One of the best ways to complete a flawlessly themed Christmas display is with lights strung evenly among the trees from the trunk to the tip of the branches. Is there anything that completes the magic of a Christmas display so much as the lights? They bring the bright colors of Christmas decor to life and create a warm, lambent glow that lights the heart as much as it lights the scene. One of the most popular ways to decorate trees is through a process called wrapping, informally as a “tree wrap.” But, there are all different species of trees and a few other considerations you should take. Follow this short guide to make sure your commercial Christmas light display really lights up - figuratively and literally.
Different Types of Tree Wraps
Before you wrap a tree, it’s helpful to understand that there are different types of tree wraps, and different ways you can wrap a tree. Some decorators wrap the trunks of trees. This is a particularly common holiday decorator’s tactic with large, deciduous trees that have bare trunks with relatively few branches near the ground, like sycamores, maples, and oaks, as well as palm trees. This is called a trunk wrap.
You could choose a partial branch wrap, which refers to the practice of wrapping the trunk and then one to two feet of the larger branches, where they break away from the trunk. This is also common on larger, deciduous trees.
Last, you can choose a full branch wrap, which is when you wrap the trunk and all the branches, all the way out to the tips.
Additionally, for some trees that have leafy canopies, you can also perform a “canopy wrap” which involves wrapping the canopy of the tree, to create an aesthetically pleasing lighted silhouette.
Supplies and Tools Needed to Create a Magical Wrap Display
In order to complete a tree wrapping project, you’ll need the following:
- Commercial Christmas Lights: We carry a wide range of LED lights, but for tree wraps, we recommend 5mm LED Christmas string lights. We carry these mini lights here in a variety of colors, with both green and white wire.
- Quick-connect M/F plugs (for large trees): Plugs like these are designed to connect with C7 or C9 socket cords, allowing you to customize the socket and extension size, which is essential when working with trees of various sizes.
- Easy-to-Cut Lamp Cord: These easy-to-cut cords are perfect for making custom-length extension cords; simply attach inline plugs along the cord at the desired place.
- Staple gun: Preferably with ½” T25 or T50 staples, for securing the lights/cords to the trunk, ground, post, etc.
- Ladders, if necessary
- For large trees, lift equipment
- Extension cords, depending on the size of the overall display
Tips for Christmas Tree Wrap Installation
Pre-Installation Tips
The most important pre-installation tip we have is that you should not string more lights together end to end than the recommended maximum number. Stringing too many lights together end to end (even commercial LEDs, which are energy-efficient and don’t produce a lot of heat) can overload the circuit. So use the recommended amount, at most! (This can be tricky on a large tree but there’s an easy fix, see below.) Best practice for routing the lights to the tree is to use a standard outdoor rated extension cord to provide power to the tree. Use a color that works with the surroundings and doesn’t create too much contrast, and remember, the smaller the gauge, the thicker the wire.
Starting to Wrap the Tree with Christmas Lights
Begin at the base of the tree and wrap upwards, spiraling around the trunk. A good rule of thumb that will look good (and symmetrical!) is to space the spiral wraps out by about 4”, which can be measured with four fingers. Very large trees may require more than the maximum recommended number of strands, connected end to end. If that happens, pre-wire the tree with lamp cord and quick-connect plugs. To do so, ensure you are working with a strand that is disconnected from a power source, and attach a male cord to some lamp cord. With it still unplugged, staple the cord to the base of the tree. Attach a female plug a few inches above the male plug, run the lamp cord up the tree, cut the cord at the desired length, and attach a female plug at the end and at the base of each branch. Plug the first light into the bottom female plug and staple it into the tree, then wrap the tree evenly with light strands. At light set connections, plug in the next set to the previous one, twist the male and female ends together to prevent them from being pulled apart, or use twist ties. Once the trunk and branches are wrapped up to the desired height, staple or zip-tie the end to the tree.
Lighting Multiple Trees and Other Considerations
When lighting multiple trees, there are a few things to keep in mind. One thing that will help you create a beautiful, stunning aesthetic is to wrap your trees in the same direction - that will prevent a messy, haphazard look. Also, for uniformity and aesthetic purposes, wrap your trees in the same manner and to the same height. It’s also helpful to keep in mind that some trees are more difficult to wrap than others. Crepe myrtles, for instance, which are commonly grown as ornamentals around the country, usually have multiple branches sprouting from a trunk low to the ground. These should be wrapped individually. Palm trees also present unique challenges, due to their shape. The trunk is simple enough, just spiral the lights up it, and once you reach the fronds, use a full-frond wrap. Run the lights directly down the stem and secure them with zip ties. For trees with smooth bark (which makes it difficult to keep the lights in place) like birch and beech trees, use more staples or zip ties. For larger trees, consider working with a helper on the other side of the tree. Pass the lights back and forth to each other to make the process easier and more efficient!
Decorator’s Warehouse: Your One-Stop Shop for Commercial Christmas Lights and Decor
Regardless of how you envision your commercial Christmas light display and tree wraps, be sure to personalize it according to your tastes, and make sure to properly secure your lights or hire a professional installer. We’d love to help make your Christmas vision become a reality! Make sure to visit] our DW Pro Lights team in our store or peruse our collections of Christmas decor online for inspiration, or contact us directly - we’d love for you to have the best Christmas season ever!