A wrapped tree is the showstopper of most Christmas light displays, and the price surprises a lot of homeowners. A small trunk wrap starts around $150. A big live oak with every limb wrapped can cost $7,000 or more. Here’s what professionals charge, what drives the price, and what it costs to do it yourself.
1. Quick answer
Professional tree wrapping starts around $150 for a small trunk. An average small to medium tree with about 700 lights runs $500 to $1,000, and that usually covers the trunk and main limbs, not every branch. Heavy wraps that take 50 to 100 strands run $2,000 to $5,000 or more, and large trees can cost $7,000 or more.
| Tree | What’s wrapped | Typical pro price |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree | Trunk only | from $150 |
| Small to medium tree | About 700 lights, trunk and main limbs (not a full wrap) | $500 to $1,000 |
| Heavily wrapped tree | 50 to 100 strands | $2,000 to $5,000+ |
| Large oak or pecan | Trunk and limbs, often from a lift | $7,000+ |
2. What sets the price of a tree wrap
- Height: anything above ladder reach may need a lift, and the rental gets built into the price.
- Trunk only, or limbs too: limbs take far more lights and labor than the trunk.
- How tight the wrap is: wraps 3 to 4 inches apart look full and bright but use about twice the lights of 6-inch spacing.
- Trunk size: a 6-foot-around oak takes three times the lights of a 2-foot trunk for the same height.
- Power: trees far from an outlet need extra cords and runs.
- Lease or keep: most installers include the lights and take them down in January. Some let you keep the lights.
3. How many lights a tree needs
Feet of lights = trunk circumference × number of wraps. Number of wraps = height in inches ÷ inches between wraps.
| Trunk | Wrapped height | Spacing | Feet of lights | 70-count strands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ft around | 6 ft | 4 inch | 36 ft | 2 |
| 4 ft around | 10 ft | 4 inch | 120 ft | 6 |
| 6 ft around | 15 ft | 3 inch | 360 ft | 16 |
Add the limbs and a large tree can take 50 to 100 or more strands. The step-by-step math is in how many mini lights to wrap a tree.
4. DIY cost: what the lights cost
Commercial LED mini lights cost about $12 to $17 per strand by the case. A small trunk wrap is $25 to $100 in lights. A big tree with wrapped limbs can be $700 to $1,400 or more in lights alone.
| Job | Strands | Lights cost (about $14 each) |
|---|---|---|
| Small trunk | 2 to 6 | $28 to $84 |
| Large trunk only | 16 to 20 | $225 to $280 |
| Large tree, trunk and limbs | 50 to 100+ | $700 to $1,400+ |
5. Hiring a pro vs. doing it yourself
| DIY | Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Small trunk wrap | Easy weekend job | Quick and affordable |
| Limbs above ladder height | Risky, hard to keep even | Recommended, often with a lift |
| Takedown | Your job in January | Usually included |
| Lights that fail mid-season | You fix them | Service calls usually included |
6. Ways to get the look for less
- Wrap the trunk and the first few feet of main limbs instead of every branch.
- Use 6-inch spacing on trees viewed from the street. It uses about half the lights.
- Pick one or two feature trees near the house instead of every tree in the yard.
- Bundle with your roofline. Installers often price trees better when they’re already on site.
- Book early. September and October bookings get the best dates.
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FAQ
How much does it cost to wrap a tree in Christmas lights?
Professional tree wrapping starts around $150 for a small trunk. A small to medium tree with about 700 lights usually runs $500 to $1,000, heavy wraps with 50 to 100 strands run $2,000 to $5,000 or more, and large trees can cost $7,000 or more.
How many lights does it take to wrap a tree?
Multiply the trunk circumference by the number of wraps. A 4-foot-around trunk wrapped 10 feet high with 4-inch spacing takes about 120 feet of lights, or 6 strands of 70-count mini lights.
Why is wrapping tree limbs so expensive?
Limbs multiply the lights and labor. A trunk might take 10 strands, but wrapping the limbs of a big tree can take 50 to 100 or more, often from a lift.
Does a $500 to $1,000 tree wrap cover the whole tree?
Usually not. That price typically covers about 700 lights on the trunk and main limbs of a small to medium tree. Fully wrapping every branch takes far more lights and labor.
Do Christmas light installers take down tree wraps?
Many include takedown, while others charge a removal fee. Confirm it is in your quote.
Prices are typical 2026 pricing from professional installers, including Grants Outdoor in Dallas–Fort Worth. Light and product prices are current list prices as of October 2026. Your quote will vary by home and market.
Keep reading: How much Christmas lights cost · Installation cost · Mini light calculator guide
Author: camerongrant@grantsoutdoor.com
Self taught developer and seo specialist