How to Disassemble and Store an Artificial Christmas Tree in 5 Easy Steps

While some appreciate the tradition of a real Christmas tree, many prefer the convenience and timeless beauty of an artificial evergreen. Even Martha prefers the fake variety—she sets up a faux tree in almost every room of her home during the holiday season.

Unlike real Christmas trees, fake ones don't shed needles and don't need frequent watering. However, while your standard evergreen is taken out to the curb after the holidays, an artificial tree requires year-round storage. If you package it incorrectly, it can look worse for wear when you set it up next year. To help, we're sharing our tips for disassembling and storing a fake Christmas tree the right way.

How to Disassemble a Fake Christmas Tree

Disassembling your tree properly makes storage easier. Here's how to do it.

Remove All Decorations

Start disassembling your tree by removing all ornaments, as these can get crushed by the branches in storage. You'll also want to remove any string lights if your tree isn't pre-lit.

Clean the Branches

Like many pieces of décor in your home, artificial trees collect dust while on display during the holiday season. Before storing, dust the branches using a vacuum cleaner with a duster attachment or a damp cloth. Allow the needles to fully dry before storing. You'll thank yourself when you unpack a clean, ready-to-go tree next year.

Disassemble Your Tree

Unplug the tree, then disassemble it. Smaller artificial trees are usually one piece and fold up similar to an umbrella. Full-size trees, however, are composed of several parts. For these, you may need to disassemble each branch before packing it up for the year. Refer to your instruction manual for full details on how to take apart your specific model.

How to Store a Fake Christmas Tree

Once the tree is disassembled, you can store it.

Bag Your Tree

Don't bother saving your tree's original box. An artificial tree's branches fluff out considerably over the course of the holiday, and stuffing them back into the original packaging could cause damage. "What you want is a good quality Christmas tree bag," says Monica Friel, president and founder of Chaos To Order. "If you're going to spend the money on a nice tree, you want to protect it."

The type of bag you opt for is up to you and your storage needs. Upright tree bags allow you to store your tree completely intact, base and all. They're typically offered at a higher price point than other storage bags and they're certainly not space savers, but if you have extra room, setting up your tree next year will be as easy as unzipping a bag. Regardless of the style you choose, make sure the bag is water-resistant.

Store It in a Safe Place

Store your fake Christmas tree in a safe place, so it stays in displayable shape for next year. Stow your bag away in a cool, dry area. Heat can cause artificial trees to become discolored or even melt, so depending on your location, the attic or garage may not be your best option.