It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We’re decking the halls and making the season bright which of course includes trimming the Christmas tree. The hardest part is figuring out how to safely get your tree home. If not carefully secured, the tree could cause damage to your own car or even fly off and cause an accident. Not to worry though! With a little planning everything should go smoothly. Read on for our best tips for getting a Christmas tree home safely.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
Before you go tree shopping, take measurements of the space you’re planning to put the tree and the top of your car or truck bed. This way you’ll have a good idea of how big of a tree you can easily manage.
Gather Supplies
You’ll need strong ropes or straps to secure the tree, an old blanket or tarp to protect your car from scratches and gloves to keep your hands safe.
Wrap it Up
Once you’ve picked out your perfect tree, it’s time to prepare it to come home. Most farms will wrap your tree in netting which will keep the branches secure. This is an important step. If netting is not available, wrap the tree in a tarp or blanket and secure with ropes.
Securing the Tree
- Here’s how to safely secure your tree to the roof of your car.
- Place a blanket or tarp along the top of your car. Make sure not to cover any windows.
- Put the tree on top of your car with the stump facing towards the front of your car to avoid wind damage.
- Now, get your rope ready. Open your car doors and fasten the tree around the roof along its top, middle, and base. If you have a roof rack, you can use bungee cords to secure your tree. Give your ropes and tree a couple tugs to ensure it’s nice and snug.
- If the tree ends up being a little longer than your car, attach something reflective or brightly colored to the top of your tree to alert other drivers.
- Confirm all windows still have visibility and that your doors are firmly shut.
Over the River and Through the Woods
It’s time to drive home. Drive slowly to prevent any damage to your tree and to keep those needles attached. You don’t want to come home to a bare tree! Avoid high speeds on highways and take back roads, if possible.
And that’s it! Now you know how to secure a Christmas tree to your car! We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season. Happy Decorating!
Amber Rolfe is a Marketing Associate at AAA Hudson Valley.
