The scent of pine needles, that’s what I was expecting. Instead, my garage, post-assembly of the National Tree Company Dunhill Fir, just smelled… new. Plastic and a hint of, well, something else. A faint chemical whiff I hoped would dissipate after a good airing out.

Right off, the sheer volume of the 7.5-foot tree impressed. I’ve wrestled with pre-lit trees before, trees that resembled anorexic pipe cleaners, or else took a week to unfurl and fluff. This Dunhill Fir promised a different experience, a more… robust presentation. With its 59-inch base, it’s undeniably a full tree, ready to swallow ornaments by the dozen. Each of the hundreds of individually crafted branch tips looked promising, mimicking a natural fir pretty convincingly. Compared to the older, more sparse artificial trees I’ve worked with in client homes, the detail here is notable.

The setup was straightforward enough. It breaks down into three sections, all of which lock together with ease. The stand is sturdy; no wobbly legs, which is a crucial detail. Stability is paramount when you’re talking about securing a beloved heirloom ornament collection! I always recommend putting the tree together in the spot you intend to display it. Maneuvering the fully assembled behemoth around is a recipe for disaster. And the manual? Clear, concise. No Ikea-esque, head-scratching diagrams here.

My biggest concern with many artificial trees is always the “hole factor.” You know, the gaps where the trunk shows through and ruins the illusion. The Dunhill Fir does a commendable job of minimizing this, although you still have to carefully arrange the branches, fluffing them outwards. It’s an investment of time—plan on a good hour to get the full, lush look. That said, I think it’s better than the older version, which I know from several clients.

One small imperfection? The attached hinges on the sections felt a little delicate. I wouldn’t recommend being overly forceful when connecting the sections. This is something you can work around. If a hinge did break, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. A bit of strong tape or a zip tie would likely do the trick.

For the buyer who loves the classic Christmas aesthetic and wants a tree that is full and beautiful, but doesn’t want to deal with watering, needles, and a live tree’s potential fire risk, the National Tree Company Dunhill Fir is a solid investment. Just be prepared to dedicate some time to the fluffing. Go on and buy those ornaments!