Balsam Hill artificial Christmas trees come in compressed sections of branches, which makes shipping and handling easier and more cost-effective. It takes a bit of time and handiwork the first time you take your tree out of the box for it to look lush and full, but the results are well worth the care and effort. Check out our guide below.
Fluffing 101: Bring Your Christmas Tree to Life
Unboxing your Christmas tree for the first time can feel a little intimidating. It might even look a little squished or flat straight out of the box. Don’t worry. This is normal and will not impact the look of your tree at the end of the fluffing process. Follow our step-by-step guide and pro tips to get started. You can also reach out to Customer Service by email or phone with any questions. In the meantime, grab some hot cocoa and a tree-fluffing buddy. It’s time to bring your dream tree to life.
Before You Start: What You Need
Fluffing gloves: Every Balsam Hill artificial Christmas tree comes with free fluffing gloves to help protect your hands.
Reference photos: Pull up photos of your specific tree model on the Balsam Hill website so you can see what your fully fluffed tree should look like. Check customer reviews and comments on the product pages for inspiration, too.
Extra pairs of hands: We highly recommend inviting someone to help you set up and fluff your tree, especially for the first time. Turn up your favorite Christmas playlist, set out some cookies and cocoa, and make it a fluffing party.
Two to three hours: Set aside a good amount of time to fluff. The first time takes the longest — in future seasons, it will be quicker to get your tree looking its best.
What Your Tree Looks Like Out of the Box
Once you've assembled your tree, it's perfectly normal to see compressed branches, sparseness, and gaps in the foliage, especially if it's the first time you'll be setting up your tree.
Pro tip: Once your tree is up, this is the best time to plug it in and check the lights.
How to Fluff Tree Branches: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Work One Section at a Time
Body: Start from the bottom and move upward. If your tree is taller than you, fluff the top section on the ground before adding it on top for easier handling.
Step 2: Lift Inner Branches
Lift the inner branches in an alternating pattern. This hides the trunk, fills empty spaces, and gives your tree a lush, natural look.
Step 3: Spread Out Mid-Branches
Near the ends of the branch, sturdier offshoots in varying lengths should be spread outward for fullness — branch tips don't need to match for the most realistic look.
Step 4: Separate the Ends
Quickly and firmly pull apart ends that are stuck together. The branches are sturdy, so you can fluff with confidence.
Step 5: Upswept or Downswept Tips
Depending on the tree, some tips point skyward or downward while others stretch straight out. Browse our artificial Christmas trees to see which direction suits your tree.
Step 6: Embrace Natural Variation
Like trees in nature, each tree has its own organic shape — there's no pressure to completely conceal the trunk, as some peek-through can look more natural.
Pro Fluffing Tips
Depending on the height and fullness of your tree, plan for two people to spend two to three hours fluffing the first time it comes out of the box, and considerably less in succeeding seasons. Take a step back and spot-check for these common issues:
| What You See | How to Fix It |
| Noticeable gaps in the foliage despite fluffing | Consider placing a larger ornament or tree pick to conceal it. |
| Foliage looks lopsided after fluffing | Have one person stand at a different vantage point while another fluffs until the tree looks even. |
| Visible trunk sections | Step back to see if it looks natural; if not, add a larger ornament deeper into the foliage to hide the trunk. |
Insider's Tip
Time spent fluffing and shaping varies across tree models and heights. Search for your tree on the Balsam Hill website, scroll through the product page, and find more specific details and tips to help your tree look its very best.
Watch: How to Fluff and Shape Your Tree
Watch this video to learn how to fluff and shape most upswept Christmas trees. Looking for a more specific guide? Capture the most realistic look of our most popular trees by following the videos below.
BH Balsam Fir
Slightly upward-sloping branches in a true-to-nature shade of green. This video on proper fluffing and shaping will make your special tree shine.
BH Fraser Fir
Body: Crafted with over 40 different tip variations, the BH Fraser Fir offers the most realistic look when fluffed and shaped just right. Watch the fluffing video to bring out its true-to-nature beauty.
Vermont White Spruce
Vermont White Spruce trees offer that classic Christmas tree silhouette and robust branches for holding ornaments.
Classic Blue Spruce
Classic Blue Spruce trees showcase dense and sturdy foliage with silvery-blue hues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Make a Christmas Tree Look Bushy?
Making your artificial Christmas tree look full and natural is all about fluffing each individual branch. Start from the inside of the tree and work your way outwards, fanning out the smaller tips on each branch in different directions. This fills in gaps and creates a lush, dense appearance.
How to Volumize a Christmas Tree?
To add volume, systematically shape each branch by spreading out the tips. Bend the branches slightly upwards and outwards to create a fuller silhouette, and consider adding picks or garlands to fill in any noticeable gaps and enhance the tree's overall fullness.
How to Fluff a Christmas Tree Easily?
Fluff the first tree section before adding the next, working from the bottom to the top one bunch at a time. Start with the branches closest to the trunk and work your way out, fanning the tips of each branch to the sides so you don't miss any spots. Dedicating a few hours the first time makes fluffing easier in following years.
How to Make a Tree Look Flocked?
Purchasing a frosted tree from Balsam Hill's collection is the safest, easiest way to achieve a snow-dusted look. The delicate frosting captures the look of freshly fallen snow on lifelike foliage.
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