5 Facts About Flocked Christmas Trees

Oct 17th 2022

Maybe it’s nostalgia for simpler times brought on by the pandemic. Or maybe it’s a matter of old styles becoming new again. Whatever the reason, flocked Christmas trees – artificial trees coated with a fluffy form of fake snow - have become a Christmas decorating favorite.

If you own an artificial flocked tree, you already understand the appeal. But what else do you know about flocked Christmas trees? Here are five fast facts:

1.  There is a difference between iced, frosted and flocked artificial Christmas trees. The branches of a flocked Christmas tree are generously covered with a loose white coating, called flocking, that mimics the look of newly-fallen snow. Frosted trees are more lightly flocked, for a snow-kissed look, while iced trees are dusted to look as they would on a frosty winter morning.

2.  Flocked, frosted and iced trees are favored for their versatility. They blend seamlessly with understated farmhouse and rustic decors, and can go from serene to sophisticated alongside today’s black, white and gray color schemes. Conversely, vividly colorful ornaments pop against a flocked tree’s white branches. And trendy metallic ornaments truly shine on a flocked tree.

3.  For at least a century, people have experimented with ways to flock a Christmas tree. In the early days, cotton, flour or cornstarch were used to create the look of a winter wonderland. The process became easier when manufacturers began selling flocking powder and home flocking kits in the mid-1900s.

4.  Flocked trees grew in appeal on the sunny West Coast, as movies of the time inspired them to recreate the nostalgic feel of a “White Christmas." In fact, a white Christmas tree makes an appearance in the 1942 classic “Holiday Inn.” Aluminum and silver tinsel trees were a mid-century modern adaptation of the look.

5.  Iced, flocked and frosted artificial trees should be stored in a box or Christmas tree bag designed to protect them from damage. Dust will dull the wintry white coating on your flocked or frosted tree. Humidity can turn flocking yellow, so store your flocked tree in a cool, dry area.

For reasons from stylish to sentimental, flocked Christmas trees continue to capture the attention of holiday decorators. Maybe that’s because a flocked Christmas tree sets a serene winter scene, whether the weather outside is fair or frightful.

Ready to purchase your own flocked Christmas tree? Shop Christmas Central's wide selection of flocked tree styles, sizes and tree species.

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