How to String Lights to a Garden Tree | What You Need to Know

Garden trees make great additions to any garden, which is probably why so many people have them.

As great as they are in their own right though, they can be made even better with string lights. So, with that in mind, how do you add string lights to an outdoor tree?

Let’s take a look.

Note: If you’re lucky enough to also have a pool in your garden, we’ve also got a guide showing how to install pool string lights too!

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What You’ll Need

• Ladder
• Outdoor-rated extension cord
• Outdoor LED string lights
• Plant tape or zip/cable ties

How to Hang String Lights in a Garden Tree (Step-by-Step)

Choose the Trees for Lighting 

If you’ve only got one tree in your garden, this one’s a bit of a no-brainer. Equally, if you’ve only got a few trees and you’re looking to add string lights to each and every one, skip this step.

If you have the choice however, we recommend looking for trees around the perimeter of your backyard, not in the centre. The reasoning is that when it does get dark, all you’d see is a well-lit tree in the middle of your garden, and then nothing around the outer edges.

As well, lights around the outer edges of your garden will naturally act as ambient light for the rest of your garden – that is, you’ll have a nice, soft light diffusing throughout the garden.

Added points if these trees are quite grand and have a lot of branches – there’s nothing worse than a boring, skinny tree with string lights only wrapped around it’s trunk!

Test your String Lights Work 

Test each set of string lights you’re planning to use by plugging them in and making sure all the individual bulbs are working.

While you don’t have to do this, it’s strongly advised. It’s going to be no-one else’s fault but yours if you hang all your lights up only to then plug them in and find out some of the bulbs don’t work.

Position Your Extension Cord(s)

The next thing to do is to get your extension cords plugged in and ready to go.

Work out where you are going to position them, bearing in mind you (preferably) won’t want them to be seen.

The beauty of lighting up trees around the edge of your garden is that you’ll usually have other plants or decorative features you can use to hide the extension cords.

Another idea we like to do is to tape the extension cord to the back of the tree’s base, so that it is out of view but securely fastened to the tree at the same time.

Wrap the Tree with Your Lights!

Now the fun begins! Start wrapping your string light around the tree’s trunk, starting at the base and moving up with each complete wind.

Remember to keep the distance between ach wind fairly consistent. Not perfect, but not all over the place either.

Once you’ve done the trunk, start ‘coating’ the branches. This bit doesn’t have to be anywhere near as neat as the trunk – the branches aren’t neat, so why would your string lights be?

When you’re doing the branches, you have two options – 1) work from the trunk out to the end of the branch and back again, or 2) work from the trunk out to the end of the branch, then go straight up to the next branch/set of branches.

Either works, so feel free to experiment and see what looks best!

Secure the String Throughout

Once your string light has been fully hung up, you should work your way periodically throughout the branches and apply some plant tape to secure the wire to the branch.

You won’t have to apply much tape here, but just make sure you use enough to secure the string lights to the tree, so that even if you experience heavy winds your string lights will stay securely attached.

You can also use cable ties/zip ties for this if you don’t have plant tape to hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does It Matter What Kind of Tree I Have?

No, the type of tree you have in your garden won’t affect if you can hang string lights in them or not.

There are things to consider though – preferably you want a larger tree with multiple branches, not a super skinny tree with only a few small branches on it.

Why LED String Lights?

You’ll notice we specified LED string lights in our guide. This is because we think they are the best kind of outdoor string lights to use.

LED bulbs are much more energy efficient than traditional light bulbs, and the same goes for LED string lights.

As well, they last many times longer, meaning less maintenance on your part. Who wouldn’t want that?!

What Color String Lights Should I Go For?

When thinking about the color temperature of your outdoor string lights, there are really three choices – a warm light, a cooler light, and a multi-colored option.

We wouldn’t recommend cool light, as this is very much a whiter light giving off a more clinical look, which is not what you want in a relaxed garden atmosphere.

Warm light string lights provide a relaxing warm glow, much like you’d get from traditional incandescent light bulbs. These are our favourites.

Alternatively, you can get string lights with the option of providing a variety of colors, allowing you to choose whichever color suits the moment, or allowing them to cycle through various colors on repeat.

Really – it’s up to you!

Related Posts

• How to Clean Outdoor String Lights
• How to Light Up a Tree in the Garden
• Porch Lighting Ideas: Everything You Need to Know

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