How to Decorate Trees with Rope Lights

Light up your trees year-round

Rope lights produce extraordinary decorating options for landscaping around homes. Opt to display lights that stay on continually, or use chasing lights to create interesting light displays. Wrapping a tree with chasing lights gives a dramatic flow of lights. An external control box allows you to program the lights to stay on, blink or to seemingly chase one another. Select a color and decorate your trees with a fabulous display of light.

Things You'll Need

• Extension cord
• Kite string
• Ruler
• Staples
• Hammer
• Plastic ties

Instructions

1. Stretch an outdoor extension cord from the outlet to the base of the tree. Examine the cord for flaws before attaching to the outlet.

2. Measure the tree to determine the length of rope light needed. Use a kite string or other sturdy string and wrap the string around the tree starting at the bottom. Continue wrapping until the desired ending spot. Unwind the string and measure the length with a ruler.

3. Wrap a large tree trunk with a multi-rope light. Multi-rope lights consist of three, four or five strings of lights encased in single plastic tubing. Attach the light plug to the extension cord and wrap the lights around the tree trunk. Secure the lights with large staples that can be hammered into the trunk.

4. Wrap small branches or bushes with two-rope strings contained inside a single tube. Two-rope strings offer more flexibility for wrapping smaller diameter objects. Attach the cord to branches with plastic ties.

Tips & Warnings

• Rope lights can be purchased custom-cut or on a spool.

• Kits are available to make adaptations in the length of the rope. Instructions are included with the kit.

References

• LED Rope Lights and More: Rope Lights
• Christmas Light Source: Decorating Your Garden with Lights