Mega tree on a slope

[LORi P]

I plan to have a mega tree this year, but my yard is pretty sloped.

I want the lights at the bottom of the tree to be level. I have been trying to think of ideas to have the ring of lights at the bottom level, yet still supported good on the sloped ground.

How does everyone else handle this?

[Jerry]

Hi, I just built this . Still planting flowers. Using the mega tree center pole as a flag pole throughout the summer. Hope this helps.

Jerry


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[yukon]

You could just build a wood frame,level it and place your mega tree on top...There are a few video's out there to follow this same idea. My yard is a bit sloped but not to the point that I had to do this. But yes, it can be done.
Just search mega tree on sloped ground.You will get a few hits and some ideas. There are so many talented people out here. Not much you can't find.

[Guest guest]

LORi P wrote:

I plan to have a mega tree this year, but my yard is pretty sloped.

I want the lights at the bottom of the tree to be level. I have been trying to think of ideas to have the ring of lights at the bottom level, yet still supported good on the sloped ground.

How does everyone else handle this?

Jim Winder would really be the expert on anything related to leaning mega-trees...he's experienced with various angles of lean from 0 to 90 degrees..:shock:

[Greg]

Jerry, verry nice and great idea. I have a slight slope and simply use pvc wiretied to large tent pins at the height to make the pvc "ring" level. I then attach the light strands to the pvc ring. It is a simple method but works well.

[LORi P]

Jerry wrote:

Hi, I just built this . Still planting flowers. Using the mega tree center pole as a flag pole throughout the summer. Hope this helps.

Jerry

Jerry - LOL - I have actually thought about doing that very thing. I was hoping to find a less expensive option, though.

Greg wrote:

Jerry, verry nice and great idea.  I have a slight slope and simply use pvc wiretied to large tent pins at the height to make the pvc "ring" level.  I then attach the light strands to the pvc ring.  It is a simple method but works well.

Hi Greg, do you have any photos of your pvc/tent pin setup? I'd love to see it.

[Guest Don Gillespie]

DonFL wrote:

Jim Winder would really be the expert on anything related to leaning mega-trees...he's experienced with various angles of lean from 0 to 90 degrees..:shock:

LMAOROTF

[Dave Batzdorf]

That one might look pretty cool with different lengths of lights.

[Arnoldc]

Lori,
Maybe a good idea to make a "floating" lower ring. This would mount to your mega tree pole. Much like a bike wheel. Set this where the ring would set level from the highest point.. And for the lower "empty" spot, put light up presents and such..

[Caleb Linburg]

Arnoldc wrote:

Lori,
Maybe a good idea to make a "floating" lower ring. This would mount to your mega tree pole. Much like a bike wheel. Set this where the ring would set level from the highest point.. And for the lower "empty" spot, put light up presents and such..

You might only need a floating 1/2 ring. Just let the ring hang on the lights over the hill. maybe.

[Jerry]

Thanks to all for the compliments. Since the mega tree is the most time consuming item to set, up I wanted a base that I didn't have to level up every year. The block wall is 10' in diameter at the top, the mast is 20' tall on a large hinge plate bolted to a concrete pad. The wall was a DIY project with materials costing about $250. Jerry

[rescue_653]

Jeff Millard wrote:

I have a sloped front yard, and my Mega sits on the steepest part. The way I dealt with the slope was to make a 12' diameter ring from 3' pieces of 1/2" PVC, connected together with T's. Then I cut 1/2" PVC into vertical rods to stick into the T's, that lift the ring and keep it level. Drive lengths of galvanized ground rod at least 2' into the ground and leave enough sticking out to slide the vertical cuts over it.

You need to take a cut of 1/2" PVC with you when you purchase the galvanized rod, and make sure it will slide over it. Some of the rod is too large for 1/2" so you need to be picky. I drilled through it and I put a cotter pin in each one so the ring won't pull up. I also drilled each T to pipe connection and used cotter pins there too. If you find that the T is binding on the pipe, use some 220 grit sandpaper on the pipe to make it slide into the T a little easier. A little cheap flat black paint on the PVC and it disappears.

I've got a fiberglass pole for the mast with three cable/turnbuckle sets connected to 2' screw anchors that are independant of the ring. You could use any mast.

Jeff

I use the same basic setup as you Jeff and that works great for me also.

[Arnoldc]

Where is that pesky like button??

[Denny]

I use the same setup as Jeff, except I use rebar rather than galvanized pipe. To keep the pvc base from moving, I attach 3 short guy wires to the base ring and attach to stakes in the yard. This holds the ring onto the pvc "legs" and keeps it from swaying in the wind.

[bdeditch]

If you can, why don't you dig about a 4 foot post hole, cement in a PVC pipe in the ground, use a 3 inch if you are planning a 2 inch pole. Then all you have to do is pull it out when you are done. Cement a collar with thread at the top and screw in a plug. I have had that for 3 years and it works great. You want to have it deep enough to steady your pole, but still use guide lines. For my ring I use guide lines, 4 of them, from the top of the pole, attached to the lifting head. They are then attached to the ring and you can adjust it to make it even.

[Guest wbottomley]

LORi P wrote:

I plan to have a mega tree this year, but my yard is pretty sloped.

I want the lights at the bottom of the tree to be level. I have been trying to think of ideas to have the ring of lights at the bottom level, yet still supported good on the sloped ground.

How does everyone else handle this?

Lori....

This was my lawn before the show was moved to the fire station. Some parts of their field are sloped more than in the image below. If all of your lights are the same length, wrap them around the bottom ring the same. There's no hole, cement, or any type of sleeve in the ground to hold the pole up. Here's how I made mine and they seemed to be working for seven years now: http://www.highcountrylights.com/blog/mega-trees-high-country-lights-style.html