A beautifully lit outdoor tree can become one of the most impressive parts of a Christmas light display, but figuring out how many lights you need isn't always straightforward.
There isn't one perfect number. The amount of lighting required depends on the size of the tree, what parts of the tree you're wrapping and how dense you want the finished display to look.
Professional Christmas light installers typically plan tree lighting around the desired finished appearance rather than simply choosing a fixed number of lights based on tree height.
Here's what to consider.
Start With the Look You Want to Create
Before calculating how many lights you need, decide what the finished tree should look like.
A lightly illuminated tree with lights primarily around the trunk requires far fewer lights than a tree where the trunk and major branches are tightly wrapped.
Think of tree lighting in three general levels:
Light Coverage
Lights are spaced farther apart to create a simple accent rather than completely covering the tree.
Medium Coverage
The trunk and major branches receive consistent lighting, creating a fuller professional appearance.
Dense Coverage
Lights are wrapped more tightly and carried farther into the branches to create a dramatic display with a high concentration of light.
The denser the desired display, the more lights and installation time will be required.
Tree Height Isn't the Only Measurement That Matters
It's tempting to estimate lighting requirements based only on the height of the tree, but two trees of the same height can require dramatically different amounts of lighting.
A narrow evergreen and a mature deciduous tree may both stand 20 feet tall, but their shapes, trunk sizes and branch structures are completely different.
Consider:
- Tree height
- Trunk circumference
- Number and size of major branches
- How far into the canopy you plan to wrap
- Desired spacing between lights
- Desired lighting density
For professional installations, looking at the actual structure of the tree is usually more useful than relying on height alone.
How Many Lights Do You Need?
A useful way to estimate the project is to think in terms of the length of the surfaces being wrapped, rather than trying to assign a universal number of bulbs to a particular tree height.
For example, an installation that wraps only the lower trunk may require a relatively modest amount of lighting. Carrying those lights up the trunk and onto numerous branches can multiply the amount required very quickly.
Closer spacing between each wrap also dramatically increases the amount of lighting used.
For that reason, professional installers should measure or estimate the areas they intend to wrap and plan their light requirements based on the actual installation design.
It's also sensible to have additional lights available rather than planning an installation around the exact minimum estimate.
Should You Wrap the Trunk or the Branches Too?
Both approaches can create attractive displays.
Trunk wrapping provides a clean vertical element and can be an effective way to incorporate trees into a larger property display.
Extending lights onto major branches creates a much more dramatic result and highlights the natural structure of the tree.
For larger feature trees, professional installations may continue farther along individual branches to create the distinctive illuminated-tree appearance often seen in commercial properties and large residential displays.
The right approach depends on the tree, budget, installation time and overall design.
What Type of Christmas Lights Are Best for Trees?
Mini lights are a popular option for tree wrapping because their compact size allows installers to create a large number of individual points of light without the bulbs overwhelming the tree itself.
They work well on:
- Tree trunks
- Branches
- Shrubs
- Hedges
- Wreaths
- Garlands
- Other greenery
Mini lights can also complement larger C9 bulbs used elsewhere on the property.
For example, C9 Christmas lights can define the roofline while mini lights illuminate the landscaping, creating layers within the overall display.
Don't Forget Power and Installation Planning
The number of lights isn't the only consideration when planning a large tree installation.
Before installation, professional installers should consider the electrical requirements of the lighting products being used, available power sources, connections and how the lighting will be routed throughout the display.
Always follow the specifications and connection limits provided for the particular lighting products and electrical components being used.
This becomes increasingly important as displays grow larger and more lighting is added.
Plan for the Entire Property
Trees usually look best when they're considered as part of the overall Christmas lighting design rather than as isolated features.
A property might combine:
C9 roofline lighting to define the building.
Mini lights to illuminate trees and greenery.
Lawn stakes or other lighting elements to extend the display through landscaping.
Using different lighting styles for different areas creates visual depth and allows each part of the property to contribute to the finished display.
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Radiant-Xpress supplies professional Christmas lighting products and installation accessories for installers and contractors across Canada.