How to stand up a real Christmas tree, straight
Updated By Jeremy Monaghan, Elf in ChiefTo stand a real Christmas tree straight: wind the bolts all the way out, sit the trunk as close to the centre of the stand as it will go, have someone hold the tree upright while you wind each bolt in until it just touches the trunk, then tighten them a few turns at a time, evenly, all the way around. Do it in that order and the tree goes up straight the first time.
We have set up thousands of trees, and almost every leaning tree we see comes from tightening one bolt all the way before the others have made contact.
4 Tips On How to Set a Christmas Tree Up
Tip #1: Choosing Your Christmas Tree Stand
A cheap stand is a false economy. The plastic flexes, the reservoir is too small to matter, and it only works if your trunk happens to be perfectly straight, which no trunk is.
Look for three things:
- A reservoir holding at least 2 to 3 litres, so you are not topping it up four times a day.
- Bolts that bite into the trunk rather than skidding off it.
- A base wide enough that a knock does not tip the tree.
The TreeMate we deliver alongside our trees is Australian-made and holds 9 litres, which covers a fresh tree’s first thirsty day without a refill. Whatever you choose, a good stand outlasts the tree by two decades, so it is worth buying once.
Tip #2: Centering Your Tree
Now, it’s time to make sure that your tree is centered properly. After all, the last thing you want is a crooked tree trunk!
To ensure that you make plenty of room to fit the trunk in the stand, it is important that you have the bolts screwed all the way out. Most stands have spikes in the centre of the stand which hold the tree steady–these are your aiming point.
With your stand flat on the ground, place the stump of your tree as close to the middle of the stand as you can get.
Now, get someone to hold the tree while you stand back and inspect how straight you got it!
Pro tip: the stump might not be perfectly in the centre of the tree as nature is not that kind, so ensuring your stand is centred to the weight of your tree is key, even if the stump is not perfectly in the centre of the stand!
If you want to save yourself a little pain in the long run, here’s an important step: If your live Christmas tree is not close to the centre, get a friend to hold the stand whilst you re-position and straighten the tree before continuing, this will save you a lot of pain in the following steps!
Hopefully by now, you have a straight tree and you’re ready to move on! Getting this step right will give you the best shot at avoiding the disappointment of your tree falling over.
Tip #3: Have a friend to hold Real Christmas Tree
Now that you have your Christmas tree straight to start with, get a helper to hold the tree as you do the next steps. You can now screw in the bolts from each side until they are touching the trunk.
Pro Tip: do not tighten the screws just yet or you will cause your tree to lean!
While your helper holds the tree straight, inspect it from all visible angles to confirm that it is perfectly straight and to your liking! What’s important now is that you keep the trunk as still as secure as possible, because we’re about to get to the next step.
Tip #4: Fully Tighten the Bolts
Now, it’s time to completely tighten the bolts on your Christmas tree stand.
In order to make sure that the tree stays straight, it is important that you apply even pressure to each side of the trunk. To do so, try to screw the bolts in relatively evenly by screwing in each a few turns at a time.
Pro tip: if you tree is on a slight lean, you can tighten the bolt on that side (and potentially loosen the opposite), and your tree will magically come back into line.
Then, apply a final round of screwing in each bolt to ensure things are super tight, and you’re done! You should now have a perfectly straight live Christmas tree–one that you took a little extra care with during setups, and with much fewer headaches!
If you would rather not do any of this, our elves will stand it up for you when we deliver. Add assisted set-up when you order your real Christmas tree.
FAQs for Christmas Tree Easy Setup
How do I prepare the tree for setting up?
Once you bring the tree home, cut off about a centimetre from the bottom of the trunk to help the tree absorb water more effectively. Place the tree in a bucket of water if you’re not setting it up right away. Make sure the cut is straight so the tree can stand securely in its stand.
How do I secure the tree in the stand?
Place the tree in the stand immediately after making the fresh cut on the trunk. Centre the tree in the stand, then tighten the screws or clamps to hold it in place. Ensure that the tree is straight by adjusting it as needed before fully tightening the stand.
How do I decorate my Christmas tree safely?
Use low-heat, energy-efficient LED lights to reduce the risk of overheating the tree. Ensure that your lights are in good condition, without frayed wires or broken bulbs. When hanging ornaments, distribute the weight evenly to keep the tree balanced.
What should I do with my real Christmas tree after the holidays?
If you got your tree from us, we will pick up your tree ourselves for our recycling program. Alternatively, you can cut the tree into smaller pieces and place it in your yard bin if allowed in your area.
When should I shape my real Christmas tree?
The best time to shape your real Christmas tree is right before you bring it indoors for decoration. Ideally, do any necessary trimming or shaping after you've inspected the tree for insects and shaken off any loose needles or pests. Shaping your tree beforehand allows you to remove any unwanted branches or uneven growth, ensuring it looks its best once decorated. Be sure to use sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts, and avoid over-trimming so you maintain the tree's natural fullness and shape. Check out our article on real Christmas tree shaping for more details!
