Most artificial trees arrive compressed from months in a box. Fluffing, or shaping, the branches is what turns a flat, gappy tree into a full one. It takes time, but the method is simple and the results last all season.

What you need

  • Garden or work gloves, because the tips can scratch your hands and arms
  • A long-sleeved shirt
  • A step stool for the top section
  • About 30 to 90 minutes, depending on tree size and tip count

Step 1: Work one section at a time

Start with the bottom section on the stand, before adding the others. Shaping is much easier when you can reach the inner branches without the upper sections in the way.

Step 2: Start from the inside

Begin with the branches closest to the center pole. Separate each tip and bend it so it points in a slightly different direction. Inner branches are often skipped, which is why trees look hollow and you can see the pole.

Step 3: Shape each branch like a fan

Work from the inside of each branch toward the tip. Spread the tips into a fan: one tip up, one to the left, one to the right, one slightly down, then repeat. Bend the final tip at the end of the branch upward slightly so the silhouette looks natural.

Step 4: Move around the tree in circles

Finish a full ring of branches before moving up to the next one. This keeps the shape even on all sides. Step back every few rows and look for gaps from a few feet away.

Step 5: Add the next section and repeat

Once the bottom section looks full, add the middle section and shape it the same way, then the top. The top branches are shorter, so shape them more tightly to keep a neat point.

Step 6: Fill gaps last

Stand back and check from the angles people see most, such as the sofa and the doorway. Pull nearby tips into any gaps. If the tree is pre-lit, check that tips are not covering bulbs.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Only shaping the outside: the tree will look full up close but hollow from across the room.
  • Bending tips flat: tips pointing in the same direction look like a brush. Vary the angles.
  • Forcing hinged branches: lower hinged branches until they rest naturally instead of pulling them past their stop.

Save time next year

An upright tree storage bag lets you store the tree with branches only lightly folded, so it needs far less shaping next season. A duffel-style bag is cheaper but means fluffing again. See our tree storage bags for both styles.

If you are still choosing a tree, higher tip counts and a mix of molded PE and PVC tips usually look fuller after shaping. Compare options in our artificial Christmas trees category.