Setting up a Real Christmas Tree
Picture this: the holidays are fast approaching, and you’ve just found the perfect real Christmas tree (from us, of course). Whether by self-handling or delivery, you manage to get it home from the Christmas tree farm and (hopefully) through the front door. You’ve been putting off learning how to set up a real Christmas tree, but you figure it’ll be fine.
You spend forty-five minutes setting it up in the stand, take a step back and–
Wait.
Is your carefully-selected and hard-earned Christmas tree…crooked?!
It’s a potential pitfall with any real Christmas Tree during the festive season. For all the clean, crisp smells and the happy memories it creates, a tree can sometimes be tainted by the experience of setting it up.
Having set up thousands of real trees in a range of sizes across Melbourne, we understand this better than anyone. That’s why we’re here to help! With our setup tips, you can rest assured that you can get your tree straight every time, without the hassle.
4 Tips On How to Set a Christmas Tree Up
Tip #1: Choosing Your Christmas Tree Stand
For us, there’s nothing worse than a cheap Christmas tree stand. The plastic is weak, the water reservoir is small, and you need a perfectly cut tree to make it work (and no tree is that perfect, sorry). This will only end in grunts and groans, taking the fun out of buying a Real Christmas tree.
That’s why we recommend that you opt for a high-quality Christmas tree stand–one you’ll get your use out of for years to come.
Cinco, for instance, has done such an amazing job with their stands that almost every reputable tree farm in Melbourne & Brisbane has adopted them. Not only do they make setup a breeze, but they won't break the bank with their pricing, which ranges between $60-80 depending on the size you are after. And they will last you 20 years!
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!
We hope this saves you some hassle this year when you buy your Real Christmas Tree. If that doesn’t sound easy enough, come purchase one of our Real Christmas Trees and we will help you install it.
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!
