Setting Up Your Christmas Tree
Setting up an artificial Christmas tree involves two jobs: assembling the sections securely, then opening and shaping the branches. A tree that still looks narrow or patchy after assembly may simply need more attention inside the foliage.
Use the photos and videos below alongside the instructions supplied with your model. Stand designs, section counts and connections can differ.
Assembly steps · How to fluff the branches · Gaps and setup problems
Step 1: Unpack Your Tree
Lay out the stand, tree sections and any supplied fittings. Check them against your model’s packing list before you begin. Keep the box and packing materials for storage.
Identify the bottom, middle and top sections using their labels or the assembly diagram. Do not use tree height alone to guess how many sections you should have.
Choose a level position with room for the branches to open without blocking a doorway or walkway. If you are still planning the space, see our tree height and shape guide.
Step 2: Set Up the Base
- For the folding metal stand shown below, open the legs into an X and place it flat on the floor.
- Fit the supplied screws as directed, leaving enough clearance for the bottom pole.
- If your tree has a different stand, follow its instructions instead of forcing it to match the photo.
Step 3: Fit the Bottom Section
- Insert the bottom section into the stand according to the model’s instructions.
- Hold the pole upright while securing the stand fittings. Check that the stand sits flat and the section is stable before adding more weight.
- On a hinged section, gently release any branches held together by packing. Let them open at their hinges; do not force a stuck hinge.
Opening the main branches is only the first stage. The smaller tips still need shaping, as shown in Step 6.
Step 4: Add the Remaining Sections
- Work upwards in the order shown on the section labels or assembly diagram.
- Check that each connection is seated correctly before adding the next section. Do not force a pole that does not fit.
- Where your instructions allow, shape each lower section before adding the next. This keeps the inner branches easier to reach.
For a Pre-Lit tree, follow the supplied lighting connection instructions. Keep it disconnected from power during assembly and avoid trapping light wires between sections.
Step 5: Shape the Top
Gently separate the small branches around the top section. The top shown below needs to be opened by hand. Follow your own model’s design if it differs.
Blend the lower tips of the top section into the foliage beneath it. Check the silhouette from the front and sides before adding a topper.
Step 6: How to Fluff Your Christmas Tree
Fluffing means separating and positioning the small branch tips that were compressed for packing. Work around the tree from the bottom upwards, finishing one area before moving on.
- Start near the centre pole. Find the inner tips that are still lying together and gently separate them.
- Spread the tips in different directions. Open some to the sides and others upwards, following the branch’s natural shape rather than leaving every tip in one flat layer.
- Work outwards. Separate the tips nearer the branch end after shaping the interior. Repeat around that level of the tree.
- Check the outline. Use the photo of your particular model as a reference. Some trees have a broad, dense silhouette; others have more open spaces between branches.
- Step back. Look from the doorway and your usual seating position. Return to any obvious patch where several tips are still pointing the same way.
Make small adjustments at flexible branch stems. Do not try to reshape rigid moulded needles, force hinges or pull on lighting wires. Stop if a part resists movement or appears damaged.
Still Seeing Gaps? Check These Areas
A visible strip of centre pole
Look behind the outer tips first. If the inner foliage is still compressed, opening only the outside can leave the centre exposed. Shape the inner tips before judging the finished result.
A gap between two sections
Check the assembly diagram and section order. If a connection needs adjusting, remove decorations and follow the model’s disassembly instructions. Do not pull on the branches to force sections together. Once the fit is correct, blend the nearby tips across the visual gap.
One side looks flatter than the other
Compare matching levels on both sides. Check whether the branches on the flatter side have opened fully and whether their small tips are still bundled together. Photographing the undecorated tree from the front can make the uneven area easier to spot.
The tree leans or feels loose
Pause before decorating. Check that the stand is level, the bottom pole is seated and the fittings are secured as instructed. Adding ornaments or reshaping foliage will not fix an unstable base.
It does not look like the product photo
Compare the same model and height, ideally before decorations obscure its shape. Fluffing can open compressed foliage; it cannot add missing branches or turn a slim tree into a wider model. If a section or branch seems missing or damaged, keep it undecorated and contact Mason with the model, height and clear photos.
Does a Pre-Lit tree still need fluffing?
Yes. Built-in lights do not open the foliage for you. Shape the branches carefully around the installed wiring, then check the lighting as directed in your model’s instructions before decorating. See Pre-Lit vs Standard trees for the differences in setup.
Ready to Decorate
Once the tree is stable and shaped, add your lights if needed, then your Christmas ornaments. Check the overall shape again as you decorate so that heavier ornaments do not leave one area looking crowded.
Want some inspiration? Check out:
- How to Decorate Your Christmas Tree
- How to Store Your Artificial Christmas Tree
- How to Style a Flocked Christmas Tree
