Wondering what do you do if your artificial Christmas tree is too tall? Here are our best tips and tricks for dealing with this big holiday problem!
Bigger is better, right?
That might be the general philosophy, but when it comes to Christmas trees, there is a limit.
If you have standard 8 foot ceilings, that limit is eight feet.
Whether you received a hand-me-down tree from a larger space or just aren’t good at measuring (guilty here!), a too-big tree can be a big problem.
If you have a real tree, you can just saw it off and put it in the stand.
But what do you do about a too tall artificial tree?!
What do you do if your artificial Christmas tree is too tall?
If you have suddenly discovered that your faux tree is too tall for your space. First, lay it down flat and take a breather.
I know you’re sweating waving that tree around.
Let’s take a beat to make a plan before we move on!
Assessing the Situation
First, assess the situation. Measure the trees height – for real, including the stand. Don’t trust the box – measure it with a measuring tape in real life.
Now, measure the size of the tree with OUT the stand. Write this down, too.
Finally, measure your space, floor to ceiling. What is your total space you have to work with?
Solutions for an Overly Tall Artificial Christmas Tree
If your tree is too small for the space, you will need to either trim the tree, adjust the stand, or remove a section of the tree.
Removing a Section (for modular trees)
The easiest way to shorten an artificial Christmas tree is to remove a section. Most Christmas trees are modular – meaning they come in sections you slide together.
Removing a section – the bottom section, please, the middle would look wild – is usually as easy as not putting it out.
However, depending on how many sections your tree has, this could lower the tree too much.
If your tree only has 2 or 3 sections, you could suddenly find yourself with a too short tree.
In this case, you could remove one section and then put your tree on a box stand to raise it a bit.
Adjusting the Tree Stand
If your tree itself will fit in the room but not with the stand on it, consider replacing the stand.
A stand like this one is going to have the lowest possible profile. Remember: since artificial trees don’t need water, they can get away with being practically flush with the floor.
Just make sure that whatever you rig up as a stand is VERY secure with screws or bolts in place. You do NOT want a floppy tree, that’s a major safety concern.
Trimming the Tree
The final, worst case scenario is to trim your tree. This is not great but is doable.
You most likely want to trim off the bottom and not lose the point at the top of your tree.
Use a reciprocal saw to cut the hollow metal trunk. Be very very careful and wear safety gear. That means wearing protective gear such as safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection
You can also use wire cutters to cut back any branches, if necessary. Just look out for wires on pre-lit trees!
Safety Considerations
You definitely want to ensure that the tree is still stable after making any modifications to it.
Watch for any wires – do not cut wires, which can be a fire safety issue.
Always anchor your tree securely to prevent tipping.
Decorating Your Adjusted Tree
Now it’s time to decorate! I always suggest starting by fluffing your artificial tree so it looks more realistic out of the box.
Then, if it is not pre-lit, consider hanging lights vertically to save time!
If you did any sort of weird trimming, consider using ornaments to cover up any awkward looking spots on the tree.
Finally, if the tree is touching the ceiling, try a bow instead of a star or angel tree topper!
You can tie a big ribbon bow and tie ti to the front of the tree (still at the very top) to avoid adding any height!
Preventive Measures for Future Years
A too-tall Christmas tree is something we can deal with, but how about getting a smaller tree (or a taller house?) next time!
Always measure your space before purchasing and double check product measurements.
Choose an appropriate sized tree so future adjustments won’t be necessary!
Any more questions about your artificial Christmas tree?
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Hello, I’m Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I’ve transformed three homes and now I’m dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let’s turn your house into a home together!