Preserved Trees for Indoor Decorating

Considerations

• Preserved trees are more expensive than artificial trees, with some larger or rarer varieties running as high as several hundred dollars, as of 2010. Preserved trees are so highly valued because they offer the aesthetic value of live trees without the intense maintenance of the real deal. Preserved trees are maintenance-free, save for occasional dusting. Though preserved trees are best kept in low-humidity environments, most preserved trees are well-suited for common rooms of your home. S

  ome manufacturers treat their trees with an embalming-like chemical liquid that might irritate people with chemical sensitivities but other manufacturers adhere to a patented natural preserving process that doesn't involve synthetic chemicals.

Palms

• Tropical plants are often challenging to grow because they require high heat and high humidity year-round. Palm trees are a favored tree for preservation because they create the appearance of an indoor tropical retreat without giving the stress of maintaining a live tropical plant. Palms tend to be one of the larger varieties of preserved tress -- some potted palms may be as tall 15 feet. Consider a preserved palm tree for your beach-themed or Caribbean-inspired home.

Topiaries

• Constructing a topiary requires a significant degree of gardening knowledge but preserved, potted topiaries are easy to care for and don't require any special care. Preserved topiary trees are traditionally shaped juniper bushes and the shapes range from classic spirals to elegant globes depending on your design tastes.

  Preserved topiary trees are well-suited for elegant homes with elaborate furniture or decorative lighting fixtures. Consider a line of symmetrical preserved topiary trees for your sitting room or bring some color into an upscale nursery with a bassinet flanked on each end by spiral junipers.

Bonsai Trees

• Bonsai trees are cultivated to resemble miniature versions of full-size trees and they feature impressive detail through the trunk, branches and leaves. Growing your own bonsai is challenging and the process of cultivating authentic bonsai is a centuries-old art form. Preserved bonsai trees save you the risk of a carefully cared-for bonsai tree dying from improper care.

  The bonsai usually don't top 20 inches, though more expensive, larger bonsai feature miniature trees as tall as six feet. Bonsai trees are a modern option for preserved trees so include them in your contemporary home to add an unexpected splash of color and texture in your otherwise streamlined design.