it ships as this long fragile package which means it arrives bent and bashed, but it's an inherently flexible thing, so I just bent it back to where it should be and then spent an hour delicately arranging every light exactly the way I wanted it. I have to say the two screws to tighten down the trunk took some work. But it is freaking awesome at night. VERY bright, and depending on the angle for each light, looks like a mixture of white and gold lights. I am having to think how to deal with it during daytime viewing as it is... a little barren looking, and if you insist on looking closely at it, the whacky silver tape they wrapped around the "trunk" IS a little whack. Going to try many many tiny brilliant origami ornaments. I am using it indoors, I see how it would work outdoors with the plate and the four stakes. Overall I love it, and it is what I expected.