This tree came perfectly boxed with instructions to pull out from the bottom. It slid right out and I was happy to see it was in perfect condition. The basket is made of very strong material and held the tree perfectly in place. The leaves on the tree are shiny and silky and I loved the way the bottoms of the leaves are a raspberry color. I could turn the leaves in various positions to show the raspberry coloring as much or as little as I wanted. I bought two of them to put on either side of a wall unit. Above the trees are paintings I did of flowers that the tree coloring highlights wonderfully. I love them so much!!