I was hesitant to buy a tree online but took a chance and very happy I did. First off, a flocked tree is going to make a MESS during assembly and if you can get past that and accept it, you’ll love this tree too. I bought the unlit version as I like wayyyyyy more lights than would have been included so I wrapped the branches from trunk to tips myself with 7,000 LED bulbs. The tree is tagged by letter and goes together in five pieces. All the branches need to be shaped. I found it easier and less messy to unbend and shape one branch at a time and light each branch as I went.  The tree is actually about 9 12 feet of the top tip was extended upward fully.  The tree branches are secured to the trunk well and nothing fell off during assembly. The base is large and sturdy as well.   One feature we LOVE is that some branches have large clumps of snow on the tips (see photo) so we made sure to feature these areas in the front of the tree when possible.