Hollow Rivets for Artificial Christmas Tree Assembly

Hollow rivets are a small but essential fastener used in the assembly of artificial Christmas trees. Their job is straightforward: they create a permanent mechanical connection between the tree's branch units and the central trunk hub, allowing branches to pivot open during setup and hold securely in position during use.

If you manufacture artificial Christmas trees - whether PVC or PE types - hollow rivets are one of the hardware components you need in bulk, in consistent quality, and on time for your production schedule. ONE PLASTIC supplies hollow rivets as part of our complete Christmas tree production series, alongside film, machinery, and other assembly hardware.

What Do Hollow Rivets Do in a Christmas Tree?

In a typical artificial Christmas tree, the trunk is divided into two or three sections. Each section has a central hub - a metal disc or tube welded to the trunk pole - with slots or holes where branch groups are attached. The hollow rivet is the fastener that pins each branch wire group to the hub, creating a hinge point that allows the branch to fold down for storage and fan out for display.

The rivet passes through the branch wire bundle and the hub slot, then is set (flared or pressed) on the other side. Once installed, the branch can rotate around the rivet axis but cannot pull free. This is why hollow rivets are sometimes referred to as "hinge rivets" or "tree hub rivets" in the Christmas tree manufacturing industry.

Without the right rivet, branches loosen over repeated setup-and-teardown cycles, leading to consumer complaints about drooping or detaching branches - one of the most common quality issues with low-cost artificial trees.

Specifications

Custom sizes are available for non-standard hub designs. Contact our team with your hub thickness and branch wire gauge, and we can recommend the correct rivet specification.

How Hollow Rivets Work with Other Tree Components

An artificial Christmas tree is an assembly of several components that must work together. Here is where hollow rivets fit in the overall structure:

Trunk Pole → Hub → Hollow Rivet → Branch Wire Group → PVC/PE Foliage

The trunk pole is the central vertical tube. The hub (also called a "spider" or "connector ring") is welded or fixed to the pole at each tier. Branch wire groups - bundles of twisted steel wire with PVC Christmas tree film or PE needles attached - are connected to the hub through the hollow rivet.

The rivet acts as the hinge pin. When the consumer sets up the tree, they pull each branch group outward and downward from its folded storage position. The rivet allows this rotation while keeping the branch permanently attached to the hub.

In some tree designs, hinge connectors or spring clips are used alongside hollow rivets to add automatic branch-spreading functionality. However, the basic rivet-and-hub connection remains the standard fastening method for the majority of artificial Christmas trees produced worldwide.

Common Sizes and How to Choose

Choosing the correct hollow rivet size depends on two factors: hub slot thickness and branch wire bundle diameter.

If you are unsure which size to use, send us a sample of your hub and branch wire, and we will match the correct rivet specification. For more details on how branches and hubs fit together in the production process, see our guide on the production process of artificial Christmas trees.

Material and Surface Treatment Options

Low-Carbon Steel (Standard): The most common choice for Christmas tree rivets. Low-carbon steel is easy to set, strong enough for the application, and cost-effective in bulk. With zinc plating, it provides adequate corrosion resistance for indoor use.

Stainless Steel: Used for higher-end trees or trees marketed for outdoor or semi-outdoor use. Stainless steel rivets resist corrosion without plating, but cost more and are slightly harder to set.

Zinc Plating (Standard): Provides a bright, clean appearance and basic corrosion protection. This is the default surface treatment for most Christmas tree hardware.

Nickel Plating: Offers a slightly warmer tone and better corrosion resistance than zinc. Sometimes specified for premium tree lines.

Black Oxide: Used when the rivet head will be visible on the finished tree and needs to blend with dark-colored hub hardware.

Packaging and Bulk Supply

For Christmas tree production, ordering is typically seasonal - most manufacturers place rivet orders between March and August for the annual production cycle. We recommend confirming your rivet specification and quantity early in the season to ensure on-time delivery.

Why Source Hollow Rivets from ONE PLASTIC?

Christmas Tree Industry Focus: We are not a general fastener distributor. ONE PLASTIC specializes in the artificial Christmas tree supply chain - from PVC film and PE materials to machinery and parts and assembly hardware. We understand how these rivets are used and what quality standards matter in tree production.

Consistent Quality: Our rivets are manufactured to consistent dimensional tolerances. This matters because rivets that are slightly oversized or undersized cause jams in automated assembly equipment or loose branch connections on the finished tree.

Bulk Pricing: As a factory-direct supplier, we offer competitive pricing on bulk rivet orders. Most Christmas tree factories need hundreds of thousands to millions of rivets per season - our pricing is structured for this volume.

One-Stop Supply: By sourcing rivets, film, and other components from a single supplier, you simplify your purchasing, reduce shipping costs, and ensure component compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hollow rivet?

A hollow rivet (also called a tubular rivet) is a fastener with a hollow shank. Unlike a solid rivet, the hollow center allows the shank to be flared outward when set, creating a secure but lightweight connection. In Christmas tree assembly, hollow rivets are used to pin branch wire groups to the trunk hub, forming a hinge that allows branches to fold and spread.

Can I use solid rivets instead of hollow rivets for Christmas trees?

Technically yes, but hollow rivets are preferred for this application. They are lighter, easier to set at high speed on assembly lines, and create a smoother hinge action. Solid rivets require more force to set and can damage thin hub material.

What equipment do I need to set hollow rivets?

For small-scale or manual assembly, a simple hand-operated rivet press is sufficient. For production-line assembly, pneumatic or automated rivet setting machines are used. The setting tool flares the open end of the rivet shank against the back side of the hub, locking the branch in place.

Can you supply other Christmas tree hardware besides rivets?

Yes. ONE PLASTIC supplies a range of components for artificial Christmas tree production, including trunk connectors, base hardware, and hinge parts, as part of our Christmas tree production accessories. Contact us with your full component list for a combined quotation.

What is the minimum order quantity?

MOQ varies by rivet specification. For standard sizes, typical MOQ starts at 50,000 pieces. Contact our sales team for specific pricing based on your required size and quantity.

Get a Quote

Need hollow rivets for your Christmas tree production line?

• Send Your Specification - Tell us your rivet size, material, surface treatment, and quantity

• Request Samples - We can send samples for testing on your assembly line before bulk order

• Get a Combined Quote - If you also need PVC film, machinery parts, or other tree components, we can provide a single quotation for everything

Contact: operation@one-plastic.com

Related Products: Christmas Tree Production Series | PVC Christmas Tree Film | Machine Parts

Related Resources: The Production Process of Artificial Christmas Trees | Contact Us