These little trees are really cute!  Yes they are artificial looking, but for outdoors along the drive way, who can tell?  The lights have many modes (flashing, twinkling, steady, etc) and although there is no mention of it in the scant instructions, there is a timer function embedded.  I planted them in pots, turned them on at around 6pm, and since that day they come on automatically at night and are off by morning.  Same as other reviews, the instructions say indoor use only.  But that makes no sense, as they have the spikes that set them in the ground or in a pot...  Just in case, I covered the battery power box in ziplock bags to protect them from rain or snow.  4 stars due to the lack of clarity on such product details.