The other is contact with PVC dust beneath the tree, the result of physical decomposition of the “pine needles”—a particular concern for crawling infants. Significantly, new trees (new in 2004, that is) generally showed much lower levels of lead than trees manufactured costway lounge chair in the 1980s and 1990s. We did a battery test on an earlier version of this Ego trimmer, and on a single battery charge it cut down about 3,400 square feet of dense overgrown grass, weeds, and stalky shrubs (an area measuring nearly 60 by 60 feet).
A small sharp edge on the underside of the debris shield then cuts the end of the string to the proper length. The spool can hold about 16 feet of string, so you have a constant supply, which is essential for longer or more aggressive trimming sessions. The ST1511T weighs a little over 10 pounds, so it isn’t the lightest of the bunch. But it was still easy to manage thanks to its nice balance and the addition of a telescoping shaft and a quick adjustment on the handle. Those two features make it possible to customize the ST1511T’s ergonomics to fit a wide variety of body heights and types, something we’ve never seen done so easily on larger trimmers. Smaller trimmers, powered by 18- and 20-volt batteries, usually cost between $100 and $200.
We used the trimmers between rose bushes, down the edge of a driveway, and around fire pits. During testing, we paid attention to the trimmers’ overall ease of use, balance, ergonomics, handling, and noise. The Lee Valley set delivers everything you need to get started on your scything journey. If the Lee Valley set is sold out, the individual pieces (blade, handle, sharpening stone, and holster) are available for purchase separately at roughly the same cost. If you’re looking for a replacement umbrella canopy for your existing stand, we’ve got those, too. Find an umbrella stand, or an umbrella base if you’re looking to replace.
As for run time and cutting ability, we have yet to find a property where a battery-powered trimmer falls short. The best of the battery models can slice through thick stalks of Japanese knotweed and can finish the work at large properties with plenty of battery charge to spare. We’re highlighting this model in particular because its lights (along with the branch-tip construction) are the same as those on our pick, the popular and widely appealing Downswept Douglas Fir. The lights have the same multiple colors and patterns (nine in total) that our staffers found so charming, including all-color, all-white, and the “sparkling” mode (some bulbs gently dim and rebrighten). Again, this tree has fewer of them (350 versus 750), but the Pencil Slim still looks fully lit because those lights are spread among a lot less foliage.
Still, when it came to regular trimming—even in heavier weed areas—this trimmer had little problem on multiple hilly properties in Los Angeles in spring 2020. The padding is comfortable, and it’s something we came to appreciate during longer trimming sessions, but it is delicate and can easily tear if you happen to snag it on a hook, a nailhead, or maybe even a rose thorn. After two years of use, our test unit has sustained a single tear (remedied with a little electrical tape).
Finally, it’s widely available, easy to set up, and competitively priced. (For smaller homes, we recommend the 6½-foot version.) As with most artificial trees, this model takes up a chunk of storage space in the off-season, even when it’s disassembled. This tree’s lights connect automatically via wiring in the sections of trunk, so setup is easy.
But it does excel in larger areas that a mower can’t handle, either where you have too much of a slope or the ground is uneven. With proper technique, a scythe can cut the grass and leave it in a neat and orderly fashion, making it easy to clean up once you’re done. Artificial trees are manufactured mostly in China, where environmental laws tend to be less stringent.
But as the 2007 study pointed out, driving a gas-powered car just a few hundred miles produces more greenhouse gases than producing a typical artificial Christmas tree. So compared with the cumulative environmental cost of everyday activities and consumption, your fake tree isn’t much more than a blip. Still, taking care of it and extending its life is a way to minimize its costway patio furniture environmental impact. I participated in the setup of each tree, to get firsthand experience with all of our contenders. And we invited everyone in the office to share their preferences and impressions of the trees over the course of two weeks. Though the WG170.2 was one of the smallest trimmers we tested, it was the only one in the group with a pivoting trimmer head.
Another Ego model, the ST1502SA Power+ 15″ String Trimmer with Rapid Reload has a manual line-load system that is tedious compared with the push-button load system of our top pick. The Echo DSRM2600 eForce 56V X Series String Trimmer is a very nice three-speed model with a durable feel. The downsides are a notably small debris guard and an extremely high price. If you’d rather have the assurance of a second battery (though we don’t think one is necessary), additional batteries are available for about $150 to $600, depending on the capacity. Lightweight, with a full assortment of ergonomic adjustments, this trimmer is not as powerful as the others, but it’s a great fit for small lawns. Quality is a top priority, and these are built to withstand the weather.
People often overlook the fact that they’ll need to store an artificial tree for 10 or 11 months out of the year, House of Holiday’s Larry Gurino pointed out. And, he added, lack of storage space is the main reason that city and apartment dwellers favor live trees. (He also noted that when live trees get thrown out, they often become free mulch for public parks—in effect, they’re recycled.) So unless you have lots of storage room in your place, a live tree may make more sense.