OK, this might sound a little silly. I have an artificial tree that has a real log as the trunk. The boys were real interrested the moment i took it out of the box. I immediately figured out that the base would fit perfectly into my square laundry basket. I can also put all of the light controlers and plugs in there and run one heavy cord out of the side to the outlet. I put the tree skirt around the trunk at the top of the basket and let it drape over to the floor. Everything is covered and they don't pay any attention to it. I've done it that way for the last 3 years. I think it would work with a real tree.
