Small trees can make a big impact — for the tabletop and beyond. I’m sharing my favorite realistic artificial options and the one I finally ordered after hours of searching.
A Small Tree This Year
Welcome November!
Time to turn the page on the calendar and start looking ahead to the holiday season — first Thanksgiving, and then, yes, Christmas. While I’m excited to celebrate the harvest and reflect on all I have to be grateful for this year, I’m also starting to plan my holiday decorations.
As our family has grown — first welcoming some spice into the fold, and then the joy of grandchildren (three now!) — traditions have evolved. This year, instead of gathering in Maine, we’ll be celebrating together at Zoë and Sam’s in Maryland. I’ll admit, I’m a bit disappointed not to be hosting, but I’m also ready to create new memories in a new place, still together as a family.
That shift also means new traditions for me at home. Moving furniture to the basement and hauling out the big tree feels like a lot of effort when there won’t be a crowd to enjoy it. At the same time, though, I still want my home to glow with that warm, festive feeling throughout the season.
So, I decided to get a smaller tree — one that could sit on the table in the corner of the living room where the big tree has always stood. I thought this would be an easy find, but after hours online, I learned that wasn’t the case. While there are countless guides to the best full-sized trees, small or tabletop trees are usually just an afterthought — a single mention at the bottom of the list. And “tabletop” often refers to those petite accent trees, one or two feet tall. I wanted one that could hold ornaments and have substance and charm — a smaller tree, yes, but still with presence in the room.
After finally finding a tree that ticked all my boxes, I’m sharing the results of my hunt with you. This is the guide to small trees I wish existed — my favorites, the one I chose, plus takeaways and tips to help you find your own perfect smaller tree. And of course, I’ve included shopping links to make this a one-stop destination for your own tree search.
For those of you looking for a small tree for your home, I have you covered!
Tips, Takeaways, and Lessons Learned From My Small Tree Search
I began my search with the Big Two — Balsam Hill and King of Christmas. I have one of each: an 8-foot BH tree has graced the living room for years, and I added a 6-foot KoC tree to the bedroom two years ago. Originally hesitant to switch from live to faux, I am now a complete convert — I love them both.
For this new addition to my growing artificial tree forest, I was looking for a realistic 4–5 foot unlit tree. I spent a lot of time reading product specifications and zooming in on images (and then zooming in again). Here are the key things I took into consideration — and what I learned along the way:
Size
The table in the corner of my living room is 36″ square and 30″ high. I wanted this smaller tree to have a similar presence to my full-size tree. But most “tabletop trees” are tiny — 1–2 feet tall, maybe 3 feet at most. So I initially focused on 4.5–5 foot trees.
Then I did the smart thing and pulled out the tape measure.
A tree that size — with a 40″+ spread — would have overwhelmed the table and looked comically out of scale. Three feet felt too small, but four feet was the sweet spot: large enough to make a statement, small enough to fit the space.
Needles
This was my biggest priority when searching for a realistic tree.
Artificial trees are usually made from a mix of PE and PVC branches:
- PE (Polyethylene) needles are molded from real evergreen clippings, giving them a natural shape and texture. These are typically used on the outermost, most visible branches.
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) needles are cut from thin plastic sheets, creating flatter, fringe-like needles. They are often used deeper inside the tree to add fullness and structure.
The higher the percentage of PE, the more natural the tree will look — and the higher the price.
The Challenge: Smaller trees tend to have a lower PE ratio. Manufacturers simply don’t put the same level of detail into them.
Tree Shape
I wanted a tree that looked like I had gone out into the woods and cut it down — irregular and not too perfect, with just the right amount of Charlie Brown charm.
The Challenge: Many small trees are either very dense and conical, or sparse and spindly. I was looking for something in between — natural, a bit irregular, with character — and that took some searching.
Lights
There are three main lighting options when shopping for artificial trees:
- Unlit: Maximum flexibility to choose your style and placement of lights (and replace them later). More work up front.
- LED: Long-lasting and energy-efficient. They stay cool, but many look are also cool-toned and bright . Look for those labeled “warm white”.
- Incandescent: The classic warm, soft, nostalgic glow. Less efficient, but the ambiance is worth it if you love that cozy twinkle.
The Challenge: I prefer unlit so I can use my own warm, incandescent, twinkling (not blinking!) lights. Finding a small, realistic, unlit tree proved nearly impossible — most small trees come pre-lit with cool LEDs.
The One I Chose: Suzanne Kasler Fraser Fir Tabletop Tree
After an extensive search, and taking all of these factors into consideration, I chose the Suzanne Kasler Fraser Fir Tabletop Tree from Ballard Designs.
It checked the largest number of my boxes. It stands 4 ft tall and 3 ft wide — big enough to hold regular ornaments and to feel like a “real” tree in the room. I liked the shape — irregular, a bit airy, and not too perfect. I hoped the mix of PE and PVC needles would give it a natural look. And it came on a burlap ball-style base, which meant I could easily place it inside a basket or decorative container — a small detail that makes a big difference in how intentional a tabletop tree feels.
It was also the only small tree I found that came with my preferred incandescent lights. There is nothing quite like that warm golden Christmas-tree glow on a dark winter evening. The price and shipping were reasonable — it’s currently on sale for 20% off — and, bonus, the tree arrived much more quickly than I expected.
First Impressions
To my surprise, the tree arrived much more quickly than I expected. It did require more fluffing than my other artificial trees — it was packed quite compactly, and some of the branches were twisted together — but it came together nicely with a bit of patience.
Here are my first impressions after I set it up:
- The size is just right for the corner of the living room — it has presence without overwhelming the space.
- Once fluffed, the shape is lovely and natural. If you look closely between the branches, you can see some of the hinge points where the lower branches attach. These should disappear once decorated.
- The lighting is exactly the warm glow I love. The number of lights is fine as-is, but I’ll be adding a string of my own for a bit of extra twinkle.
- As with many smaller trees, the ratio of PE to PVC needles isn’t as high as on my larger trees. Up close, you can see the difference between the molded and cut-foil branches. Once it’s decorated, I expect this will recede into the overall look.
- One small note: it does not come with a storage bag like my larger trees do. Not a dealbreaker, but something to be aware of.
Other Small Trees to Consider
I didn’t see these trees in person, but I spent a lot of time studying their measurements, close-up photos, branch composition (PE vs. PVC), and overall shape. Here are the ones that stood out during my search.
Terrain Faux Twinkling Pre-Lit Potted Norway Spruce (4’) — Twinkling Magic
This tree ticked nearly all of my boxes. I loved the shape — irregular and natural, with just the right amount of looseness. It has a mix of PE and PVC needles, and the warm twinkling LED lights were a major draw (twinkling lights feel magical without being flashy).
It is a bit narrower than the tree I ended up choosing, so it wouldn’t have quite as much presence or hold as many ornaments. And while the tree itself is reasonably priced, the $199 freight shipping was a dealbreaker. If you live near a Terrain store and can pick up locally, this is a lovely option to consider.
Terrain Faux Potted Pine Tree (4’) — Whimsical Accent
This one completely charmed me. The shape is whimsical, almost storybook-like, and it has real personality. At 4 feet tall but only 26 inches wide, it is more of an accent tree than a main tree.
If you’re looking for something to place in a guest room, entryway, or cozy nook, this one has a sweet, understated presence.
Pottery Barn Faux Lit Blue Spruce (4’) — Natural + Basket
This tree has a beautifully natural-looking branch structure, and the molded needles give it a realistic look in photos. It also comes in a woven basket, which is a thoughtful styling detail.
At 4 feet tall but just 24 inches wide, though, it reads more as an accent tree than one meant to hold a full ornament collection. And, priced at $298 — about $100 more than the Ballard tree I chose — it wasn’t a good fit for me.
Wayfair Everyday Collection Burlap Tree (4’) — Budget-Friendly
A solid budget-friendly option. At 48 inches tall and 30 inches wide, it has good presence, and the 150 incandescent lights are a nice surprise at this price point. The branches are a mix of PE and PVC, and it comes with a burlap-covered base, making it easy to place in a basket or pot.
Up close in photos, the needles appear to be less realistic than the higher-end trees — but if you plan to decorate with ribbons, pinecones, or ornaments, or if you want a tree that can also be used outdoors, this is a good value.
Balsam Hill Colorado Mountain Spruce (4.5’) — Most Realistic
If realism is your top priority, this is one of the closest matches I found in a smaller tree. At 4.5 feet tall and 41 inches wide, it has a traditional full conical shape and a higher percentage of PE needles than most trees in this size range.
However, at $699, it is significantly more expensive, and the scale makes it difficult to use on a standard-height tabletop. If you’re looking for a floor-height tree for a small room or cozy corner, though, this could be a beautiful choice.
How I Plan to Style My Small Tree
Just because a tree is small doesn’t mean it has to look like an afterthought. I don’t want a little tree just plunked on a table. It should feel intentional — with a presence of its own.
One thing I like about the tree I chose is that it came with a burlap “root ball” that lets me choose the container, and make it part of the design. I found a perfectly-sized woven basket at Target that echoes the natural textures in the rooms and ties in with the pinecone ornaments — real and glass, tied with a blue velvet ribbon — I use each year. The perfect mix of mix of rustic and refined.
I want the tabletop to feel like a scene rather than just a perch. I’ll fill a vintage fishing creel with extra pinecones and ornaments (with a smaller tree this year, I’ll have plenty to spare). The creel connects back to the basket and brings in that quiet thread of Maine — woods and coast — that runs through my home.
To introduce something playful, I’ll include a green and cream painted model sailboat. I love incorporating pieces into my holiday decor that aren’t specifically “holiday” at all. Nearby, a large brass star — a nod to Maine’s original pine-tree-and-star flag and a simple symbol of the season.
And, beneath it all, I’ll lay a vintage plaid blanket in green, blue, and cream to ground the arrangement and help the tree feel settled in the room.
My hope is that this small tree will feel like its own moment, Collected, rooted, a little woodland and a little coastal. But mostly just Maine. Even though our celebration will be different this year, I still want the tree at home to feel special — not smaller than, just meaningful as itself.
I’ll share the finished look once I start decorating after Thanksgiving, but for now, the vision is there.
This Week Into Next
Well, I would say I made up for last week’s absence of a blog post with a longer than usual one today, ha!
I’m sorry to have missed you last week — I was focused on family time. And it was wonderful. Jamie is talking up a storm these days and has developed the most delightful dry sense of humor. And Mira, at seven months, is beginning to show us who she is — smiling with her whole body (and three or four dimples!) and working those lower abs in her bouncy seat.
If you’re also in a season of “downsizing” or shifting holiday traditions, I hope this post reminds you that this time of year can still feel special. Focus on the story rather than the scale. Meaning rather than trends. Let what you bring out reflect where you are and how you want your home to feel right now.
Take good care, friends.
See you next week.
