Patent ID: 7445823

Claim:
An artificial tree, comprising: a tubular elongate trunk; a plurality of branches, each branch having opposed first and second ends, each said second end having a hook and being positionable away from said trunk when said opposed first end is adjacent said trunk; means for supporting said trunk in an upright position; wherein: said trunk presents an upper end and a lower end; said trunk defines a plurality of openings between said trunk upper and lower ends; each branch first end has an extension complementary to a respective trunk opening for selectively coupling said branch first end to said trunk; each said trunk opening includes a primary opening and a flange opening; each said extension includes a primary member, a flange having a diameter that is larger than a diameter of said primary member, and a plate having a diameter that is larger than said primary member diameter, said plate being spaced apart from said flange to define a receiving area therebetween; each said primary member is receivable in a respective primary opening; each said flange is receivable in a respective flange opening; and each said extension is rotatable when its primary member is received in a respective primary opening and its flange is received in a respective flange opening to sandwich said trunk between said flange and said plate of said extension, whereby coupling said extension to said trunk.