Friday, March 29, 2024 Mar 29, 2024
62° F Dallas, TX
Advertisement
Home & Garden

How to Trim Your Tree

An ornamental guide.
By Billy Milner |
Image

BUYING THE TREE

While contradictory to traditional thinking, it’s crucial to get a tree that’s not too full. “Ornaments should hang on the tree as opposed to lean on the tree,” Billy says. Make sure the branches are sturdy so they don’t bow under the ornaments’ weight.

LIGHTS

Billy’s advice? “Buy a tree that’s pre-lit,” he laughs. In the event that a strand goes out or you prefer a real tree, he says to wrap lights around each individual branch, starting from the center and working outward to the tip and back in before moving on to the next branch. 

ORNAMENTS 

Billy recommends this three-layer approach: 

1. On the innermost part of the branches, hang three to four different styles of colored balls—at least a dozen of each to lend some uniformity. 

2. Closer to the edges, hang one-of-a-kind ornaments you want to showcase.

3. Finish the tips of the branches off with the same small ornaments or icicles. 

Billy forgoes hooks and secures ornaments using five-inch segments of green floral wire. “The ornaments hang directly beneath the branch,” he says. “And the floral wire just disappears in the greenery.”

DECOR

Dare to be different! Accessorize with unique items that showcase your personality or interests. Billy has used garden hoses and copper tubing in lieu of garland, for instance. He prefers not to use a topper, instead securing large, stand-out items a foot from the top to one side. Skip the skirt, too, and instead place your tree in a streamlined stand that can sit in a decorative container. “I’ve used vintage trunks, an old bass drum, you name it,” he says.

STORAGE

Don’t waste money on ornament-storage boxes. Billy learned his simple, foolproof system from a client: Seal each ornament in a Ziplock bag and pile into a clear plastic bin. Skeptical? Billy was, too. “But they don’t break!” he insists. 

WHERE TO SHOP

Holiday Warehouse – This Plano store stocks Parkhill, Billy’s go-to line of artificial trees, and ornaments galore.

Mary Cates & Co. – This shop carries Jim Marvin’s Bubble Gum ornaments, Billy’s favorite line of colored balls.

Jacksons Home and Garden and Nicholson-Hardie– Great resources for stands and containers.

Related Articles

A packed tray of barbecue (ribs, links, beans, mac, slaw, bread) from Goldee's Barbecue
Recipes

How to Make Goldee’s Barbecue’s Irresistible Smoked Pork Belly And Peach Glaze at Home

House of Plates, a DFW-based food and music outlet, has paired up with chefs all over North Texas for their favorite recipes.
Local News

Leading Off (3/29/24)

Looks like we have a beautiful Easter weekend ahead.
Image
Business

Alternative Wealth Partners Launches $150 Million Investment Fund

Plus: Parking software and solutions company ParkHub merges with U.K.-based JustPark, Spark Spot acquires land for EV charging station in Carrollton, and more.
Advertisement