Four things to consider before specifying an artificial tree
There's quite a bit more to specifying a bespoke artificial tree than choosing the right height and species. From the proportions of the canopy to how the tree is manufactured, transported and eventually installed, there are several things worth thinking about before getting started.
Over the years, we've worked with architects, interior designers and specifiers on artificial tree projects of all shapes and sizes. Along the way, we've found that certain questions come up time and again.
Here are four important considerations to help you get the most out of your bespoke artificial tree project.
1. Dimensions: It's not just about height
A tree might fit perfectly beneath the ceiling, but what about the width of its canopy? Will it sit comfortably alongside the surrounding furniture? Will the branches interfere with walkways, obscure important sightlines or need to fit around existing architectural features?
It's also worth thinking about where the canopy begins, not just where it ends. The height of the trunk and positioning of the lower branches can make a considerable difference to how people move around and experience a space. Where people will be sitting beneath the tree, it's important to establish sufficient canopy clearance. At The Pickle Factory in London, for example, we specified 2.25 metres of clearance so customers could sit comfortably beneath the branches.
These details become particularly important with bespoke trees. Once the dimensions and design have been agreed, our team will manufacture the tree to the approved specification. Making significant changes to the proportions once the tree has been built can be difficult, so it's worth spending a little more time getting everything right at the beginning.
Our project at Three Snowhill in Birmingham is a good example. The artificial olive tree needed to sit alongside a pergola, with its branches carefully positioned to weave through the structure. We also designed a steel riser to raise the natural trunk to the correct height within its planter.
2. Construction: What's happening beneath the foliage?
There's more than one way to build an artificial tree, and the construction method can make quite a difference to its appearance, proportions and cost. At TreeLocate, we work with both preserved natural trunks and fully fabricated structures.
Natural trunks can be a fantastic option when you're looking for something with plenty of authentic character. Each one has its own shape, texture and natural variations, and they can also be a more cost-effective choice depending on the brief.
Fabricated trunks, on the other hand, give us greater freedom over the finished design. Built around a durable steel core and finished with realistic sculpted bark, they allow us to create unusual shapes, substantial trunk diameters and more complex structures that might not be achievable with a natural trunk.
For example, when we created a bespoke artificial oak tree for Deer Park School, a fabricated trunk allowed us to achieve the thick, characterful shape required while accommodating the low ceiling and a specially designed table surrounding the tree.
Neither construction method is necessarily better than the other. It really depends on what you're trying to achieve, the space you're working with and the budget available.
3. Atmosphere: What do you want the tree to do?
Not every space calls for the same kind of tree. A restaurant might benefit from a fuller canopy to create a sense of intimacy between tables, while a hotel reception may need something lighter and more open that doesn't interrupt views across the room.
The species, shape, branch positioning and density of the foliage can all influence how a space looks and feels. It's worth thinking about the wider design and the experience you want to create, rather than focusing solely on a tree you've seen in an inspiration image.
At Bancone in London's Soho, for example, we created a bespoke olive tree with a distinctive cloud-like canopy. By positioning the branches at varying heights, we achieved a natural, sculptural form that became a focal point of the restaurant and an inviting place for customers to gather.
The tree's surroundings can also influence the materials we recommend. Fire performance is often an important consideration in commercial interiors, while trees positioned outdoors or exposed to prolonged sunlight may need UV-resistant foliage. Our FireSilx and UVSilx ranges provide options for these requirements, with supporting test documentation available where needed. Depending on the project, fire-retardant materials may also be needed for the trunk construction. At Deer Park School, for example, we used fire-retardant sculpting foam, artificial bark mould coating and FireSilx foliage throughout the tree.
You probably wouldn't expect to find an enormous woodland pine in the middle of a small boutique restaurant, but then again, we've had some pretty unusual briefs over the years, and we're certainly not ones to rule anything out!
4. Installation: Will it actually get into the building?
It's something that's surprisingly easy to overlook when you're focused on the finished design. Doorways, lifts, corridors and access to the installation area can all affect how a bespoke artificial tree needs to be manufactured. A tree that looks perfectly proportioned in a design drawing still needs to reach its final position safely.
For larger projects, we can manufacture trees in transportable sections, allowing them to be dismantled, delivered and assembled on site. Considering these requirements early means we can plan the construction around the available access rather than discovering a problem when the tree arrives.
It's also worth thinking about how the tree will be positioned and supported once installed. Depending on the design, this might involve a purpose-built base, steel supports or integration with a decorative planter.
Our team considers transportation and installation requirements from the outset, and for more complex projects, we can also arrange for our experienced TreeBuilders to carry out the installation.
A final thought
The more information our team has at the beginning, the better we can understand what you're hoping to achieve. Reference images, dimensions, architectural drawings and even a few photographs of the space can all be incredibly helpful. It's also worth letting us know about any access restrictions, specific material requirements or project deadlines as early as possible.
We know every project is different, and sometimes the initial idea changes as the design develops. That's all part of creating something bespoke. Our team can help you explore the options, develop the design and agree the details before production begins, giving everyone a much clearer picture of what we're working towards.
If you're planning a project, take a look at our bespoke artificial tree service or get in touch with our team to discuss your ideas.
