While Christmas trees may look alike at first glance, their materials and craftsmanship make a big difference in appearance and longevity. At Balsam Hill, we offer a range of trees designed to suit every home and preference. Whether you prefer a lifelike polyethylene (PE) tree that mirrors the beauty of real evergreens or a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tree that balances quality and value, you’ll find the perfect match here. Use this guide to discover which style best suits you.
What Is a PVC Tree?
When Christmas trees were first created, PVC was the main material used for their needles. This material is pressed into thin sheets, then cut into fine, rectangular strips to mimic the look of pine needles. These strips are twisted between two wires to form the tree’s branches.
PVC needles tend to look flatter and less textured than real foliage, but their affordability makes them a popular choice for many households.
Explore Balsam Hill’s Traditional Christmas Trees collection featuring our signature Classic Needle foliage for timeless festive charm.
What is a PE Christmas Tree?
PE, or polyethylene, was introduced years after PVC and has become the preferred material for creating lifelike Christmas trees. Using moulds made from real conifer branches, PE is shaped to capture the natural texture, thickness, and structure of true evergreen needles. The result is a tree that closely mirrors the look and feel of the real thing.
Discover Balsam Hill’s Most Realistic Christmas Trees, crafted with PE foliage using our exclusive True Needle® technology for unmatched authenticity and beauty..
Balsam Hill Needle Types
Inspired by various types of real Christmas trees, Balsam Hill trees use PVC and PE needles for their foliage. Learn the differences each material brings in realism and practicality.
Classic
Classic needles are crafted from flat PVC strips shaped to mimic natural tree foliage, featuring soft, flexible tips. With their flat, papery texture, they evoke the nostalgic look and feel of traditional Christmas trees.
True Needle
This exclusive technology uses injection-moulded PE needles to mirror the structure, texture, and colour variations of real evergreens, creating incredibly lifelike branches while ensuring lasting durability and quality for your Christmas tree.
Crafted with up to 30% post-consumer or plant-based plastic, reNEW™ trees combine sustainability with the same True Needle® technology and lifelike realism Balsam Hill is known for. Enjoy the same exceptional quality and design while making an eco-conscious choice for your festive celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PVC Safe for a Christmas Tree?
Yes. PVC is commonly used in artificial Christmas trees and is safe when sourced from reputable brands. At Balsam Hill, all materials, including PVC, undergo thorough testing to meet strict safety standards. For a more natural look, we also offer PE trees. Whatever you choose, you can trust the quality and safety of your Balsam Hill tree.
Which Is Better, PE or PVC for Christmas Trees?
PE Christmas trees best capture the natural look and texture of real trees while offering excellent durability for decorating and displaying year after year.
What Is PE on a Christmas Tree?
PE (polyethylene) is used to create realistic needle tips and branches that closely resemble real evergreens. Balsam Hill’s exclusive True Needle® technology uses PE to replicate the natural colour and texture of genuine Christmas trees.
What Is the Best Material for a Christmas Tree?
Many artificial trees are crafted from a combination of PVC and PE. At Balsam Hill, our trees often feature both materials, PE for realism and PVC for fullness and value—creating lifelike trees that look stunning season after season.
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