The Collins Fir solves a problem that plagues most memory wire trees: they look sparse because manufacturers skip the inner filler branches to let the memory wire do its work. Ashland takes a different approach—they combine memory wire technology with strategic PVC filler branches throughout the inner structure. The result is a tree that's both exceptionally full AND fast to set up.

At an estimated 50% PE (higher than typical for this price range), the Collins Fir uses realistic molded needles strategically. The PE branches extend beyond the base silhouette—long, natural-looking tips that break up the uniform outline and create visual depth. This is what customers mean when they say it 'looks real' in reviews. The tree doesn't have that perfectly conical, obviously-artificial shape.

The 3,092 tip count across a 62-inch diameter creates genuine density. You won't see through to the trunk or center pole. The inner fluffing from those PVC filler branches is what sets this apart from sparser memory wire competitors.

Setup is legitimately fast: the memory wire branches automatically drop into position when you unfold them. Customer reviews consistently report 15-30 minute assembly times. This isn't marketing exaggeration—the combination of memory wire and minimal required shaping delivers on the promise.

The significant weakness? Lighting. At 500 LEDs for a 7.5-foot full-profile tree, the Collins Fir delivers only 67 lights per foot of height. Industry standard for full trees is 100+ lights per foot. This tree should have 750-800+ bulbs. It's short by 250-300 lights, and that shows up in customer reviews mentioning dark spots and wishing for more illumination.

Ashland clearly prioritized tree quality (fullness, realistic branching, fast setup) over lighting technology. They're selling you a beautiful tree with convenient assembly, but they cut corners on the light count.

Memory wire is thin metal wire woven into branch cores that 'remembers' a pre-set shape. When you pull the branch out and release it, the wire causes it to spring into a predetermined position. Most memory wire trees look sparse because the branches need room to move, so manufacturers skip the dense inner filler branches.

Ashland solves this with a hybrid approach:

• Memory wire branches form the outer framework and automatically position themselves
• PVC filler branches fill the inner gaps and add density
• PE tips on outer sections provide realistic texture

The result is a tree that combines the speed of memory wire setup with the fullness typically only found in manually-shaped trees. You get both convenience AND visual quality.

The longer PE branches that extend beyond the base shape are key to the realistic appearance. These aren't just tips on the ends of branches—they're full extensions that poke out at irregular intervals, breaking up the symmetrical silhouette. Real trees have branches that don't conform to perfect geometry. The Collins Fir mimics this naturally.

After a season in storage, the memory wire retains most of its shape memory. Subsequent setups are even faster—10-15 minutes according to reviews.

This is where the Collins Fir falls short. At 500 LEDs for a 7.5-foot full-profile tree:

• Actual: 67 lights per foot of height
• Industry standard for full trees: 100+ lights per foot
• Recommended for this tree: 750-800+ bulbs
• Shortfall: 250-300 bulbs

For context on industry standards:

• Budget trees: 50-70 lights/ft
• Mid-range: 80-100 lights/ft
• Premium: 100-150+ lights/ft
• Slim trees: 60-80 lights/ft (less surface area)
• Wide trees: 110-130+ lights/ft (more surface area)

The Collins Fir's 67 lights/ft puts it in budget-tier lighting territory despite the premium tree construction. This isn't theoretical—multiple customer reviews specifically mention noticing dark spots or wishing for more light. The coverage is functional but noticeably sparse, especially on inner branches and when viewed from angles.

If you're planning heavy decoration (garland, ribbon, lots of reflective ornaments), this helps mask the lighting gaps. If you prefer a minimally decorated tree where the lights are the primary visual element, the under-lighting becomes immediately apparent.

The 9 lighting modes are controlled via a wired button on the power cord:

1. Combination
2. In Waves
3. Sequential
4. Slo-Glo
5. Chasing/Flash
6. Slow Fade
7. Twinkle/Flash
8. Steady On
9. Timer (6 hours on, 18 hours off)

The timer is the only hands-free feature. There's no remote control, no foot pedal, no app. You physically press a button on the cord each time you want to change modes. For a tree in this price range, the lack of remote control feels outdated.

The lack of a topper plug is standard across the industry—most manufacturers don't include them because they add cost and complexity. It's disappointing, but not unusual for the Collins Fir specifically.

The Collins Fir uses an estimated 50% PE blend—higher than most trees at this price point. The PE needles are concentrated on outer branch sections and on those longer 'poking out' branches that extend beyond the silhouette. They have subtle color variation (darker green at the base, lighter at the tips) and a matte finish that photographs well.

The PVC filler branches serve dual purposes:

• They fill interior gaps to create fullness
• They provide structure and support for ornaments

This is smarter than it sounds. Most memory wire trees look beautiful when empty but struggle to hold heavy ornaments because there's not enough interior support. The Collins Fir's filler branches give you anchor points throughout the tree depth.

At 3,092 tips across a 62-inch diameter, the density is exceptional. The branch count is high, but more importantly, the distribution is strategic. The inner fluffing creates fullness that hides the trunk completely. The outer PE branches create realistic texture. The long extending branches break up the artificial symmetry.

Fir-style needles are flatter and softer than spruce or pine, giving the tree a traditional Christmas tree profile. The PE molding quality is good—individual needles have realistic texture variation rather than uniform flat plastic.

Setup time is genuinely fast. Customer reviews consistently report 15-30 minutes for first-time assembly. Here's what that process looks like:

1. Assemble the stand and base section (5 minutes): The metal stand screws together. The bottom tree section connects to the center pole.

2. Stack remaining sections (2 minutes): The tree comes in multiple sections that stack and connect via the center pole.

3. Unfold branches (5-15 minutes): This is where memory wire saves time. Pull each branch away from the pole and release—the wire springs the branch into position automatically. Some minor adjustment needed, but not the extensive shaping required by traditional hinged trees.

4. Final fluffing (5-10 minutes): Fan out needle clusters and adjust any branches that aren't sitting quite right. This is minimal compared to non-memory-wire trees.

The time savings compared to traditional trees is real. A standard hinged tree of this size typically requires 45-60 minutes of setup, with significant time spent manually positioning and shaping each branch. The Collins Fir cuts that roughly in half.

For subsequent years, setup is even faster. The memory wire retains most of its shape during storage, so you're looking at 10-15 minutes according to customer reports. Pull out, fluff minimally, done.

Storage is straightforward: fold branches back against the center pole, separate sections, box them up. The tree breaks down into 3 sections that pack relatively compactly for a 7.5-foot full tree. Storage space required is similar to other trees of this size—expect to need about 4-5 cubic feet of space.

At $299.99 (the typical sale price at Michaels), the Collins Fir is competitively priced for what you get: premium construction, exceptional fullness, fast setup, 50% PE blend. The $750 MSRP is inflated—this tree is realistically a $300-400 tree, and Michaels runs frequent sales.

Who should buy this:

• Anyone who values fast, easy setup
• Shoppers who want fullness without manually fluffing for an hour
• Buyers planning heavy decoration (helps mask the lighting gaps)
• People who appreciate realistic branching and natural silhouette
• Those who want a premium-looking tree at mid-range pricing (when on sale)

Who should skip it:

• Anyone who needs maximum lighting coverage
• Shoppers who prefer minimalist decoration (the under-lighting becomes obvious)
• Buyers who want remote control or app-based lighting
• People who need a topper plug for powered tree toppers
• Anyone uncomfortable with Michaels' inflated MSRP pricing model

Alternatives to consider:

• Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce (7.5ft): Better lighting (1,480 LEDs), dual-color option, higher PE percentage, but more expensive ($400-600) and slower setup
• King of Christmas trees: Similar pricing, better lighting coverage, less realistic branching, traditional setup (45-60 minutes)
• National Tree Company models: Budget-friendly ($200-300), adequate lighting, lower PE percentage, traditional setup
• Memory wire trees from other brands: Faster setup like Collins, but typically sparser unless specifically advertised as 'full' with filler branches

Bottom line: The Collins Fir delivers on its core promise—exceptional fullness with fast memory wire setup. The lighting is the clear weakness. If you're willing to accept budget-tier light coverage in exchange for premium tree quality and convenience, this is a solid choice at $300. If lighting is your priority, look elsewhere.