Abstract: An artificial christmas tree apparatus includes a plurality of movable branches which are closeable and openable through the relative motion of an inner and outer tube arrangement which forms the trunk mechanism of the tree. Each branch includes a decorated leafy end and an oppositely located base end which is received in the trunk mechanism. The trunk mechanism comprises an outer tube having a first and a second aperture therein and an inner tube located within said outer tube. The inner tube includes a third and fourth aperture therein. The second aperture is larger than the first aperture and the third aperture is larger than the fourth aperture. The base end of each branch passes through said second, fourth, third and first apertures respectively and is anchored by a crimp located at one end of the branch. Relative motion of the inner and outer tubes causes the branches to move from a closed to an open position and vice versa.