Olive, ficus or palm: compare the silhouette before the species

Use the outline as your first filter

An artificial tree is a decorative object whose outline may vary substantially between manufacturers. Compare the actual product photograph rather than expecting every model with the same botanical name to look alike. For a first shortlist, note whether the canopy is airy, dense, upright or spreading.

An olive-style tree for visible branch structure

If you want a lighter outline, look at models that show their branching between the leaves. Check the trunk from several angles and ask how much the branches can be shaped. An airy catalog image can be useful beside art or a mirror, but confirm the finished width before deciding it will fit.

A ficus-style tree for a fuller corner

A denser leafy silhouette can give a corner more visual weight. Compare the size and spacing of the leaves rather than simply counting them. Request photographs at room distance so that you can judge the whole tree. If a sofa or cabinet already fills most of the corner, a smaller canopy may be easier to place.

A palm-style tree for a spreading outline

Long fronds draw attention to width as well as height. Measure the path of the widest fronds around furniture and doors. Ask which parts can be adjusted and whether the listed dimensions assume a fully opened shape. A narrow base does not mean the whole tree occupies little space.

Compare like for like

Place the shortlisted photographs beside one another at a comparable apparent scale. Record height, canopy width, pot size, material, delivery cost and return conditions. The best choice for your room is the one that meets those requirements with the fewest unresolved questions, rather than the one with the most elaborate product name.