A fake palm tree that has a trunk hand painted to show bark lines and leaves treated to defy sun fade gives the closest match to a living tree. The build decides the look - top grade copies use molds taken from real trunks and mix leaf greens the way nature does. Trees built from those parts pass for alive, even under close inspection.

Yes. Artificial palms that carry an outdoor rating tolerate sun, rain and wind. UV-stable pigments keep the fronds from bleaching plus sealed trunks and stainless hardware stop water damage. Only trees sold for outdoor use survive outside - read the tag before you set one on the patio.

Oversized plants with simple leaf shapes copy nature best. Palms and fiddle-leaf figs fall into this group. A high grade plastic or silk blend, tight colour variation but also printed vein lines decide whether the eye accepts the plant as alive, not the species name.

A 20ft artificial palm tree usually costs between $2,000 and $5,000. The exact price depends on the quality plus any custom features. High-grade commercial models cost more - yet they last longer and appear more realistic. 

When a business buys multiple trees at once, the price for each tree drops, which helps the firm stay within budget. After the purchase, the tree needs no water, pruning or replacement for many years - the money spent is recovered over time.

A well built outdoor artificial tree remains in good condition for five to ten years. UV-blocking coatings but also weatherproof materials guard the leaves and trunk against sun fade as well as rain. A quick wash now and then removes dust and keeps the tree looking new. If the tree stands under a roof or in partial shade, it lasts even longer.