Holidays & Entertaining Christmas Outdoor Christmas Decor How to Hang Lights on Tall Outdoor Trees Hang string lights on the trees in your yard this holiday season to add sparkle to dark winter weather. By Timothy Dale Published on December 9, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Getty Images / UWMadison Project Overview Working Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 1 hour Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $50 Decorating the home's exterior with holiday lighting is a yearly tradition. The festive lights help brighten dark, winter weather and mark the beginning of the holiday season. While the roofline is a popular location for string lights, you can also light up the yard by installing lights on outdoor trees. However, hanging lights on tall trees can be difficult for homeowners who haven’t previously attempted this project. Before starting, check the length of the extension cord to confirm it will reach the target tree and has GFCI protection for safety. Examine how the tree looks from the road to determine how much is visible and to decide where to start wrapping the string lights. Depending on the height of the tree, you will likely need to climb a ladder to complete the job. Use this guide to learn how to stay safe while hanging lights on tall outdoor trees. The 17 Best Christmas Lights for Festive Illumination of 2023 Safety Considerations Working outdoors comes with some risks that are important to consider before starting this job. The weather can impede progress and make it difficult to use a ladder safely, so select a clear day with no rain or snow in the forecast and with almost no wind to lower the chance of the ladder being blown over. Since the lights will be outdoors, check the extension cord to ensure it has GFCI protection. Also, the connection between the extension cord and the string lights should be high enough off the ground that it won’t sit in water or a pile of snow. Hanging lights on tall trees requires an extension ladder. Make sure the ladder is evenly supported at both the top and the bottom and angled at about 75 degrees to provide optimal support and balance for the user. A second person to hold the ladder while it’s in use is an excellent idea. The 9 Best Ladders for Painting, Home Improvement, and Outdoor Use, According to Our Tests What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Ladder Tape measure Outdoor extension cord Outdoor string lights Materials Cardboard Twine or plant tape Instructions How to Hang Lights on Tall Outdoor Trees Set Up the Ladder Position a full-size ladder or extension ladder at a 75-degree angle with the top and bottom evenly supported. Have a second person hold the ladder while you work. Test the extension cord and string lights before starting the job, and then wrap the lights around a flat piece of cardboard so they can be carried and unraveled safely during the installation. Measure the Tree Measuring the tree is an effective way to determine how many sets of string lights are needed to decorate the tree. You can estimate the size of the tree and purchase lights based on your estimate, but it’s more accurate to measure the circumference and the height of the tree with a measuring tape. Typically, the lights are spaced about 2 to 3 feet apart. Decide how far apart the string lights should be, and then divide the height of the tree by this distance. Take the result of this calculation and multiply it by the circumference to find out how many feet of lighting you need. Run the Extension Cord Wrap the extension cord several times around the base of the tree trunk so the connection between the extension cord and the string lights is a few feet off the ground. Wrap the Tree with Outdoor String Lights Ideally, the string lights start at the lowest visible point on the tree. However, if the entire base of the tree trunk is visible, start the string lights a few feet higher so that the electrical connection remains off the ground. Wrap the lights around the tree trunk, gradually moving upward. Frequently check the distance between the string lights to ensure even spacing while you work. After wrapping the tree trunk, move on to the branches of the tree. This part of the job takes some time. Position the ladder, climb up, wrap some of the lights, climb down, reposition the ladder, climb back up, wrap some more of the lights in a new section of the tree, and repeat this process until the job is complete. For a deciduous tree, wrap the string lights around larger branches in a similar way as the trunk, running the string lights up and back down each bulky branch. The lights can be looped around smaller branches to decorate the upper part of the tree. For a coniferous tree, wrap the string lights around the entire exterior of the tree, similar to how a Christmas tree is decorated. Don’t bury the string lights too deep in the needles of the tree, or they may not be visible from the road. Secure the Outdoor String Lights After the string lights are wrapped around the tree, use natural twine, planting tape, or plastic zip ties to secure the lights. This prevents the lights from shifting in heavy winds or being pulled off the tree during severe snow or ice storms. Make sure to cut off any zip ties or other fasteners when removing the lights. Otherwise, the fasteners could damage the tree by restricting its growth. When to Call a Professional Not everyone has the appropriate tools, skills, or experience to handle this project. Sometimes, the target tree is too tall or bulky for homeowners to handle the installation on their own. In this case, it’s a good idea to call a professional light installation company. Professionals who specialize in hanging outdoor lights have a significant amount of experience working on ladders, wrapping string lights, running extension cords, and designing attractive holiday displays to help the home stand out during the holiday season. Don’t hesitate to hire a pro if the job is too challenging or time-consuming for you to handle.