Is it worthwhile to buy Balsam Hill Christmas trees? Here’s our frank assessment

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Growing up, the Christmas tree was an integral element of my family’s Christmas traditions. The Christmas season could not properly begin until we had successfully sourced and constructed our fragrant evergreen.

If there is no Christmas tree in my living room, no amount of lights, garland, carols, or Santas can make it feel like Christmas.

As a new homeowner with an ever-growing list of new household responsibilities, the prospect of locating a tree, watering it, keeping the dogs away from it, cleaning up after it, and cutting it all down no longer excites me. Now, I just want it done.

Throughout the most of my life, I was passionately opposed to anything like an artificial Christmas tree. But here’s the thing: as an adult, I am able to cross tree farms with my nieces and travel more around the holidays than I did as a child. Plus, let’s be honest; I’m just plain exhausted. Who can identify?

So I decided to test out a fake tree this year. And what better artificial tree to evaluate than the Rolls-Royce of artificial trees? The most wanted Christmas tree from Balsam Hill.

Balsam Hill

If you had told me 20 years ago, or even just a few years ago, that I would reject the opportunity to bring a fresh Fraser fir or sappy blue spruce into my new house, I would have laughed in your face. Oh, how times have changed!

Balsam Hill’s Realism, from left to right: Traditional, Realistic, and Most Realistic

I choose the BH Balsam Fir Flip Tree as my Christmas tree. Yes, if I’m going to be artificial, I’ll do it properly. I want something that not only appears authentic but is also really simple.

Three levels of realism are available for Balsam Hill Christmas trees:

These are the sorts of trees with which most people are familiar. Balsam Hill employs 100 percent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to make their “Classic Needle” foliage, which is typically more cost-effective.
Realistic: Balsam Hill’s Realistic trees employ up to 65 percent polyethylene (PE) to generate “True Needle” foliage, as described by the company. The remaining tree foliage is Classic Needle, which delivers the desired realism on a limited budget.

These are the trees that first spring to mind when you think of Balsam Hill. These trees utilize greater than 65 percent True Needle foliage for exceptional realism, with Classic Needles positioned deeper in the tree towards the trunk to create volume and depth.

It’s okay if you don’t know where to start. I was equally uncertain. Given that this is what Balsam Hill is known for, it should come as no surprise that their tree-selection guide is highly detailed and user-friendly.

The 7.5-foot pre-lit Balsam Fir Flip Tree, which comes under the category “Most Realistic” on the Balsam Hill website, appeared ideal.

My Tree Shipping
On the left is the delivered box. Correct: the tree’s packaging within the box.
Barret Wertz

My line of work involves receiving several parcels. This affords me the opportunity to become acquainted with my FedEx delivery guy.

“What’s inside?! Someone?” As I opened my front door, he questioned, lugging the coffin-sized box across my front yard. I enthusiastically exclaimed, “My new Christmas tree!”

It was immediately apparent that this would not be a flimsy fake Christmas tree from a discount store that would make me instantly regret my purchase. I brought the box inside and took a step back – this was going to be a major undertaking. I couldn’t wait to open it and behold its splendor.

The Context
Left: a Balsam Hill Christmas tree stored in its bag. Right: The tree’s trunk before it was turned.
Barret Wertz

Setup was fairly simple. I started by removing the tree from the box by rolling it out. The packaged tree was brought erect, so it was just necessary to release the clasp holding it in place.

After removing the Christmas tree from the box and placing it where I desired, I swiftly peeled apart the velcro to uncover what seemed to be a shattered tree. It appeared to be considerably broader at the top than at the bottom and gave off artificial tree feelings.

A Balsam Hill Flip tree is flipped.

Before proceeding, I viewed the Flip Tree setup video. I did not believe it would be as simple as inventor of the Flip Tree Bruce Schooley and, presumably, his wife Valerie said in the one-minute video. Consequently, I was astounded when I realized it was that simple.

I started by removing the tree from the box by rolling it out. The packaged tree was brought erect, so it was just necessary to release the clasp holding it in place. After removing the tree from the box and placing it where I desired, I quickly peeled away the velcro to show what seemed to be a damaged Christmas tree. It was significantly broader at the top than at the bottom and gave me artificial tree feelings.

Balsam Hill

I swiftly and simply flipped the tree over by locking the wheels and placing my foot on the side of the stand, as directed by the Schooleys. Now, the conventional fake tree branches that served as filler deep inside the base of the tree have almost entirely been replaced by hyperrealistic fir branches.

You inquire, where is the remaining half of the tree? Packaged with care in its own Rudolph-red Velcro bag, which is precisely designed to protect and shape the tree’s crown.

I swiftly put the smaller bag’s trunk into the opening of the larger bag’s base, and that was all. I purchased a pre-lit tree, which needed one extra step of connecting the electricity when attaching the top and bottom, but after that I was nearly finished.

The Zhuzhing Barret Wertz

The next stage, which is very important for beginners, is to fluff and shape the tree to mirror the genuine appearance of full vegetation. In case you were wondering, Balsam Hill also compensated for this by sending not one, but two pairs of gloves that allow you to form the branches without fear of being pricked by sharp needles.

Bringing It Down

If I thought setting up this tree was simple, I was in for a surprise when it came time to take it down. Unfortunately, we laypeople must still remove the ornaments and place them in Rubbermaid containers.

However, after this phase of the breakdown is over, you can forget about dealing with unruly light strings, dry, sharp needles, and gummy water. This tree is expensive for a specific purpose. The concept eliminates the labor required to maintain a tree so that you may enjoy it.

Unplug the single strand of lights and place the upper part of the tree in the red velcro bag. Next, unlock the base wheels and give it a solid push; it will magically flip over and take its place till the next year.

Getting the large red bag wrapped and velcroed around the base of the tree was the most challenging aspect – I hate to even call it tough. Once it has been molded and fluffed sufficiently for celebration, it does not fit as well in the bag as before.

Arguments for and against a Balsam Hill Christmas Tree
The Pluses
This tree appears quite realistic.
No watering, no vacuuming, and virtually no fire danger
The pre-lit option made set-up even simpler and resulted in less swear words worthy of the naughty list when attempting to untangle ridiculous strings of lights.
The flip design and moving castor base make unpacking, assembly, disassembly, packing, and transporting the table a breeze.

The 7.5-foot height is ideal for any future space, allowing me to reuse it for many years and so saving me money.
The Negatives
No signature sappy fragrance
The webpage does not indicate that this tree is recyclable or biodegradable (however, the brand does work with Give Back Box, a charity allowing me to donate my tree, free of charge when I am done with it)
Short-term expense – This tree was not inexpensive, nor was it manufactured inexpensively.

PVC and other chemicals employed may be dangerous to humans and the environment; this is a point to keep in mind while considering this or any fake tree.
My Verdict

If you are in the market for an artificial Christmas tree, I strongly advise you to begin your search with Balsam Hill.

Possibly due to the fact that this is my first Christmas with a Balsam Hill tree, I am quite excited. It’s as if I’ve been admitted into a Christmas club I never knew I needed. I can’t wait to curl up on my sofa, build a fire, and plug in my favorite Bath & Body Works Fresh Balsam Wallflower candle (you heard me – they are the best, what can I say).

It’s simple to suggest that the realism of your Christmas tree doesn’t important, but once you get another cheap plastic tree, it will look like another cheap tree. A tree constructed with future family celebrations in mind will look better and stay longer than a tree made of cheap plastic. If you’re searching for a cheap, disposable tree, continue your search. If you’re searching for the final tree you’ll ever need to purchase, you’ve come to the perfect spot.

Your budget mostly determines which Balsam Hill tree is ideal for you. Prices for trees in the category of Most Realistic range from $349 to over $10,000. Realistic trees range in price from $499 to $11,000. Traditional trees range in price from $299 to $3,200.

Keep in mind that the higher a tree is, the more expensive it will be. Realistic and Most Realistic trees on Balsam Hill may reach heights of 18 feet, while Traditional trees reach a maximum height of 15 feet.

In addition, accessories such as lights and the exclusive flip design of some trees increase the price. However, there is no need to feel as though you must spend three months’ worth of mortgage payments to get a single fake (appearing) Christmas tree. Plenty of 7- to 7.5-foot-tall quality trees, ranging from Traditional to Most Realistic, are available for less than $1,000.

I discovered nine of the finest Balsam Hill artificial Christmas trees that cost less than $1,000:

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