If you’re a quality-conscious shopper on a budget, then artificial Christmas trees are the economical (not to mention environmentally friendly) choice. As with any item that will receive long-term usage, it pays to well-research the products before purchasing. In the case of artificial Christmas trees, one looks into the different types of artificial Christmas trees (e.g. different colors, heights, etc), the prices, and the materials they are made of.

Knowing the material of your artificial Christmas tree is of particular importance to properly gauge the quality of the tree. In the past, trees were only made of polyvinylchloride (PVC) needles. The rapid development of technology has introduced an alternative material, polyethylene (PE). But what exactly is the difference between these two plastics?

Despite its complicated name, PVC plastic is more common than you think. Next to PE, it is the third most widely produced plastic. It is used in common household items, from plastic milk bottles to pipes. It is the less expensive of the two plastics and is often used in construction because of its inexpensiveness, durability, and ease of assembly. With the addition of other compounds, PVC is made softer and more pliable. This allows it to be used in some clothing and upholstery! It is this pliability that makes it perfect for use in artificial trees.

The more expensive of the two, PE is ranked as the second most-produced plastic. Easily molded, this material is used to make everything from implants for hip and knee replacements to toys to shrink film. It is this moldable quality that makes PE an ideal material for artificial trees.

Displayed in many living rooms for years, PVC artificial Christmas trees exude a traditional charm. These leaves are made by cutting colored sheets of compressed PVC. However, as wonderful as these artificial trees are, the flat needles make them look false when closely examined. PVC trees also require more shaping and fluffing than their counterpart artificial Christmas trees.

PE trees are the newest trend in artificial Christmas trees. These trees are constructed by melting high quality PE plastics and injected into molding systems that are created in the form of real trees. When completed, this results in Christmas trees that have thin, needle-like, realistic plastic branches and needles. Since the needles are three-dimensional instead of flat, there is a wider variety of real trees that can be mimicked. Also, PE trees are easier to assemble, as most of them fall right into shape when taken out of their storage containers. It is this dedication to realism, along with the higher-quality plastic, that makes these trees more expensive.

To compromise between the prices of the two types of trees, the artificial Christmas tree industry has developed a combination tree. Combination trees generally have the molded, PE tips on the face of the artificial Christmas tree, while the PVC leaves are used to fill in the backs. Some believe that this combination even gives artificial Christmas trees a more realistic and fuller look.

Whether you decide that you’d rather stick to tradition and use a PVC tree, or if you’re enamored by the realism of a PE Christmas tree, your beautifully decorated artificial evergreen is sure to bring your joy and cheer this holiday season.