WARNING: Never Hang Christmas Lights This Way (It Kills Your Trees)
Every year, millions of homeowners decorate their property with twinkling Christmas lights, wrapping them around their favorite outdoor trees. It’s a beautiful tradition, but here is a simple truth: if you use the wrong method, you could be slowly killing the tree you love. The most common mistake people make is tightly wrapping the light strings directly around the branches and trunk. This seemingly harmless act chokes the tree, damages its bark, and prevents essential nutrients and water from moving. Before you put up another strand of lights this holiday season, learn the three main risks and the easy, safe way to keep your trees healthy and sparkling.
The Hidden Dangers of Tight Wrapping
When you wrap Christmas lights too tightly, you stop the tree from doing what it needs to survive. Trees rely on a thin layer just beneath the bark, called the cambium layer, to transport food and water up and down the trunk. Damage to this layer is serious.
- Girdling: As the tree grows thicker, the tightly wrapped wire acts like a rope, digging into the bark. This is called girdling. It cuts off the flow of nutrients and water, eventually starving the tree.
- Bark Damage: Pulling the strings tight can scrape or rub away the outer bark, creating open wounds. These wounds are easy entry points for pests, insects, and fungal diseases that can kill the tree over time.
- Heat Damage: Traditional incandescent bulbs get hot. When placed directly against the bark, this heat can scorch the delicate living tissue underneath, especially where strings overlap. Even LED lights, if wrapped too tightly, can cause growth problems.
The Safe Way to Hang Outdoor Lights
The goal is to light the tree without touching or restricting its growing parts. Experts agree that the “drape” method is the safest for trees of all ages and sizes.
- Use the Branch Tips: Instead of wrapping the trunk and branches, focus on draping the light strings over the outside of the foliage (the leaves or needles) or laying them gently along the top of the branches.
- Avoid Thin Wires: Do not use thin wires or staples to attach the lights. Use plastic clips or soft tree-safe ties that give the tree room to expand and move in the wind.
- Leave Slack: When hanging, always leave extra slack in the wires. You should be able to easily pull the wire away from the branch without resistance. This ensures that as the branch grows or moves in the wind, it won’t be choked by the lights.
- Remove Them Quickly: The longer the lights stay up, the greater the chance of damage. Take your lights down as soon as the holiday season ends (ideally before late spring growth starts).
Protecting your trees is simple, and it ensures that you can enjoy their beauty, and the beauty of your holiday lights for many seasons to come.
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