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How to Hang Christmas Lights on Outdoor Trees Without Hurting Them
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What the sources say
| Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Which branches? | Choose branches at least an inch in diameter. Young branches have more delicate bark and can break easily. | Davey Tree arborist (News 12) |
| Evergreens (conifers)? | They are easier to light. The lights can be gently secured with electrical tape and do not have to be wrapped around the branches. | Davey Tree arborist (News 12) |
| Trees that lose their leaves? | The article suggests lighted ornaments as a lower-risk alternative to wrapping branches. | Davey Tree arborist (News 12) |
| What can go wrong? | Minor nicks and breaks in bark can be a gateway to rot and other issues. | Davey Tree arborist (News 12) |
| When must they come off? | Before spring. Tree trunks expand when new growth begins, so take the lights off first. | Davey Tree arborist (News 12) |
| What about ties and wires? | Every wire, strap, zip tie, cable or rope left on a stem or branch will eventually girdle the tree. It might take 2 years or 20 years. The same goes for ties that hold Christmas lights. | NDSU Tree Information Center |
Sources: News 12 Long Island (with Davey Tree) and the North Dakota State University Tree Information Center. Girdling means the tie cuts into and chokes the trunk or branch.
Our plan
- Decide what kind of tree you have. An evergreen takes lights more easily than a tree that loses its leaves (Davey Tree via News 12).
- Test every strand on the ground before you carry it to the tree (our advice; Bob Vila says the same for string lights). Use outdoor-rated lights and a GFCI-protected outlet. See safety.
- Drape on evergreens. Use a little electrical tape to hold the strand, as the arborist describes, rather than wrapping every branch.
- On other trees, use thick branches only, or hang lighted ornaments instead.
- Do not use anything that cannot come off. Skip permanent ties and wire (NDSU). Plan how you will remove each piece.
- Note the date you will take them down. Put it on your calendar now, before spring growth. See taking down and storing lights.
What we could not source
- How many wraps per branch, or how many lights per tree. Our calculator uses a retailer's trunk-wrap method for trunks. Use it as a rough count only.
- How tall a tree is too tall to light yourself. A tall tree means a tall ladder, so read the ladder rules and consider hiring a pro. For a valuable or very large tree you could ask a certified arborist (our suggestion).
Need lights?
Pick outdoor-rated LED strings. Check the box for the wattage and for how many strands you can connect end to end.
Browse LED light stringsCount what you need firstCommon questions
Can Christmas lights hurt a tree?
They can. A Davey Tree arborist says minor nicks and breaks in the bark can be a gateway to rot, and North Dakota State University says any tie or wire left on a tree will eventually girdle it.
When should I take Christmas lights off outdoor trees?
Before spring. A Davey Tree arborist says trunks expand when new growth begins. We found no source with an exact date.
Can I wrap lights around an evergreen?
The arborist says conifers are easier because the lights can be gently secured with electrical tape and do not have to be wrapped around the branches.