Decorating outdoor trees with lights can transform your outdoor event, wedding, or Christmas scene from good to extraordinary. It's a marvelous method to make holiday enthusiasts express awe with “ooh” and “ahh” as they slowly drive by your residence.
Though wrapping trees in lights adds substantial charm, the task itself is fairly simple. By adhering to some fundamental guidelines and suggestions, you'll discover that illuminating your trees can proceed smoothly and swiftly.
Select Your Lights
Initially, you must select the lights you plan to use. There are no strict rules for choosing lights for this activity. You can utilize nearly any sort of decorative light to adorn the trees.
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However, smaller bulbs are generally more suitable. They highlight and accentuate the natural symmetry of the tree without being overpowering.
Moreover, smaller bulbs are easier to install. Wrapping strings of lights around the trunks and branches becomes more cumbersome with larger bulbs.
Mini-lights, particularly LED mini-lights, are often the preferred choice. Specifically, 5 mm Wide Angle Conical lights are great for this purpose and favored by most professional lighting installers.
Consider the wire color of the light sets. Many of our bulbs come with options like white, green, and brown wires. Choosing a wire color that blends with the natural look of the tree during the day can be beneficial.
Measure
You should take some basic measurements and calculations to ensure you have enough lights. It can be quite frustrating to run out of lights mid-decorating.
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Begin by measuring the trunk's circumference and its height. Decide on the spacing between each light wrap around the trunk (2-3 inches apart is common).
For example, assuming the trunk is 5 feet tall with a 3-foot circumference, and using 3-inch spacing:
- 5 feet (height) x 4 (wraps per foot) = 20 feet
- 20 feet x 3 feet (circumference) = 60 feet
Thus, you'll need 60 feet of lights to wrap the trunk.
If wrapping branches, use the same calculations for each branch and add the total lengths to get the overall lighting requirement.
Don't forget about extension cords. Ensure you have what is needed. For most scenarios, one cord per tree will be enough, though sometimes multiple plug-ins or extra cords may be necessary for larger trees.
Wrap
Now, let's start wrapping.
Begin by carefully rolling your string of lights into a ball, starting with the female plug so the male plug stays on the outside.
Rolling the lights into a ball makes them easier to manage. Hold the ball in one hand and guide the wrapping with the other.
Measuring the desired spacing can be helpful. For instance, if using 3-inch spacing, mark reference points with chalk or a marker.
Start at the trunk's base with the male plug at ground level and begin wrapping, using your marked points for even spacing. Wrap tightly for a snug fit and repeat for branches.
Friction will assist in holding the wire in place after a few wraps. For even spacing that remains intact, consider TreEZ wraps. These come in different colors to blend with the application surface and can be clipped together to any length. Use them at the tree's back while wrapping.
Zip ties and tree clips can also be used to secure the wires. Clips are particularly useful for long-term positioning, countering wind movement.
For a unique criss-cross appearance, try wrapping both upwards and downwards on the trunk or branch. Wrap upwards at double the desired spacing, then wrap downwards filling in the gaps.
Enjoy!
Decorating your trees with lights can significantly enhance your summer patio or Christmas display. Your family and onlookers will likely be impressed by the stunning visuals.
We bet that you will thoroughly enjoy the process of installing lights on your trees. It's a little bit challenging but immensely enjoyable!
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