The Jackson Spruce features what Ashland calls a "cashmere finish" - marketing speak for hard needle PVC with frayed ends that create a softer, more textured feel. Despite the fancy name, this is still PVC (not realistic PE material), though it does provide a more tactile quality than typical flat artificial needles.

The tree combines approximately 5% PE (realistic polyethylene) needles on the exterior with PVC and hard needle materials for interior fullness. The mix of 2-3 different needle types creates some visual variety, but the limited PE content means this won't match the realism of trees in higher price brackets. At 1,297 tips for a 7.5ft tree, it's reasonably full though some customers note you can see through the branches - adequate for ornament display but may require strategic decoration placement to hide gaps.

The tree's three-section design features center pole connections that make assembly genuinely quick. However, customer reviews suggest quality control is hit-or-miss, with multiple reports of needles and pieces coming off easily during the initial fluffing process. Be gentle when shaping the branches.

Here's the tree's Achilles heel: the 400 warm white LED lights look great initially but have a troubling track record. Many customer reviews report complete or partial light failures after just 1-2 years of use - problematic given the 3-year warranty period.

The lights themselves are notably bright (some wish they were dimmable) and well-distributed with two depths per branch for even illumination throughout the tree. The T5-style LEDs provide that classic mini-light look. But when entire sections fail despite replacing fuses and bulbs, that brightness doesn't matter much.

Customer feedback suggests warranty support is frustrating - reportedly requiring you to cut out failed strands and install replacements rather than replacing the tree. Some customers eventually give up and restring the tree themselves, which defeats the purpose of buying pre-lit. Factor this potential hassle into your purchase decision.

This tree is frequently discounted heavily - we're talking steep markdowns that bring it well below the inflated list price. At those deep-discount prices, it becomes a different value proposition: essentially a short-term tree at a short-term price.

If you can snag this at a significant discount and accept that it may only last 2-3 seasons before lighting issues arise, it could make sense for specific situations. The quick setup, soft texture, and bright lighting are genuinely nice features for the price. But if you're paying anywhere near full retail, skip it - the durability concerns don't justify the cost.

Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers catching deep discounts, renters who move frequently, first-time artificial tree buyers, or those wanting a secondary tree who prioritize convenience and can accept a shorter lifespan.

Skip if: You want a tree that lasts 5-10+ years, prioritize maximum realism and PE content, need reliable lighting, prefer dimmable lights, or value solid warranty support. For long-term reliability, budget up to brands with 10-year warranties and better construction track records.

Assembly is genuinely quick - the three sections slide together and connect electrically through the center pole, so there's no hunting for light plugs. Branches fold down and require fluffing to achieve fullness. Start from the bottom and work up, being gentle as some users report pieces detaching easily.

Note that there's no plug for a tree topper - you'll need to run an extension cord to the top. Storage is compact at 20.5L x 14.5W x 46H inches, though one reviewer mentioned difficulty separating sections when disassembling - light lubricant and patience may help.

The model specs changed between fiscal years 2024 and 2025, including tip count and lighting modifications. If you're reading older reviews that mention different specs or the tree looking substantially different, that's why.