When my twins were little we put the baby gate around the tree to block it off.

I have 2 toddlers and multiple flocked trees. What I have learned is that if you just put the tree up, no decorations on it, and leave it sit for a couple of days they will get used to it being there and leave it alone. I don’t know why it works but then you can put decorations on it when they aren’t paying attention and it’s like they don’t even care. I also have a separate non-flocked tree that is “there’s”. That is the one they decorate to their liking. I hope this helps!

it really just depends on your toddler and their curiosity/understanding! i didn’t baby proof so my toddler knows not to play with “decorations”- we told him the tree was a decoration and he leaves it alone. if that wouldn’t work you could get them their own little tree and redirect them to that? good luck to you and your vacuum!!