Outdoor LED Holiday Lighting for Trees: A Homeowner’s Guide
By Gary Doyle, Principal Owner, Southern Nights Landscape Lighting
Seasonal holiday light strings are built for temporary use. They are rated for no more than 90 days a year, usually last only two to two and a half years if left outdoors, and electrical code treats them as temporary installations. If you want trees lit year-round, choose products listed for all-year use or a permanent low-voltage landscape lighting system.
Seasonal vs. All-Year Lights
Holiday light strings sold for seasonal use are certified under UL 588, which covers decorative products used 90 days or less per calendar year. The National Electrical Code agrees: NEC Article 590 governs temporary installations, and section 590.3(B) limits holiday displays such as tree lights to 90 days. Leaving seasonal strings up longer voids their UL listing and conflicts with the code.
Lights meant for longer or permanent use are certified under UL 588 Supplement SD. You can recognize them because they are labeled for all-year use rather than as “seasonal” or “holiday,” carry a black-on-yellow cord tag and a holographic certification label, and list their wattage rating and maximum connected load. Festoon, bistro, trim and permanent holiday lights fall into this category.
How Long Do Holiday Light Strings Last?
With careful handling and proper storage, professional-grade light strings can last six to seven seasons. Left outdoors year-round, the same strings typically last only about two to two and a half years.
Most strings use thin 18 to 22 gauge wire that is easily damaged by handling, tree movement and growth, weather, UV exposure and rodents. Individual LEDs can’t be replaced, so once too many diodes fail, the whole string has to go.
What Holiday Light Warranties Really Cover
- A rated lifespan is an estimate, not a warranty.
- Seasonal warranties usually run one or three years and only cover up to 90 days of use per year.
- Hurricanes and similar catastrophic events may void coverage.
- Installations within about a mile of the ocean may be limited to a single 90-day season.
- Cutting or altering the product can void the warranty.
Planning a Tree Wrap
Start by choosing the type of light and the controller that will create the effect you want. To estimate how much light string you need, measure the trunk diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground and the height you plan to wrap. Trees 14 feet or taller may require ladders, aerial lifts and experienced installers.
Common methods include a spiral wrap up the trunk with 2 to 6 inches between passes, a support product that holds the strings in place, or a top-down canopy wrap, which is the most time-consuming and needs skilled labor. As a reference point, wrapping a 32-inch-diameter trunk to 10 feet at 6-inch spacing took two installers about three minutes per foot and used roughly 170 feet of lights.
Electrical Safety and Code Basics
- Holiday light strings run on 120 volts and must be plugged into GFI-protected outlets or circuits.
- Outdoor outlets need in-use weatherproof covers.
- Use factory-made extension cords that are UL listed for outdoor use and the load you are connecting.
- Self-installed “vampire” plug connectors count as a 120-volt wiring modification and are subject to NEC and UL requirements.
- Any buried wiring must follow NEC Section 300.5.
- Running wiring from one tree canopy to another is not NEC compliant.
- Cutting factory wiring or adding splices should be done by a qualified electrician.
Storing Your Lights
Heat shortens the life of LED strings and controllers. Avoid storing them in attics, cargo containers or warehouses, and keep them indoors in a climate-controlled space between seasons.
A Year-Round Alternative: Permanent Outdoor Lighting
If you love the look of lit trees, a permanent system may be the better investment. Permanent installations fall under NEC Article 410, and fixtures attached to buildings or signs typically require a permit, even for low-voltage systems.
Southern Nights doesn’t offer temporary holiday lighting, but we design and install permanent outdoor lighting, stationary or animated, that looks beautiful every night of the year. Learn more about our landscape lighting services or call 772-567-4030 to schedule a consultation.
Downloads and Disclaimer
Download our printable guides: Outdoor LED Holiday Lighting & Limitations for Trees (PDF) and Quick Guide to Outdoor LED Holiday Light Limitations (PDF).
Code and product standards change. Verify requirements against the current NEC, UL standards and your local building department before installing.