D.I.Y. Building a 18 foot Mega Tree for Christmas Lights Display

This is my first time doing a video like this. I thought it could be helpful for anyone building a display. My son is not the best videographer, but I think I covered everything you need to know to build your own.
Supplies List:
20' retractable flag pole ( I bought mine from Harbor Freight for $60)
1,000 C9 or G30 lights (if using smaller bulbs it would probably be closer to 2,000)
3 10' 1/2" PVC conduit
100 cable ties (zip ties) I also purchased thos at Harbor Freight.
The piece on top is made out of 7/16" threaded rod.
if you would like to see/follow my display here is a link to our Facebook page:
profile.php?...

[@josephdemasi6560]

Just saw this. Great job !!!

[@camperatwill3951]

Awesome

[@danman1980]

2 years later update: The 2 trees I made in this fashion lasted the season. The next season the flag poles were unusable as some of the sections would no longer extend or retract. I credit this to being cheaply made, but I knew that when I bought them. For my 2020 display I used 2 regular (not retractable) flagpoles. I attached a metal ring to the rope that came with them and I hung the lights using the method in this video then used the rope and pulley to hoist them up to the top. Those flagpoles we're even cheaper made than the first 2 and they sheared off in a wind storm about halfway through the season(not a fun time 😭). For 2021 I have constructed my own flagpole using schedule 40 steel, to which I attached a pulley to the top and a trailer winch to the bottom and put steel cable through to raise the lights. I attached the same metal ring to the cable and I used the same method for measuring the lights. I believe this year's to be indestructible but I will find out I suppose. The bottom line is, I would recommend the one's in this video if you do not live in a harsh climate. If you live in a harsh climate I would recommend using a heavier duty flagpole or making your own and then using the method in this video to measure and hang the lights.

[@craftman5632]

That is ultra mega.

[@panhandletrains]

Awesome DIY project - it turned out great!

[@benkoster6334]

I like you're Christmas light tree.

[@tashacherry1480]

Beautifully done.

[@maribel0077]

Thank you for your video looking to do this out side Christmas tree this year and was looking for a good video and found your 😊

[@cathysmith9026]

Very pretty

[@timm2020]

Great Video, I am also a Zip Tie fan.

[@danman1980]

Thanks, I use close to 1,000 each year 😂

[@danman1980]

Update: after a wind storm 2 of the top sections retracted. I remedied this by putting a hose clamp around each section.

[@laylariley6156]

Zz mini light show 5

[@laylariley6156]

Dan Powell Zz mini light show 5

[@laylariley6156]

Dan Powell Zz mini light show 6 comeing soon

[@Kevinw4040]

I hope to do something like this but I’m going try 10” metal fence rails for 18’ tall. I’ll put about 18-24” in the ground and rig a pulley on top and raise a pvc toilet flange up with the lights connected. Well that’s the plan anyway.

[@2a8bcd]

WOW😲👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@CSDM15]

If I was putting on the lights I wouldn’t extend the flagpole... I would climb the flag pole

[@efd506]

How did this hold up in the wind? Were you happy with the finished product?

[@danman1980]

I am happy with the finished product. A couple of the sections of the flag pole did slide down in the wind, so I am going to put some hose clamps on those sections to prevent it from happening again.

[@ryans4492]

How many lights would you need for a 10 ft

[@danman1980]

It would really depend on what size of lights you're going to use. If you are going to use C9 which are the big bulbs I would say it would probably take between 500 and 700 but if you are going to use mini lights I would guess closer to a thousand.

[@danman1980]

Because mine are both about 17 ft tall and I use all C9's and they each have roughly 1100 lights on them

[@pensacolapi8132]

Question, going to try this. On the 3 10' sections of PVC, what formula did u use to determine bend angles? Or what angle did you bend PVC at?

[@danman1980]

I didn't use a formula, I just connected the ends together to make a circle.

[@pensacolapi8132]

@@danman1980 Thanks, I was thinkin the 10" pipe may snap. Schedule 40 1/2" pvc ? We need qite a bit of light supplies etc, going to buy rolls. Can u suggest a reliable online vendor ?

[@danman1980]

Yes schedule 40 1/2", it is pretty flexible. I have yet to find any online retailers that are cheaper than good ol Walmart. They are not the best quality lights, but I have had pretty decent success. One thing I always suggest is to get a Lightkeeper Pro tool, they will pay for themselves as they make it very easy to repair strings.

[@pensacolapi8132]

@@danman1980 Thanks much, do you recall diameter of flag pole at very bottom and top ?

[@danman1980]

I don't know off the top of my head I can measure it when I get home

[@gracepadilla1705]

Where is the start