Reader Lori already wowed us with her cheery pink, blue and yellow retro kitchen. Looks like she’s done it again with her fabulous Christmas woddity — this stunning (and space saving) gold aluminum Evergleam “Peacock” tree — a two-dimensional aluminum Christmas tree meant to be set flat against a wall. Neither Pam nor I have ever seen a retro Christmas tree like this before, and we both think it is absolutely spectacular.
Lori has her Peacock tree set up in her rockin’ retro entry way. What a welcome sight this tree must be every time she walks through the door.
Lori writes:
I saw on your website that you were showcasing some of those fabulous mid century aluminum trees, and I just had to share with you two of my favorites.
The first is an EVERGLEAM 7 FT, 51 BRANCH GOLD PEACOCK TREE. I’ve never seen another one like this tree. It was made to be used against a flat wall or in a very small space. As you can see by the profile picture it doesn’t look like a tree until you see if from the front view.
It came with the original box that was in rough shape, I added pics of it, but unfortunately no instructions or sleeves for the branches. I have researched on the internet and could find nothing about this FANTASTIC so very MINIMALIST MID CENTURY TREE. We display it in our foyer and we get SO MANY comments on it, and most folks tell us we should just leave it up all year round. We won in on Ebay a couple of years ago from a seller out of Wisconsin. If anyone has any info on the tree we’d really appreciate it. Someone wrote on the box 1958 and someone’s name but I don’t know if that’s the original date of the tree or not.
And then I had to attach a picture of my old time favorite Aluminum Tree my 7 FT PINK EVERGLEAM tree. We’ve bought vintage ornaments at garage sales, flea markets and ebay so that all the ornaments we use are vintage as well. I’m always so excited when it comes time to decorate for Christmas so I can display these two beautiful trees.
My love for the Aluminum Trees came from my Grandmother. When I was a child she had a Silver Aluminum Tree with a color wheel and I would sit there for hours just watching the color wheel change to all the different colors on the aluminum branches. But unfortunately when she passed away my grandfather accidentally threw it away. So I was determined to get a tree and display it in honor of her every year.
Thanks again and I hope you enjoy the pictures of my two favorite HOLIDAY decorations. And to all I wish a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Wow — two stunning and unique vintage aluminum trees living under one roof — it must be a Christmas miracle.
After hunting around the internet for retro aluminum Peacock trees, all that came up was one lonely Ebay listing (that has since sold) for a four-foot, 29-branch silver Evergleam Peacock tree. Seller gsa was kind enough to give us permission to use the photos of this smaller scale rarity in our story.
Readers — have you ever owned or seen one of these aluminum peacock trees before?
UPDATE: After this story aired, I heard back from reader Lori — owner of the gold peacock tree. Turns out that she bought the small silver peacock tree from Ebay that we featured. She was kind enough to scan and send the original instructions that were included with her silver tree for the Retro Renovation archives. Lori also sent a photo of the two trees “posing” together.
Lori writes:
I saw that you featured the smaller 4 foot Peacock tree as well. I am the lucky person to have actually won that tree. After I sent the pics of my Gold Peacock tree I ran across this little tree on EBAY and I was the only one to bid on it. I was really surprised that no one else bid so I got it for $65.00. I just received it in the mail today and I was thrilled to find that the original instructions were inside along with the cardboard tripod and stand cover that came with these trees. Mine didn’t have one and I see that the Gold Peacock tree listed on EBAY currently doesn’t have the tripod or stand cover either. I’d imagaine that they were so fragile I doubt if they stood up over the years.
Kathy says
The Wisconsin Historical Society has a display of Evergleam trees every year since they were manufactured here. I don’t recall seeing one like that though. I have seen a similar small door decoration version on Ebay last year.
I bought a 7-ft white tree in college for $10 with a dowel rod center pole and 135 branches. The needles were plastic, but it was similar in construction to the aluminum trees, apparently from the late 60s, early 70s. I have been looking off and on for a replacement since.
Deb says
http://wuwm.com/post/remember-aluminum-trees-wisconsin-made-evergleams-are-making-comeback#stream/0
Theron Georges says
Hi, Lori! Beautiful Evergleam trees! From your boxes, can you tell me the marked model or item numbers? They’re usually printed on an end flap. Many Thanks!
Lori T says
Hi there Theron, Thanks so much for the lovely compliments on my two Peacock trees. I’ve had them for several years and I love putting them up at Christmas. I’ve got them in my storage unit so once I make a trip over to the unit I’ll take a look at the end flaps of the boxes. They both were in pretty rough shape but I love seeing the Peacock tree printing on the front of the box. Oh the Gold tree is six feet and the silver tree is four feet. I’ll be back in touch soon. Take care and have a great evening. Lori
Theron Georges says
Thank you! I’ll wait to hear from you.
Are the graphics different on the Peacock Tree, than one the “standard” red and green Evergleam box?
Talk soon!
Theron Georges says
Hi, Lori. Was just wanting to follow up with you. Any way to get in touch? I have some detailed questions for a research project. Hope to hear!
Suzy says
I did it! After coveting this ever since your post I finally made my own peacock tree. There is a picture on my blog with a link over here to this article.
Suzy says
Just saw some of these pictures on Facebook, without credit.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoldenGlowChristmas/?fref=nf
Gabrielle says
Aloha,
We used to have a vintage “toilet bristle” tree with the center ring and colored ends. Recently my grandma decided to toss it because some mice had taken up nesting in it over the summer. I’m trying super hard to locate another vintage tree like it though im having a tough time finding anything. Am I sol or does anyone here know of or have one for sale? Any help, even brand names or models would help! – I think it might have been a sears one from what people are saying on here. Mahalo for any help =)
-Brie
Marie says
I have a PomPon aluminum tree that my grandparents gave me in the 70s when I was small (it is from the 60s). It stands about 3′ tall and somehow throughout my childhood – including mailing it to and back from Florida one Christmas when I went down to visit my other GPs – it has survived. A few years back when living in Florida I ran across a vintage color wheel in a junk-filled antique store. Like Pam I only put real vintage glass ornaments on it and it’s my pride and joy. Mine looks very similar to this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-4-ft-Pom-Pom-aluminum-tinsel-christmas-tree-34-branch-original-box-/181023965111?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D13773%26meid%3D3897039058508417260%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1080%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D130573447164%26
Betty Roth says
Hurray! What an incredible, wonderful thing. Here in NYC, apartments are TINY (my 700sq. footer is the envy of my friends!) and a tree like this would be ideal. I have a small aluminum tree I bought on EBay that is missing branches and generally a hot mess. This post has given me a great idea! I’m going to retrofit that tree and make it into a Peacock tree. As soon as I’m finished I’ll post pics, if it’s okay with you. It seems like the mid-mod era was one of such brilliance and innovation in design. People really thought “outside of the box.” We could use more ingenuity like that today. Thanks Pam, for this wonderful site and for being a part of the resurgence of this fantastic era!
pam kueber says
Yes, I’d love to know if you can get this idea to work!!!
Chicago Char says
I just saw a color wheel at a thrift store. I recall there were some trees too but not colorful. I almost bought it but I had also read the vintage hoarder article so I didn’t because I really do not know how they are used. I had no idea they were used in conjunction with a metal tree. I have a circular metal “tree” that has plastic color panels where lights shine through them. Can someone explain what a color wheel does?
Jamie says
The color wheel shines the light onto the tree, they usually have a part that turns with the colored portion on them. Since these trees are aluminum it’s a hazard to string electric lights on them so the color wheel was used.
Linda Blackmore says
When I was a kid, we had a silver tree with pink balls. I never really realized how “with it” my mama was until I’ve fallen in love with the MCM. She really had some good stuff. ahahaha