Three Color Mini Trees ?

[Jerry]

Hi, new to LOR here. I'm preparing to build some red,green,white mini trees . I've watched vids and read links but haven't found many ideas. ? is how does one wrap the three colors and still get a full look when only one color is on ? I'm using 33" tall tomato cages as a frame and incan. mini light strings. Thanks, Jerry

[Richard Hamilton]

First of all, welcome to the forum with your first post. I am sure you will get some great ideas from people.

To make my job easier, I lay out my strings of 3 color lights in a long line beside each other and then use tiny cable ties to group them into one string. Then string the tree is the usual manner. It is a lot faster to wrap the tree with just one fat string instead of 3 strings.
And it looks good too. Also much easier to remove after the season is over.

[WilliamS]

Don made a how too as well

http://forums.lightorama.com/view_topic.php?id=31794&forum_id=79&highlight=mini+tree

[Jerry]

Thanks Rich, That is what my plan is , just wanted to hear any other ideas that may be out there.

Not sure if you do a mega tree, but would this be the way to go with that as well ?

A little about us. 2011 was our 1st year with LOR. Spent all summer on building Halloween props (with much advice from another member here). Check out my profile pic, you'll see why it took so much time. We didn't have enough time left to much for Xmas , did get an 18' mega tree built with 5,300 lights and an animated sequence for 32 channels. This year will be better ,I hope.

Thanks, Jerry

[David Rise]

My first attempt at a mini tree was to use PVC pipe and hang the lights from the top. But it didn't look as good as the tomatoe cages.

there are pictures on one of these threads. Picture of my tomatoe cage minis is my profile pic.

[Guest guest]

Jerry wrote:

Hi, new to LOR here. I'm preparing to build some red,green,white mini trees . I've watched vids and read links but haven't found many ideas. ? is how does one wrap the three colors and still get a full look when only one color is on ? I'm using 33" tall tomato cages as a frame and incan. mini light strings. Thanks, Jerry

I do 33-36 inch trees, 3 colors, 100 ct incans per color. Everyone's perception is different, but I think you'll find that will give you a pretty full look with even just one color lit. Whether you want to add more is truly a matter of personal preference...I personally have never looked at any of my smaller minis and felt they were lacking lights. Go for what you prefer...build a few now, vary bulb counts, look at them outdoors in the evening, and decide what you like.

[Gary Blair]

I agree with Don - make some and see what you like. I use two strings of each color, RGW on my 33 inch cages and think they look very full. I do however put each string on sperately - one red, one green and one white then repeat.

[Aaron Maue]

Gary Blair wrote:

I agree with Don - make some and see what you like. I use two strings of each color, RGW on my 33 inch cages and think they look very full. I do however put each string on sperately - one red, one green and one white then repeat.

Great suggestion. Hadn't thought about doing the sequence and then repeating. I'm moving from single-color incan minis to 2-color LEDs this year and was going to string 2 strands of white and then 2 of blue, but I like the white-blue-white-blue approach. Seems like that will stagger the lights that get "buried" a little better.