Black Christmas Trees: Sizes, Shapes, Pre-Lit and Feather Options

The right black Christmas tree depends on four things: the height your ceiling allows, the width your floor allows, whether you want lights built in, and how full it should look. Makers list all four. A pencil tree suits corners, a full tree fills a room, and a feather or tabletop tree works on a mantel.

This guide is about which tree to buy. For color schemes and layering, see how to decorate a goth Christmas tree.

What height and width should a black tree be?

Start with the ceiling. Leave room for a topper, and remember that the stand adds a little height. Then measure the floor, because width decides whether the tree blocks a walkway.

Makers publish both numbers, and the spread is wide. The figures below come from maker product pages.

A 7.5 ft full tree can be more than twice as wide as a 7 ft slim one. That gap matters more in a small apartment than the one-foot difference in height.

Pencil, slim or full: which shape fits?

Pencil trees are the narrowest. Vickerman’s black pencil line runs from 6.5 ft by 28 inches up to 9.5 ft by 42 inches. They suit entryways, corners and spaces beside a fireplace.

Slim trees sit in the middle. They leave more branch space for ornaments than a pencil tree but still clear a doorway.

Full trees give the classic cone shape and the most room for decorating. Plan for a wide footprint: National Tree Company lists 54 inches at the base of its 7.5 ft black spruce.

Tabletop trees (roughly 4.5 ft and under) work on a sideboard or in a bedroom. Check the base width as well as the height, since a small tree still needs a stable stand.

Does tip count matter?

Tip count is the number of individual branch tips. At a similar height, more tips usually means a denser tree. Vickerman lists 712 tips on its 6.5 ft black pencil tree, while its 7.5 ft black slim fir has 1,238.

A dense tree hides the center pole, which matters on a black tree because gaps show as dark holes. A sparser tree shows off each ornament. If you plan to hang large feature pieces such as bats or moons, a moderate tip count gives them space.

Pre-lit or unlit?

Pre-lit trees skip the job of stringing lights. National Tree Company’s 6.5 ft pre-lit black spruce comes with 450 UL-listed clear lights, and the maker says the rest stay lit if one bulb goes out. Vickerman sells some black trees with warm white LEDs, and a black pencil tree with 400 orange LEDs for Halloween.

Unlit trees give you full control of light color. That matters on a goth tree, where purple or colored lights can change the whole mood. A separate string can also be replaced without replacing the tree.

UL Standards & Engagement also says holiday lights should not be left on overnight or when you are away. A plug-in timer handles that for a pre-lit tree.

Flocked, tinsel and feather trees

Flocked black trees have a textured coating on the branches. Vickerman’s flocked black slim fir comes in five heights, from 4.5 ft by 25 inches to 9 ft by 47 inches, unlit or with warm white LEDs.

Tinsel-style trees add sparkle to the branches. National Tree Company’s 7 ft Tinsel Collection black tree is a slim 24 inches at the base.

Feather trees have the longest history. According to Wikipedia’s history of artificial trees, they were developed in Germany in the 1880s from goose feathers dyed green. The Sauk County Historical Society notes they became popular in the United States in the 1920s. Its account adds that Germany made them in more colors during the 1930s. Black feather trees vary a lot in size, so check the height on each listing.

Black tree or Halloween tree?

Many black trees carry both holidays. Vickerman’s orange-lit pencil tree is made with Halloween in mind, and National Tree Company names some pre-lit black spruce trees for Halloween. If you plan one tree from October to December, read the Halloween Christmas trees guide first.

Finish the look

A tree is only the first layer. The goth Christmas decor hub maps the whole room, and black stockings, wreaths and garland covers the mantel, door and tree skirt.