Article: Fake fir; The selection of artificial trees continues to grow. Here's a primer on what's new and what to look for.(SPECIAL)

1/3 Charlie Brown was laughed at when he chose a pitiful, brown twig as a statement against holiday commercialism in the animated classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

Now artificial tree shoppers can buy a "Charlie Brown" tree and decorate it with berries, pine cones or birds. "It's a casual lodge or northwoods look," said Clare Sierra, a Lyndale Garden Center buyer. And it works as an informal second tree for a family room or four-season porch.

The popularity and variety of artificial trees continues to grow. Of the consumers that had a Christmas tree in 1998, 53 percent had a fake tree and 46 percent chose fresh-cut greenery, according to a ...

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