Abstract: A machine for shaking Christmas trees to remove loose needles therefrom. The machine includes a frustoconical holder for receiving the trunk of the tree and adapted to be orbited by a power-rotated shaft in order to shake the tree. A flexible belt is connected between the holder and the housing of the machine in order to prevent the holder from spinning about its own axis as it orbits. The holder is inclined upwardly from horizontal to facilitate loading of the tree into the holder, to reduce the effort required to retain the tree in the holder during shaking and to avoid burying of the machine with needles. A guard shields the holder to help protect against injury and also serves as a cradle to support the tree prior to loading of the tree into the holder. The machine may be converted for driving by the power take-off of a tractor or for driving by an electric motor.