How to Wrap Christmas lights by EZSALESLIGHTING

Useful tips before wrapping Christmas lights on trees.

1. Always try to start your work from same side of trees (example: when doing a multiple trees start your wrapping from the base of the tree on the south side facing north do this for every tree this creates a uniform look from one tree to the next.)

    

2. Study the tree before you begin wrapping this only takes a few minutes but is worth it, pick branches that are spaced evenly apart avoid too short branches or doing all branches on one side making it look lopsided think of it like the hours on a clock If you are wrapping only 2 branches do hours12/6 then go up and in height and do hours 3/9 , if you are wrapping 3 branches do hours 12/4/8 then do next tier at hours 10/2/6 . After a few trees you will be a professional and it will happen naturally.

    

3. Wrap from the base up in one direction we use counter clockwise again this helps keep the lights looking uniform , we do a lot of commercial installs so it is important for our work to look professional during the day as well.

    

4. Tie off the beginning of your strand (overhand knot) at the base to create a “strain relief” leave a 12” lead with male plug this is optional but we recommend it because this prevents the wrapping above from unwinding or sliding back down the trunk should someone unplug it from the extension cord.

    

5. Use consistent spacing for similar sized trunks , For a small 6” diameter tree we suggest a tighter spacing like four finger spacing (4”) , yet on something larger like a 12”+ diameter tree we suggest a vertical hand spacing (8”). Tip: Large trees can use up a 25strand quickly if too tightly spaced.

    

   TIP: keep slight tension on strand when wrapping trunks to prevent strands from slipping downward like a stretched out sock also if not tied of at base it is hard to apply tension on strand when wrapping.

6. If you are working in an area with high foot traffic or are worried about people unplugging the connected strands or coming apart you can make a “figure 8” this is optional and only necessary to prevent unplugging or loose fitting plugs . We only do this on the Trunks as they can prove a little difficult when removing .

     

     

7. If possible try to get plugs as close to the main trunk and crotch of branches. This will leave you a power source that you can tap into prevent too much overlapping of zones/tiers as you are selecting which branches to wrap : Tip: You want to avoid overlapping strands as much as possible this will speed up you removal time too as it will take less moving of the ladder and you can work multiple strands/branches at same time with your ladder in same position.

    

8. The Goal is to wrap or “Run Out” your strand so that the Female plug ends as close to end of branch as possible and use twist tie to secure to the branch or make a loose overhand knot. Tip: avoid “Back Wrapping”(wrap back over area already wrapped)

9. When wrapping small trees and branches you will have no choice but to back-wrap in many cases . Branches 1” and smaller in circumference look the same at night if you wrap many revolutions around branch as it will if you do a loose spiral yet a loose spiral is much easier and quicker to perform (insert pics here)

10. Think of each section of the tree as a zone/ and avoid overlapping zones with other zones when possible. The zones will have a different structure depending on size of tree . (insert pics here)

     

For a large tree Zone 1 is usually the main trunk from base to top of tree

zone 2 through 20 will be each large branch coming off the main trunk. (insert pics here)

For a smaller trees Zone 1 will start at bottom of tree and work upwards in tiers/zones (insert pics here) Again avoid overlapping zones when possible.

To prevent “Stack Strain“ (stack-able plugs become curved and can become unplugged due to strands pulling them in one direction or other ) tie a “Strain Relief “ before plugging in stacks