Lowe’s sells both artificial and real Christmas trees, with the artificial range being the deepest and most popular. Faux trees there span everything from tiny tabletop styles to towering nine and twelve foot centerpieces, in pre-lit and unlit versions, with a typical artificial tree costing around $224 and the full range running from budget picks near $11 up to premium designer trees costing thousands. Fresh-cut real trees appear seasonally in stores for those who want the classic scent and tradition.
Whether you want a no-fuss reusable tree or the real thing for a few weeks, Lowe’s covers the spread. The trick is knowing which brands, sizes, and features suit your home and budget before you shop. This guide breaks down the options, the popular brands, realistic prices, and how to choose well.
| Tree types | Artificial (pre-lit and unlit) and real/fresh-cut |
| Typical artificial price | Around $224 |
| Artificial price range | Roughly $11 to several thousand |
| Popular brands | Holiday Living, GE, National Tree Company |
| Premium brands | Balsam Hill (Tree Classics), Fraser Hill Farm |
| Sizes | Tabletop up to 9 ft and larger |
| Pre-lit tech | LED, often with warm/multicolor settings |
| Real trees | Sold seasonally in stores |
Artificial vs Real at Lowe’s
The first decision is artificial or real, and each has a clear case. Artificial trees are reusable, need no watering, drop no needles, and pay for themselves over a few seasons, which is why they dominate the selection. Real trees deliver the unmistakable fresh-pine scent and the tradition of picking one out each year, but they are a seasonal, one-time purchase that needs watering and cleanup.
Lowe’s leans heavily toward artificial year-round online, while fresh-cut trees show up in stores during the holiday season. If convenience and long-term value matter most, artificial wins; if the ritual and aroma are the point, a real tree is worth the upkeep.
Types of Artificial Trees
Within the artificial range, a few styles cover most needs. Matching the style to your space is more important than the price tag.
| Style | Best For | Notes |
| Full traditional | Classic living-room centerpiece | Wide, lush profile |
| Slim / pencil | Tight corners and small rooms | Narrow footprint |
| Flocked | A snowy, wintry look | Coated with faux snow |
| Tabletop / small | Desks, entryways, apartments | Compact and easy |
| Grand 9 ft+ | High ceilings and big rooms | Statement size |
The Brands You Will See
Knowing the brands helps you shop by budget and quality. Holiday Living is Lowe’s own value-focused label and one of the most common you will encounter. GE offers pre-lit trees known for easy-connect lighting systems. National Tree Company and Nearly Natural round out the mid-range, while Tree Classics by Balsam Hill and Fraser Hill Farm sit at the premium, ultra-realistic end. Matching the brand to your priorities, price versus realism, is the fastest way to narrow the field.
Price Ranges to Expect
| Budget | What You Get | Typical Range |
| Entry | Small or basic unlit trees | Roughly $11 to $100 |
| Mid-range | Full pre-lit family trees | Roughly $100 to $400 |
| Premium | Ultra-realistic designer trees | $400 and well up |
Seasonal sales can dramatically change these numbers. Popular pre-lit trees are frequently discounted steeply during the holiday shopping window, so a tree listed at several hundred dollars can drop to a fraction of that on a good deal.
Pre-Lit or Unlit?
Pre-lit trees come with lights built in, which saves the fiddly job of stringing your own and often includes handy features like a foot pedal or control box to switch between warm white, multicolor, and light-show settings. Many use easy-connect systems so the lights power on when the tree sections join, sparing you tangled cords. Unlit trees cost less and give you full freedom over your own lighting, which suits anyone particular about bulb color or spacing. For most families, pre-lit is the convenient default.
How to Choose the Right Tree
- Measure your ceiling height and leave room for a topper
- Check the tree’s width so it fits the corner or room you have
- Decide pre-lit for convenience or unlit for lighting control
- Match realism to budget, from value Holiday Living to premium Balsam Hill
- Consider storage space for the off-season
- Read the branch tip count, since more tips means a fuller look
When to Buy for the Best Deal
Timing pays off. The widest selection appears in late autumn as the holiday season ramps up, while the steepest discounts tend to land closer to and just after the holiday, when retailers clear stock. If you want a specific premium tree, buy early to secure it; if you are hunting for a bargain and are flexible on style, waiting for end-of-season markdowns can save a lot.
Setting Up and Caring for Your Tree
Getting a full, natural look from an artificial tree is mostly about the setup. When you unbox a tree, the branches are compressed from storage, so the single most important step is fluffing: work from the bottom up, bending and separating each branch and tip so the tree fills out. A few extra minutes here is the difference between a lush centerpiece and a sparse one, no matter how good the tree is.
Safety matters as much as looks, and it differs by tree type. Keep any tree, artificial or real, well clear of heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, and heat vents, and never overload the electrical outlet with too many light strings. If you choose a fresh-cut real tree, water it daily so it does not dry out and become a fire risk, and check the stand’s reservoir every morning during the first week when the tree drinks the most.
When the season ends, storage protects your investment. Compress the branches gently and pack an artificial tree into a sturdy storage bag or its original box, keeping it somewhere dry and temperature-stable rather than a damp basement or a sweltering attic. Well stored, a good artificial tree looks the part for a decade or more, which is exactly what makes the upfront cost pay off across many holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lowe’s sell real Christmas trees?
Yes, fresh-cut real trees are typically available in stores during the holiday season, alongside the year-round artificial selection online. Availability varies by location and time of year.
What is the most popular artificial tree brand at Lowe’s?
Holiday Living, Lowe’s own brand, is among the most common and value-friendly, while GE is popular for pre-lit trees. Premium shoppers often look to Balsam Hill’s Tree Classics.
Are pre-lit trees worth it?
For most people, yes. They save the effort of stringing lights, often include multiple lighting modes, and use easy-connect systems that avoid tangled cords. Unlit trees still make sense if you want total control over your lights.
How much should I spend on an artificial tree?
A solid full-size pre-lit family tree generally falls in the low-to-mid hundreds, with the average around $224. Budget trees start much lower and premium designer models climb well higher.
Decorating Your Tree Beautifully
Once the tree is up and fluffed, a simple layering approach makes it look professionally decorated. Start with lights if the tree is unlit, working them from the trunk outward for depth, then add garland or ribbon, followed by larger statement ornaments, and finish with smaller ornaments and fillers to close any gaps. Building in that order stops the decorations from looking flat or clustered only on the branch tips.
Choosing a loose color theme, two or three colors plus a metallic, keeps even a densely decorated tree feeling intentional rather than chaotic. Placing a few ornaments deeper inside the branches, not just on the ends, adds the sense of depth that makes a tree look expensive. A topper and a coordinating skirt or collar at the base tie the whole look together.
- Add lights first, from the trunk outward, for depth
- Layer garland or ribbon before the ornaments
- Place large statement ornaments before small fillers
- Tuck some ornaments deep in the branches for dimension
- Stick to a two or three color theme plus a metallic
- Finish with a topper and a base skirt or collar
Final Thoughts
Lowe’s makes a strong one-stop shop for Christmas trees, whether you want a reusable pre-lit centerpiece or a fresh-cut tree for the season. Focus on getting the size right for your room, decide between pre-lit convenience and unlit control, and match the brand to your budget and how realistic you want it to look. Shop early for a specific premium tree or wait for end-of-season deals if you are flexible, and you will land the right tree at the right price.
