# How to Fluff an Artificial Christmas Tree: Step by Step By the Urban Picks team · Updated November 3, 2026 Every artificial tree arrives with its branches pressed flat for the box. Fluffing is the step that turns them into a full tree: you spread each tip by hand, working from the trunk out and from the bottom up. Expect about 30 minutes on a narrow 7 ft pencil tree and up to an hour on a 9 ft full tree. This guide covers the steps in order, how long they take, and what changes on pre-lit, pencil, tinsel, white and flocked trees. ## Key takeaways - Shape one section at a time, bottom first, before the upper sections get in the way. - On each branch, start at the trunk and work out, spreading the tips up, out and to the sides. - Bend each tip once near its base; bending it back and forth can weaken the wire. - Time grows with tip count: about 30 minutes for our 499-tip pencil tree, up to 60 minutes for our 9 ft tree. - On pre-lit trees, check each section's lights before shaping and keep the bulbs pointing outward. - Fold the tips back toward the pole before storing, so the tree needs less work next year. ## Before you start: space, gloves and time Clear a spot wider than the tree's listed diameter so you can walk all the way around it while you work. Our 7 ft pencil trees are 21.75 in across, our full 6 ft trees 38.6 to 43.25 in, and our 9 ft white tree 57.1 in. Wear light gloves and long sleeves. Branch tips are stiff, and an hour of shaping is hard on bare hands. Plan the time by the number of tips. Our 7 ft black pencil tree has 499 tips and takes about 30 minutes. Our 6 ft pre-lit tree has 2,328 tips and takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Our 9 ft white tree has 2,132 tips on much longer branches and takes about 45 to 60 minutes. - [7 ft Pencil Christmas Tree with 499 Tips, Unlit, Black](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-499-tips-unlit-black): $47.13 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-499-tips-unlit-black.md)) A tall, narrow black tree for a corner holiday display. - [6 ft Christmas Tree with 400 Warm White LEDs, Green](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-christmas-tree-400-warm-white-leds-green): $110.88 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-christmas-tree-400-warm-white-leds-green.md)) A full green tree with eight ways to light the evening. - [9 ft Artificial Christmas Tree, Unlit, White](https://urban-picks.com/products/9-ft-artificial-christmas-tree-unlit-white): $62.84 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/9-ft-artificial-christmas-tree-unlit-white.md)) Fully white and unlit, so you choose the lights and ornaments. ## Step 1: Set up the stand and the bottom section Put the stand together on a level floor and fit the bottom section first. Shape one section at a time, starting at the bottom: the lowest branches are the longest and the easiest to reach, and you can get to the inner tips before the upper sections are in the way. On a tree with hinged branches, the branches are already attached and drop down as you lift the section into place. Lower each one all the way before you start shaping. Our Norway spruce tree works this way, with pre-attached hinged branches on both the 6 ft size (888 tips) and the 7.5 ft size (1,388 tips). - [Christmas Tree with Hinged Norway Spruce Branches, Unlit](https://urban-picks.com/products/unlit-norway-spruce-christmas-tree-hinged-branches): from $57.27 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/unlit-norway-spruce-christmas-tree-hinged-branches.md)) A full spruce silhouette, ready for your own holiday decorations. ## Step 2: Work from the trunk out, one branch at a time Start with the tips closest to the center pole. These are the ones that hide the pole, and they are the hardest to reach once the outer tips are spread. On each branch, spread the tips like the fingers of an open hand: one pointing straight out, the others angled up, down and to the sides. Then move to the next branch and finish a full ring around the tree before you move up a level. ## Step 3: Shape each tip up, out and to the sides Bend each tip near its base, where it joins the branch, rather than pulling on the end. Set it once; bending the same tip back and forth can weaken the wire inside. Tilt the end of each branch slightly upward for the classic tapered look. Leave a little space between tips so ornaments have somewhere to hang. ## Step 4: Add the next section and repeat Fit the middle section, shape it the same way, then add the top. The top tips are short, so point them upward to bring the tree to a clean point. Step back and look at the tree from across the room, at eye level and from a seated height. Fill any hole by moving the tips next to it into the gap rather than adding more tips to one spot. For the top of a tall tree, shape the section before you lift it into place, or use a stable step stool rather than reaching from the floor. ## Pre-lit trees: check the lights, then shape around them Before you shape a section, plug it in briefly to check that the lights work, then unplug it. A dead section is much easier to deal with before the branches are spread and decorated. Shape the tips around the light wires without pulling on them, and leave the bulbs near the ends of the branches pointing outward so the light is not buried inside the tree. Our 6 ft tree with 400 warm white LEDs has hinged branches that drop open during its three-piece assembly, and its tips take about 30 to 45 minutes to shape. It has eight lighting modes and a 14.8 ft cord, and it is for indoor use only. - [6 ft Christmas Tree with 400 Warm White LEDs, Green](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-christmas-tree-400-warm-white-leds-green): $110.88 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-christmas-tree-400-warm-white-leds-green.md)) A full green tree with eight ways to light the evening. - [6 ft Wide Christmas Tree with 300 Warm White LEDs, Green](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-wide-christmas-tree-300-warm-white-leds-green): $135.44 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-wide-christmas-tree-300-warm-white-leds-green.md)) A broad green silhouette with lights already in place. - [7 ft Slim Christmas Tree with Colorful LEDs, Green](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-slim-christmas-tree-colorful-leds-remote-green): $106.51 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-slim-christmas-tree-colorful-leds-remote-green.md)) A tall fir silhouette with lighting you can change from your seat. ## Pencil and slim trees: shape for height, not width A pencil tree has short branches and fewer tips, so the goal is a neat column rather than a wide cone. Point the tips upward and keep them fairly close to the pole; fanning them far out makes a narrow tree look thin. Our 7 ft black pencil tree is 21.75 in across and 84 in tall including the base, with 499 tips in three sections, and takes about 30 minutes to shape. Its plastic stand has four feet and comes off for storage. We also carry pencil trees in white and blue at 7 ft and in black at 6 ft. - [7 ft Pencil Christmas Tree with 499 Tips, Unlit, Black](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-499-tips-unlit-black): $47.13 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-499-tips-unlit-black.md)) A tall, narrow black tree for a corner holiday display. - [7 ft Pencil Christmas Tree, Unlit, White](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-unlit-white): $48.32 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-unlit-white.md)) Full-height holiday decorating with a narrow footprint. - [7-Foot Pencil Christmas Tree with Plastic Stand, Blue](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-foot-blue-pencil-christmas-tree-plastic-stand): $47.13 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-foot-blue-pencil-christmas-tree-plastic-stand.md)) Seven feet of blue in a narrow pencil shape. - [6 ft Pencil Christmas Tree, Unlit, Black](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-unlit-black): $41.86 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-unlit-black.md)) A tall, narrow tree for a holiday corner. ## Tinsel trees: spread with an open hand Tinsel foliage is made of thin reflective strands that can kink if you squeeze them. Spread the tips with an open hand instead of closing your fist around a branch and pulling it through. Our 7 ft silver tinsel pencil tree is 21.75 in across and 84 in tall including the base, weighs 7.1 lb and sits on a detachable plastic stand. It is unlit, so add lights after the tips are shaped. For a silver tree with regular branches, we also carry a 6 ft slim silver tree. - [7 ft Pencil Christmas Tree with Tinsel, Unlit, Silver](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-tinsel-unlit-silver): $47.13 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-tinsel-unlit-silver.md)) A tall silver tree with a narrow 21.75-inch footprint. - [6 ft Christmas Tree with Slim Profile, Unlit, Silver](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-slim-christmas-tree-unlit-silver): $40.37 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-slim-christmas-tree-unlit-silver.md)) A silver pencil tree for a small-room Christmas corner. ## Big, full and colored trees: budget an hour The more tips a tree has, the longer it takes. Full trees also have longer branches, so work around the tree in rings and keep the inner tips for each ring first. Our 7 ft pink tree is white at the top and blush pink below, about 47.25 in across with 1000 tips, and its hinged branches open as you assemble it. Our 9 ft white tree has hinged, auto-opening sections and 2,132 tips; allow 45 to 60 minutes, and measure first, because at 108 in tall it needs a ceiling higher than 9 ft. White and pastel trees are shaped exactly like green ones. Their color shows the outline plainly, so it is worth a second look from across the room before you decorate. - [7 ft Christmas Tree with 1000 Tips, Unlit, Pink](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-unlit-pink-christmas-tree-1000-tips): $57.77 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-unlit-pink-christmas-tree-1000-tips.md)) White at the top, blush pink below, ready for your own decorations. - [9 ft Artificial Christmas Tree, Unlit, White](https://urban-picks.com/products/9-ft-artificial-christmas-tree-unlit-white): $62.84 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/9-ft-artificial-christmas-tree-unlit-white.md)) Fully white and unlit, so you choose the lights and ornaments. - [6 ft Christmas Tree with 800 Tips, Unlit, Pink](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-christmas-tree-800-tips-unlit-pink): $47.63 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-christmas-tree-800-tips-unlit-pink.md)) A pink-and-white Christmas centerpiece with 800 branch tips. - [Christmas Tree with Hinged Norway Spruce Branches, Unlit](https://urban-picks.com/products/unlit-norway-spruce-christmas-tree-hinged-branches): from $57.27 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/unlit-norway-spruce-christmas-tree-hinged-branches.md)) A full spruce silhouette, ready for your own holiday decorations. ## Flocked trees: fluff once, gently Flocking is the white, snow-like coating on some trees, and it sheds a little when the branches are handled. Lay an old sheet under the tree, hold each branch farther in rather than by its snowy tip, and spread the tips once instead of shaking them. Shape a flocked tree a single time and then leave it alone for the season. For more on how flocked trees differ, see our guide to flocked vs. unflocked Christmas trees. - [6 ft Pencil Christmas Tree with Faux Snow, Unlit, Green](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-snow-flocked-pencil-christmas-tree-green): $44.24 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-snow-flocked-pencil-christmas-tree-green.md)) A snowy six-foot tree for a narrow corner. - [Pencil Christmas Tree with Snow Flocking, 90 in, Green](https://urban-picks.com/products/pencil-christmas-tree-snow-flocking-90-in-green): $58.46 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/pencil-christmas-tree-snow-flocking-90-in-green.md)) A tall, snowy tree with a narrow 26.75-inch footprint. - [Pencil Christmas Tree with Snow Flocking, Unlit](https://urban-picks.com/products/unlit-pencil-christmas-tree-snow-flocking): from $44.24 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/unlit-pencil-christmas-tree-snow-flocking.md)) A snowy focal point for a narrow indoor corner. - [90 in Pencil Christmas Tree with 350 LEDs, Flocked, Pink](https://urban-picks.com/products/90-in-pink-flocked-pencil-christmas-tree-350-leds): $60.66 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/90-in-pink-flocked-pencil-christmas-tree-350-leds.md)) A tall, narrow tree with snowy pink branches and warm white lights. ## Finish the base, and pack the tree so next year is easier Once the tips are shaped, cover the stand with a tree skirt or a tree collar. A collar suits narrow pencil trees, while a skirt spreads wider under full trees. At the end of the season, take the ornaments off one at a time, then fold the tips back up toward the pole before you separate the sections. Folded tips fit a box or storage bag without being crushed, and a tree stored cool and dry with nothing heavy on top needs less shaping the next year. - [Christmas Tree Collar with Woven Panels, 27 in, Natural](https://urban-picks.com/products/woven-christmas-tree-collar-27-in-natural): $31.72 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/woven-christmas-tree-collar-27-in-natural.md)) A woven surround for the stand beneath your Christmas tree - [Christmas Tree Collar with Woven Panels, 27 in, Coffee](https://urban-picks.com/products/christmas-tree-collar-woven-panels-27-in-coffee): $44.24 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/christmas-tree-collar-woven-panels-27-in-coffee.md)) A woven border for the tree stand, in three removable panels. - [48 in Tree Skirt with Knitted Snowflakes, Red and Cream](https://urban-picks.com/products/48-in-knitted-snowflake-tree-skirt-red-cream): $61.34 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/48-in-knitted-snowflake-tree-skirt-red-cream.md)) A knitted snowflake base for your Christmas tree. - [Christmas Tree Skirt with Reversible Faux Fur](https://urban-picks.com/products/christmas-tree-skirt-reversible-faux-fur): from $64.54 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/christmas-tree-skirt-reversible-faux-fur.md)) Two textures and ribbon ties for the base of your tree. ## Questions - **How long does it take to fluff an artificial Christmas tree?** It depends on the number of tips. Our 7 ft black pencil tree with 499 tips takes about 30 minutes, our 6 ft pre-lit tree with 2,328 tips about 30 to 45 minutes, and our 9 ft white tree with 2,132 tips about 45 to 60 minutes. - **Should you fluff a Christmas tree from the top or the bottom?** From the bottom. Fit and shape the bottom section first, then add and shape each section above it. The inner tips are easiest to reach before the next section is in place. - **Do hinged branches still need fluffing?** Yes. Hinged branches drop into place on their own, but the tips stay pressed flat from the box until you spread them by hand. - **How do you make an artificial Christmas tree look fuller?** Shape the inner tips near the pole first so the pole does not show, spread every tip in a different direction, and fill gaps by moving the tips around them. Then look at the tree from across the room and adjust. - **Should a pre-lit tree be plugged in while you fluff it?** Plug each section in briefly to check that its lights work, then unplug it before you shape the branches around the wires. - **Do you need gloves to fluff a Christmas tree?** They help. The tips are stiff, and shaping a full tree takes up to an hour, so light gloves and long sleeves make the job more comfortable. ## Related picks - [Christmas Tree with Hinged Norway Spruce Branches, Unlit](https://urban-picks.com/products/unlit-norway-spruce-christmas-tree-hinged-branches): from $57.27 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/unlit-norway-spruce-christmas-tree-hinged-branches.md)) A full spruce silhouette, ready for your own holiday decorations. - [6 ft Christmas Tree with 400 Warm White LEDs, Green](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-christmas-tree-400-warm-white-leds-green): $110.88 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-christmas-tree-400-warm-white-leds-green.md)) A full green tree with eight ways to light the evening. - [9 ft Artificial Christmas Tree, Unlit, White](https://urban-picks.com/products/9-ft-artificial-christmas-tree-unlit-white): $62.84 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/9-ft-artificial-christmas-tree-unlit-white.md)) Fully white and unlit, so you choose the lights and ornaments. - [7 ft Christmas Tree with 1000 Tips, Unlit, Pink](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-unlit-pink-christmas-tree-1000-tips): $57.77 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-unlit-pink-christmas-tree-1000-tips.md)) White at the top, blush pink below, ready for your own decorations. - [7 ft Pencil Christmas Tree with 499 Tips, Unlit, Black](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-499-tips-unlit-black): $47.13 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-499-tips-unlit-black.md)) A tall, narrow black tree for a corner holiday display. - [7 ft Pencil Christmas Tree with Tinsel, Unlit, Silver](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-tinsel-unlit-silver): $47.13 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/7-ft-pencil-christmas-tree-tinsel-unlit-silver.md)) A tall silver tree with a narrow 21.75-inch footprint. - [6 ft Wide Christmas Tree with 300 Warm White LEDs, Green](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-wide-christmas-tree-300-warm-white-leds-green): $135.44 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/6-ft-wide-christmas-tree-300-warm-white-leds-green.md)) A broad green silhouette with lights already in place. - [Christmas Tree Collar with Woven Panels, 27 in, Natural](https://urban-picks.com/products/woven-christmas-tree-collar-27-in-natural): $31.72 · in stock · Free US shipping ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/products/woven-christmas-tree-collar-27-in-natural.md)) A woven surround for the stand beneath your Christmas tree [More in Holiday & Seasonal](https://urban-picks.com/collections/holiday) ([Markdown](https://urban-picks.com/collections/holiday.md)) Questions about a specific product? Email [support@urban-picks.com](mailto:support@urban-picks.com) or see the [FAQ](https://urban-picks.com/faq). [View this page on urban-picks.com](https://urban-picks.com/guides/how-to-fluff-an-artificial-christmas-tree)