How To Put Lights On A Tree Outdoors

Let’s just agree that any decoration is incomplete without lights!

As I spent more and more time in my yard gardening, I developed a keen interest in decorating it for occasions and get-togethers. With my husband taking care of outdoor furniture and other fixtures, I spent hours researching how lights can be used for the purpose and started implementing the techniques both indoors and outdoors.

So, when my neighbor Angie planned a surprise backyard party for her son, I wasted no time in taking over the lighting. And not to brag, but everyone loved the outcome!

That’s when I thought that it’d be a good idea to help out my readers who might be looking to light up the yard or garden. Hi! I’m Stacy. And today, I’ve curated this guide on how to put lights on a tree outdoors.

Let’s begin, then!

What Type Of Light Should I Use Outdoors?

Most people prefer decorating their trees with string lights, so you will find a wide variety of them on the market.

Irrespective of the design, I’d strongly suggest going for LED bulbs, as they are almost 75% more efficient than their incandescent counterparts. Moreover, they have a long service life and don’t burn a hole in your pocket.

I usually alternate between warm white, cool white, and multi-colored light strings. While the warm white lights provide a welcoming, warm glow like incandescent lights, the cool tone emits a bluish glow to jazz up the ambiance. Similarly, colored lights (multi-color or one color) are a fit for decorating during the holidays.

On that note, let’s take a look at the things you’d need and the various steps for illuminating your outdoor trees.

Tools/Materials Required

• Outdoor light strands
• Outdoor-rated extension cord
• Ladder
• Cardboard (optional)
• Twine/plant tape (optional)

Step 1

The first step is to select the tree (or trees) that you’d like to light up. I’d advise choosing the ones that create a natural focal point in the yard. Look out for their distinct structures and elongated branches.

Don’t leave out a tree just because it doesn’t have a uniform shape; these are the ones that will grab eyeballs when decorated with twinkling lights in the dark.

While there’s no harm in going for taller or wider trees, the thing to remember is that they will require more lights. So, make sure you have enough of them to cover the desired trees.

Step 2

Another important pre-decoration step is to check that all the lights are working properly. Plug in each strand to ensure that all the bulbs are functional. After all, the last thing you’d want is to put in all the effort only to find that some of the bulbs are non-functional. So, now is the time to identify and fix or replace them, as required.

If you aren’t planning to put on the lights immediately after testing, connect the strings by plugging them end to end and wind the resultant long strand around a piece of cardboard. This will save you from the hassle of dealing with tangled strings later.

Step 3

From the curb on the street or a window in the house, identify the “visible spots” on the bases of the chosen trees. Grass, rocks, or other such things may obstruct the bottom of the trunks, so you might have to get rid of them.

Once done, place one end of the light string cord at that point. I prefer wrapping it around the base for securing it in place. Plug the first strand into the extension cord and plug the cord into an outdoor power outlet. Switch on the outlet to see if the illumination pattern is good enough.

Ensure that the extension cord is rated for outdoor use. I’d strongly recommend getting one with a GFCI (ground-fault-circuit-interrupter) protection to prevent shock hazards if it gets wet.

Step 4

Once the base is secured, start wrapping the remaining strand around the bark, moving upwards with each winding. Depending on the desired pattern and the number of available lights, you can wrap it compactly or wide apart. In case of the latter, keep a distance of about four fingers between two ‘wraps.’ Try to keep the spacing as uniform as possible for the best results.

Step 5

Upon reaching the limbs or the larger branches, make sure you have several extra feet of the string. I’d suggest spacing the wraps about eight fingers (two hands) apart. For the end of the limb, reverse the direction and start winding the string downwards, winding between the upward wraps. This will fill the space that was created while wrapping the branches upwards.

Use either a freestanding ladder (for relatively low heights) or a telescoping one (for high areas). The standard ladder safety procedure is to make sure that it’s well supported at the top and bottom, angling at about 75 degrees (15 degrees from the vertical).

If you need to climb more than 6 feet high, ask someone to hold the base of the ladder and check the lights from the ground. This will help you determine if the wrapping is correct. Never climb a tree to wrap the lights.

Step 6

The last step in the process is to secure the leftover end of the light string, as needed. Simply tuck the end into any nearby crook of branches to prevent it from coming loose. Alternatively, you can tie it to the tree with natural twines or planting tapes. Don’t use metal wire or pin the strings with nails as they may cut through the string, causing a shock or fire hazard.

Summing It Up