Review on Premium Real Touch Frasier Grande Artificial Christmas Tree - 5/6/7 FT by Ryan Cornelison

I did not do enough research on this purchase. I knew that "real" polyethylene needles (custom molded plastic needles) looked the most realistic and that polyethylene needles are used for the most expensive artificial trees. So when I saw an ad for this tree with "real" polyethylene needles priced at $90 for a 5 foot tree, I bought it. Then I did a study at Balsam Hill Trees: realistic looking artificial trees have 40-65% polyethylene needles, with the most realistic trees having over 65%. In my opinion, this tree is made up of about 80% PVC needles (the paper-like layering needles that most artificial trees use) and only about 20% polyethylene needles found at the end of each branch. This makes it look more like a real tree from the outside, but definitely more PE needles could be used in the middle of the tree (the box the tree came in was "5ft, feels like a real one Christmas tree"). However, 5 foot trees with over 50% PE needles range from $250 to $450, so I got what I paid for. This tree was easy to assemble and the base seems solid. However, after an hour of fluffing and shaping, it is about 2/3s fuller than the photos provided by the manufacturer. That's fine as I like a little spacing between branches. What is wrong is 10 inches of space between the ground and the first few branches of the tree. Good for storing gifts but I feel like I'm missing a layer of branches. I was hoping the tree itself would be 5 feet (60 inches) with 3 or 4 inches for the pole that comes with the stand. The tree measures 4 1/2 feet (approx. 54 inches) with a 10 inch pole and stand. The overall height is about 64 inches. Overall not a bad tree for the money but a 6 foot tree would give the bottom layer of branches which I feel this 5 foot tree lacks.