Is there any way to put lights on a tree you are fond of without doing it harm? You may be at a loss as to how tight the wrapping should be or if leaving them up for the whole season is advisable.
You would be wise to pose such questions. We have been tending to trees in Peoria and the Northwest Valley since 2018 here at Veteran Family Tree Service, so we know what can go awry with holiday decorating. Our ISA Certified Arborists have an intimate knowledge of trees and are more than willing to put in some help. Give us a ring at (602) 483-6197.
There is nothing quite like a well lit tree to mark the season in Arizona. Yet they are living things and your approach to decorating is of consequence. With due care you will be able to have a healthy yard and lighted trees for years.
Why Your Tree Could Suffer from Holiday Lights
It is not uncommon for a person to overlook that his or her decorations are being hard on a tree. One does not see the damage until the weather turns warm again.
Trouble comes about in several typical fashions:
- A cord wrapped with too much tension on the trunk or branch to stifle its growth
- The tree girdling itself by growing over wires left in place
- Nails, screws or staples put through the bark to secure a strand
- Smaller branches straining or breaking under the weight of the lights
- Limbs broken in the course of climbing to put up the decorations
- Tearing at the bark when one pulls hard on a cord during takedown
For the most part this is irreparable. An open wound in the bark is an invitation to disease and insects and a girdled branch is done for. But with an eye for these things, they are all easily sidestepped.
Make Sure You Have the Right Lights
Before you get on a ladder, select some that can stand up to an Arizona outdoors and are gentle on the tree.
When making your purchase:
- Go with LED to keep heat stress off buds and bark
- See to it the strands are for outdoor use
- Thin or young branches call for something of a lighter weight
- Do not put large bulbs on an ornamental of a delicate nature
- Look over the cords for any fraying or cracks
Wrapping the Tree in a Manner That Is Safe
Your technique is what counts; you want to put the lights on but not put a squeeze on the tree.
Do it this way:
- Work in a loose spiral from the trunk base upward
- Be sure there is slack in the loop, no biting into the bark
- A gentle wrap around the branch is better than a tight one
- Put in a plastic clip or soft tie, not wire or a nail
- Refrain from re-wrapping the same area where moisture could be held
- Connections should be kept clear of the ground, rain and irrigation
A tree does not have to be covered inch by inch to be attractive. In fact a less heavy hand is safer and often looks better.
Takedown and the Season
The length of time the lights are up is as important as putting them on. In the Valley you have species that grow fast and can be around a cord in a matter of months.
Be prudent:
- Remove them in a couple of months, do not make it permanent
- Unwrap with care, not in a way that strips the bark
- If a strand is stuck, free it, do not yank it
- After you are done, check for any marks on the branches
- Get back to watering and normal care
An Arborist Can Help
There are trees that are too tall or tangled to be safe for you to handle alone. Or you may find after the holidays that there is stress on the tree, broken limbs or deep marks from a cord. Let a professional have a look at it.
We are a veteran-owned firm and take pride in serving the homeowner or business in all of the Northwest Valley, from Sun City to Glendale, Phoenix, Mesa, Surprise and Peoria. Our team adheres to ANSI Z133 standards and has well over ten years of experience to ensure your family and your trees are in good hands. We extend a 10% discount to those in the military and veterans and are on hand 24/7.
Call Veteran Family Tree Service at (602) 483-6197 for some expert assistance with your trees, come what season.