Every Always Green tree uses an umbrella system, sometimes called hinged branches: the branches are already attached to the pole and open on their own. There are no hooks to sort and no branches to insert one by one. Here is the whole process, start to finish.
Written by the Always Green team in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Updated October 2026.
Before you start
- Pick the spot first. Keep the tree away from fireplaces, heaters and vents.
- Clear a circle of floor a little wider than the tree's widest tier.
- Open the box near that spot. The sections are easier to carry one at a time.
- If you plan to use lights, have them ready. It's easier to light each tier while you fluff it.
Step 1. Set up the stand
Unfold the stand legs fully and set it level on the floor.
Step 2. Seat the bottom section
Lower the bottom section straight into the stand until it sits firmly. The bottom branches are hinged to the pole, so they rest on their own just above the stand.
Step 3. Add the upper sections
Lift each section by its top. The branches hang down, folded against the pole. Lower it straight onto the section below. As it seats, the branches drop open like an umbrella.
Step 4. Fluff the branches
This is the step that makes the tree look full, and the one most people rush. Work from the bottom tier up, and from the trunk outward on each branch. Spread every tip a little up, a little out and a little to the side, so no two tips point the same way. Don't skip the tips near the trunk: they fill the tree from the inside.
Step 5. Step back and check
Look at the tree from across the room. Gaps usually mean a branch still points down or a few tips lie flat. Lift and spread them, and the gap closes.
Want us to do it?
In the Kansas City area we offer in-home tree setup for $85. We bring the tree in, set it up and fluff every branch.
Common questions
Do I have to attach the branches?
No. Every branch is fixed to the pole at the workshop. You only stack the sections and fluff.
Why does my tree look flat right out of the box?
The branches were folded tight for shipping. Fluffing every tip brings back the full shape. A tree that still looks thin after setup usually just needs another pass at the inner tips.
Will I have to fluff it every year?
A little. The first setup takes the longest. If you fold the branches gently when you take the tree down, they keep much of their shape for next year.
How do I take it down?
Work in reverse: top section first. Lift it and the branches fold down on their own. See Care and storage.