Setup tools and materials
Before starting to wrap your palm tree with Christmas lights, it is important to prepare the necessary tools and materials. You should collect a string of lights long enough to cover the whole tree—we recommend at least 2 or 3 strings of 100 lights for an average-sized palm tree. Make sure to remove any fronds from the tree, as these can get in the way of the light string. To assist the wrapping process, it can be helpful to have a stepladder and some large plastic clips to secure the lights tightly around the branches.
Test the lights
Before beginning, ensure that all the lights on your strings light up. First, plug them into an outdoor outlet and turn them on to test them. In case any of the lights are not working, replace them with a spare before wrapping the tree.
Begin wrapping the tree
Start at the top of the tree, at the topmost branch. Take the string of lights and secure it around the branch using plastic clips. Continue wrapping the lights around the trunk, keeping them tight but not too tight. Make sure to leave some space between each wrap as you spiral down the tree. For a more festive look, try wrapping the lights up and down the branches in a zig-zag pattern. The goal is to cover the tree in lights as evenly as possible.
Ensure the lights are secure
Once you have finished wrapping the tree, check for any spaces or gaps where the lights are not tightly wrapped. Use plastic clips to secure the lights in any areas that have loosened. Then turn them on to check whether the lights are illuminating evenly.
Caring for your lights
Once the lights are installed it is important to give them the care they need to stay in good condition. Make sure to turn the lights off at the end of each night, and check the wiring occasionally to ensure that it is not damaged or exposed. If you notice any damaged or exposed wires, contact a licensed electrician for help.
Lighting up the night
Wrapping your palm tree with Christmas lights is a festive and relatively easy task. As long as you have the correct tools, materials and safety precautions, you can create a magical holiday atmosphere with your own decorated palm tree.
Smart Lighting Apps
With the advent of smart phone apps and wifi enabled lighting systems, it is now easier than ever to create customized light displays on your palm tree. Apps such as Light Up, Lightify, and SmartMusic enable you to program a range of lighting effects and music to accompany your light display.
Safety Advice
When attaching any lights to a palm tree, practise safe methods by not overloading the power outlets with too many light strings. The guide number for each string should be the approximate number of bulbs from the power outlet that can be connected together. Never exceed this number or use damaged or incorrect lights.
Alternative Methods for lighting
An increasingly popular alternative for lighting palm trees is to use solar-powered lights. These are becoming increasingly common and are a safe, easy and sustainable way to light up your tree. The lights can also be moved around easily and often come with settings for different lighting levels, making them ideal for a range of festive occasions.
How to protect the lights
Christmas lights are delicate and can be easily damaged by wind, rain, snow and other environmental conditions. To protect the lights, it is best to use a waterproof light cloth or plastic wrap to wrap around the entire light string. This will protect the lights and help them to remain in good condition.
Best Time to Install Lights
Experts suggest that the best time to hang Christmas lights on a palm tree is just after Thanksgiving, when the fronds are still mostly green. This will ensure that the lights and decorations are well-protected from the winter weather and will remain bright and cheerful until after the Christmas season.
