Abstract: A method of forming artificial needles in an elongated planar strip of plastic material to be formed into artificial tree branches, comprises bending longitudinal edge portions of the strip out of the plane of the strip progressively along the length of the strip, and slitting longitudinal edge portions of the strip, including the bent portions of the strip and portions of the strip adjacent the bent portions, in a direction transverse to the length of the elongated strip, to form artificial needles. The strip is preferably advanced continuously along a bending tool to bend the longitudinal edge portion. The longitudinal edge portion of the strip may be heated prior to or during the bending of the edge portion to reduce spring back.

Abstract: A base is designed to support a Christmas tree on the floor. The base comprises an upright main body, an upper seat fitted into the top end of the upright main body for holding the Christmas tree, a sleeve fitted over the upright main body, a lower seat fitted into the bottom end of the upright main body, and three legs for supporting the main body in the upright position such that an upper support rod of each of the three legs is releasably retained by the sleeve, and that a lower support rod of each of the three legs is releasably retained by the lower seat.

Abstract: An artificial Christmas tree construction wherein artificial foliage (i.e., pine needles) is secured to rings of successively smaller diameter. The rings are supported on rods which extend outwardly and downwardly from a central support column. The tree may be stored and shipped in a carton of smaller volumetric capacity than is required for prior art artificial tree constructions.