mainly pig bristles) and later plastic bristles, dyed
pine-green in colour, inserted between twisted wires that form the
branches. The bases of the branches were then twisted together to
form a large branch, which was then inserted by the user into a
wooden pole (now metal with plastic rings) for a trunk. Each row of
branches is a different size, colour-coded at the base with paint or
stickers for ease of assembly.
Designer Trees
Many more types of trees are available for decorating, Metallic
or tinsel trees are popular during Christmas time. They can be used
safely with lights, due to the use of flame retardant materials.
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