String Trees and White Branches

Cody Sifford from Pawleys Island Community Church in Pawleys Island, SC, brings us this awesome Christmas look.

From Cody: This was our Christmas-season set.

For the real trees, these are actually branches off of larger trees that were in abundant supply thanks to a recent hurricane. They were each painted with flat white spray paint. While painting, someone followed behind with large flake silver glitter, which made the trees sparkle. Then they were potted in a 5-gallon bucket with half a bag of Quikrete. We wrapped the bucket in brown burlap. Strung white Christmas lights.

The string trees:
Bases were made from irrigation tubing to create hoops. Connected with irrigation tube couplers to make 2 6 foot diameter and the center 8ft diameter. I then hung D-rings from a rope above. Then, taking white yarn, we tied it to the hoop base and, with someone on a ladder, fed the yarn through the bottom loop back to the hanging D-ring and back down through the hoop.

This is a VERY time-consuming process. You have to make sure your spacing and tension remain even the whole way around. Eventually it will want to pull the hoop bases off the ground. I taped bricks to the hoops to keep this from happening. A few LED bars and pars to light everything, and we were set.

Planning a String Tree and White Branch Christmas Stage

The strength of this Christmas design is the contrast between two textures: the straight, repeated lines of the yarn trees and the irregular silhouettes of the painted branches. The white surfaces give colored light something to catch, while the open string shapes keep the scene from becoming a solid wall. When adapting the idea, start with a stage sketch showing musicians, microphones, screens, entrances, and camera positions. Group the trees at different heights and leave enough space for the congregation to see the people leading the service.

Cody’s original hoop bases measured six feet across for the outside trees and eight feet for the center tree. Those dimensions describe this installation rather than a required starting size. Mark your proposed footprints on the floor before buying tubing, then check the view from the back row and side seats. A smaller room may benefit from fewer or narrower trees. Make one sample first so the team can judge the yarn density, assembly time, and amount of floor space needed.

Building Consistent Yarn Trees

Even spacing is easier when the attachment points are marked around the hoop before stringing begins. Divide the circumference into matching sections, and use the same spacing pattern as volunteers work around the base. Keep the yarn tension consistent rather than pulling individual strands as tight as possible. As Cody noted, the accumulating tension can lift a lightweight hoop. Have the installation team review the whole support arrangement and suitable ballast instead of assuming that a heavier hanging point alone will solve movement at the base.

Separate volunteer jobs into hoop preparation, yarn handling, spacing checks, and final lighting. Keep yarn organized so it does not tangle as it travels between the hoop and the upper connection. The original build required substantial stringing time, so schedule a prototype session before committing the whole team to a deadline. Work at height should use appropriate access equipment and trained helpers. Ask a qualified installer to specify overhead attachments and load-rated hardware; yarn is a scenic material, not a substitute for structural rigging.

Finishing Branches and Lighting the Scene

The submitted branch treatment used flat white spray paint with silver glitter, then placed the branches in concrete-filled buckets wrapped in burlap. For an adaptation, select sound, dry branches and remove loose pieces before finishing them. Apply coatings according to their product directions and allow them to dry fully before bringing them into the room. The bucket, branch height, and spread all affect stability, so test each completed unit and secure it appropriately. Keep burlap and other decorative materials clear of electrical connections and fixture ventilation.

Try the tree lights and scenic LED wash together before final placement. A restrained cool wash can emphasize the white branches, while warmer string lights provide a contrasting glow. Evaluate those choices with your normal front lighting on people, not just with the room dark. Photograph a speaking position and a wide stage view to check whether bright branches distract from faces. Budget for yarn, tubing, connectors, paint, lights, approved supports, and installation labor; the original submission does not provide a complete project cost.

Pro Tips for String Trees and White Branches

1. Mark the hoop first: Use evenly spaced reference marks so multiple volunteers can keep the yarn pattern consistent without guessing their way around the circle.
2. Test one finished tree: Check its silhouette, base movement, setup time, and lighting before repeating the design across the stage.
3. Protect clear pathways: Keep hoops, buckets, and cables outside musician routes and exits, and inspect the layout under service lighting.
4. Plan the rebuild: Label matching hoop parts, record the yarn spacing, and photograph branch groupings so volunteers can repeat the arrangement without starting from scratch.

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