During the holiday season, Christmas trees are the focal point of many eye-catching displays. If your commercial property is setting up a display of its own, the right-sized artificial Christmas tree will make a statement. When assessing the size of a Christmas tree, there is more to consider than just height. The tree’s diameter and fullness are other important considerations.
Read the following commercial Christmas tree size guide to make it easier to choose the ideal tree for your business.
What’s the Right Size for a Commercial Christmas Tree?
Height and diameter are the measurements of interest when choosing a Christmas tree. And between the two, height will largely steer the decision, so the recommendation is to base the main part of your decision by the ceiling height. If you are setting up a display in an outdoor space, the sky is the limit, literally.
When determining the ideal height of the tree for the space, it is important to include the tree stand height and dimensions in the calculations. In general, aim for a Christmas tree that leaves at least 6-12 inches of clearance between the top of the tree and the ceiling. This includes anything placed on top of the tree – like a tree-topper ornament or other decorations. The higher the ceiling, the more clearance you will want to leave for appearance reasons. So, if your ceiling height is 20 feet high, you will need a Christmas tree that is no more than 19 feet high. If you anticipate adding a topper, choose a slightly shorter tree.
For commercial spaces, the preferred range of Christmas tree sizes sit between 12 and 50 feet high.
Whether your Christmas tree is tall or short, fullness is another important factor. Options generally include:
Full
A full artificial Christmas tree has the classic profile and shape that most people prefer.
Slim
Slim trees provide all of the height of a Christmas tree, with a reduced diameter that makes it easier to fit in tighter spaces.
Wide
Wide Christmas trees have an expanded diameter that is ideal for filling larger commercial spaces.
Sparse
Sparse Christmas trees have a reduced number of branches and allow light to peek through. They are designed to look more like natural trees.
Some Christmas trees may also be termed flatback, which are trees designed to sit flush against the wall while still appearing like a full Christmas tree. This can be an ideal option for businesses without a lot of space.
There are also flocked trees, which are designed to look like Christmas trees after a fresh snow, with a dusting of artificial snow that adds volume and color to the tree. Flocked trees are available in a range of colors in addition to white.
What Kinds of Artificial Christmas Trees are Available?
Size and fullness are often a matter of available space, but the type of Christmas tree you choose is a matter of personal preference, and there is a large variety to choose from. Some of the most popular options include the following:
- Eagle Frasier Fir – The Frasier Fir embodies the shape and profile of a classic Christmas tree, with a conical crown and upward-angled branches that are ideal for hanging Christmas ornaments from. Most Frasier Firs intended for Christmas displays sit under 8 feet tall, but they can grow up to 50 feet tall.
Our Eagle Frasier trees are available in unlit and pre-lit varieties at different heights. Our 12-foot pre-lit Eagle Frasier tree comes with 2,000 white or multi-color LED lights, while our 14-foot Eagle Frasier is designed with 2,750 white or multi-color LED lights.
- Norwood Pine – The Norwood Pine is a tall, slender tree that’s often nicknamed the Norwood Pencil for its shape. As such, this is an ideal choice for tighter commercial spaces, or for Christmas displays that include several trees.
Our Norwood Pine trees come unlit standard, but pre-lit varieties are available on request.
- Oregon Fir – The Oregon Fir, or Douglas Fir, is another iconic Christmas tree native to western and northwestern America. Oregon Firs can grow extremely tall – sometimes up to 300 feet tall. For Christmas display purposes, artificial Douglas Firs are available in a range of heights.
Our Oregon Fir trees are also available in unlit and pre-lit models. Our 12-foot pre-lit Oregon Fir is made with 37 branches (each 26” in length) and 4,600 white or multi-color lights. We offer Oregon Fir trees up to 20 feet in height – which are made with 111 branches and 12,000 warm or multi-color LED lights.
- Grand Teton – Grand Teton Christmas trees are wonders to behold, with full branches, wide bases and impressive heights. Grand Teton trees are available in heights up to 40 feet high or more, making them a go-to option for outdoor displays and grand indoor displays with higher ceilings.
Our Grand Teton Christmas trees are available in a large range of sizes and can also be pre-lit on request. For example, our 12-foot Grand Tetons are made with 18 branches and 3,400 warm or multi-color LED lights. Our massive 26-foot Grand Teton has a robust 89 total branches and more than 14,000 warm or multi-color LED lights.
LED Lights Can Enhance a Christmas Tree Display
Many artificial Christmas trees are now available in pre-lit varieties that can help businesses get a head start on decorating. If pre-lit Christmas trees are the right choice for your holiday display, LED lights offer several benefits to your holiday display, including:
- Better bulb lifespan – LED Christmas lights last much longer than incandescent and halogen lights. Although bulb life varies from one manufacturer to another, you can expect to get a few more years out of your LED lights, compared to alternative options.
- Better energy efficiency – LED lighting is the most energy efficient on the market. Compared to incandescent and halogen bulbs, LED lights only consume about 10 percent of the wattage to produce an equivalent amount of illumination. That means lower energy costs and less heat output – which are both important considerations for a public holiday display.
- Better controllability – LED lighting is also the most controllable option on the market. It can be paired with dimmers, timers, and occupancy controls, so you can program the lights to switch on or off depending on whether anyone is near the tree. LEDs can also be programmed to blink, race, change color and output a variety of interesting effects.
LED lighting is used in a huge variety of commercial applications. That now includes commercial Christmas tree displays, where their added efficiency and longevity ensure the tree can be used for many years without the lights burning out.
Set Up the Perfect Holiday Display with the Right Sized Christmas Tree
As the focal point of your holiday display, your Christmas trees should command the space. That starts with picking a tree that is appropriately sized for your display. Stick with a tree that sits within 6-12 inches of your ceiling height, and one that looks full without interfering with foot traffic. If your tree will require lighting, LED lights are the top option for their lifespan and controllability. If you’re unsure if a particular Christmas tree will meet your space’s needs, a commercial lighting expert can provide guidance in this area, as many lighting professionals work with commercial clients to set up their holiday displays.
