On a pre-lit tree somebody else has already chosen the bulb colour, the spacing and the brightness. If a run fails in a few years, the tree has a dark patch and there is nothing to be done about it.

This one arrives unlit, so you pick warm white, cool white, coloured or big bulb lights, and change your mind whenever you like. If a string fails you replace the string, not the tree.

Five feet, three feet across

5 ft of height against a 3 ft spread on a 16 inch stand. That is a full profile at this height, wide enough to look like a room tree rather than a slim one. The drawing sets it beside a four foot child, which shows how manageable it is to decorate.

Leaves and base

Two claims and one piece of hardware. The manufacturer describes the PVC as flame-retardant, fade-resistant, smell-free and non-allergic. The base is a crossed metal frame that folds flat, which is what makes a full profile tree storable.

What it looks like dressed

With ribbon and baubles on it the tree fills out properly. Nothing in this photograph comes in the box: the tree ships bare, which is the point of an unlit model. Canadian Tire's guide makes the case for tip count here, and 519 at five feet gives plenty of places to hang something.

A generous count for five feet, so ornaments and garland sit without gaps.

Branches fall into place as the tree is raised rather than being hooked on.

No fitted string, so the lighting is yours to choose and replace.

A 16 inch metal base that folds flat, with protective foot pads.

Pads on the feet to keep metal off a wood or laminate floor.

Flame-retardant, anti-fading, non-allergic and smell-free per the manufacturer.

Ships from our United States warehouse. Delivery to Canada usually takes 8 to 14 business days, with no customs charges or duties to pay on arrival. Free shipping on orders over $150, a flat $18.90 below that, and tracking by email as soon as it leaves.

Return within 14 days of purchase, unused, in original condition and packaging.

Covered directly by the manufacturer under their warranty terms for material and manufacturing defects.

Found it cheaper at a Canadian retailer? Send us the link and we will match that price. It has to be the same item, in stock, sold and shipped inside Canada, and compared like for like on what comes in the box.

Warm white, colour, big bulbs or none. Nothing is decided at the factory.

Five feet puts the whole tree within a child's reach.

A tree with no wiring in it has nothing electrical to fail.

What we stand behind

• Ornaments, garlands and gifts in the photography are not included. This tree has no lights.
• Height, spread, base size and the 519 tip count come from the manufacturer's own dimension graphic and description.
• Flame-retardant and fade-resistant are the manufacturer's claims for the PVC, not our testing.
• Ships from our United States warehouse, free shipping over $150, and 14 day returns unused in the original packaging.
• 14 day returns, unused and in the original packaging.

How many lights should I buy for it?

That is the choice this tree gives you. Whatever you pick, Health Canada advises looking for a CSA, cUL or cETL mark on the string, keeping indoor rated lights indoors and switching them off before bed.

Is assembly difficult?

No, but it is required. The sections go together, the hinged branches drop into place, and then the tips are spread out by hand. Work from the bottom of the tree upwards.

How much floor space does it need?

3 ft across at the widest branches on a 16 inch base, so a floor circle of about three and a half feet.

Does the base fold?

Yes. The crossed metal base folds flat for storage and has pads on the feet so it does not mark the floor.