Do you need to steam an artificial Christmas tree: how to fluff up the crown beautifully

Christmas Tree · Tree care

Do you need to steam an artificial Christmas tree: how to fluff up the crown beautifully

Have you taken the Christmas tree out of the box, and the crown seems narrow, the branches are pressed against each other and you can see the gaps between the sections? After packaging, this is a common situation: before decorating, the tree needs to be shaped. Steaming is not required for this. The main method is to carefully straighten the branches with your hands according to the instructions for a specific model.

Do you need to steam an artificial Christmas tree?

Steam is not a universal stage of preparation of an artificial Christmas tree. The manufacturers describe the manual shaping: open the compressed branches, distribute the tips and check the silhouette. Such a sequence is indicated, in particular, by Balsam Hill in its crown molding guide. You should not start with heating just because the twigs lie flat after the box.

The name of the material is also not enough. In addition to needles, a tree has a base of branches, fasteners, a decorative coating, and sometimes electrical connections. Therefore, you should not choose the temperature yourself or replace the steam with a hair dryer. If the branch does not lend itself to easy shaping, it is better to check the instructions or clarify care with the seller, and not to increase the heating.

Why does the Christmas tree look less magnificent after the box

For transportation and storage, the branches are brought together, and small branches are pressed. In this position, they form flat "fans", even if the model itself has a voluminous crown. The task of loosening is to separate these layers, turn them in different directions and evenly fill the space around the trunk.

At the same time, it is worth preserving the character of the series. Some Christmas trees have a dense cone, others have expressive tiers and noticeable gaps between large legs. Focus on a photo of your model, not a random image of another tree. Straightening improves the volume, but does not change the number of branches or the intended shape of the crown.

We considered the connection of sections and fixing the base separately in the material how to assemble and fluff an artificial Christmas tree. Here we will focus on twigs: it is their position that most affects the appearance of an already established tree.

How beautiful it is to loosen the crown with your hands

1. Prepare the tree and the place

Install the Christmas tree on a stable base according to its instructions. Remove packing ties, separate intertwined branches without jerks. Leave space around to see the tree from different angles. Turn off the lights and unplug the power before molding. Perform the LED test separately according to the model's instructions. Use gloves if necessary.

2. Start near the trunk

Work from the bottom up, in small sections. Open the inner branches closer to the trunk first, then move to the middle of the paw and the outer tips. If only the extreme branches are corrected immediately, compressed layers may remain inside, and cavities may remain on the outside, which are difficult to hide.

3. Distribute the branches in different directions

Separate adjacent branches and smoothly change the position of their flexible base. Direct part to the side, part a little higher or lower - according to the natural silhouette of the model. It is not necessary to extend each paw in one horizontal plane. Work with a twig, rather than stretching individual needles; if resistance is noticeable, stop.

4. Check connections and volume

Step back and look at the crown from the front, from the side, and from across the room. If a strip is visible between the sections, check the adjacent branches: sometimes it is enough to separate a few pinched tips. Fix local areas without pulling down an entire large branch. Finally, take another look at the top and all sides of the tree.

After the main formation, you can add decorations. Their weight also affects the position of the tips, so it is better to place heavy decor on a suitable stronger base, rather than on the thinnest outer branch. If the branch has fallen, first check the location of the decoration.

Cast needles, PVC, snowing and LED: what to consider

Cast PE needles have a three-dimensional shape, while traditional PVC needles often consist of thin, chopped strips. But the method of care determines the whole structure. Read more about the composition and technologies in the article what are artificial Christmas trees made of.

Smooth movements are especially important for snowy models. King of Christmas advises to hold the branch by the base and avoid sharp bends. Do not squeeze the white coating with your palm or rub it. A small amount of loose particles after unpacking is possible, but intense shedding or a damaged area is a reason to contact the seller.

Is it necessary to loosen the umbrella Christmas tree?

Yes, small branches usually also need to be given a position. Hinges help open large branches, but do not distribute every tip. Let the structure take the prescribed position according to the instructions, and then form the crown from the middle to the outside. Do not try to get the volume by force bending the hinge itself.

In a Christmas tree with winding, large branches are already attached to the base; they are straightened according to the structure of the model. Both designs can have good volume after careful shaping. We explain the difference in the mechanisms and the reasons for the surcharge in the material ordinary or umbrella Christmas tree: what to choose.

What is better to skip during preparation

Do not use heat as a way to overcome branch resistance and do not repeat water experiments without model instructions. Some manufacturers directly remind to keep the tree away from heat and moisture — for example, National Tree Company in its care guidelines. This is especially important to consider in the presence of coatings and electrical elements.

For normal dust, a gentle dry care as approved by the manufacturer is often sufficient. Snow-covered branches should not be intensively cleaned or rubbed: Balsam Hill separately emphasizes special care for such a coating. After the season, store the tree without sharp bends, dry, in a suitable box or cover. More tips in the instructions how to properly store an artificial Christmas tree.

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