Artificial Christmas trees are beautiful 2 months, then a pain to store for the other 10. Today I whipped up a Christmas tree storage dolly to minimize my tree’s footprint, while still making it easy to move.
January – do you believe it?!
Feels like 2 months of Christmas chaos lead up to this cliff of “what do I do now?”
I’ve started putting my Christmas decorations away, and the house suddenly feels empty and less cozy somehow… but my Mother is superstitious, and if any decorations are still up after January 6th (the 12th day of Christmas) it’s a year of bad luck.
I don’t necessarily believe in superstitions, but I don’t unnecessarily challenge them either.
If you are like me and find storing your Christmas tree a bit of a nuisance, then I have a simple idea for you…
make it portable!
I have one tree that I tuck behind the furnace in the basement, so it doesn’t take up any otherwise usable space, but I have another tree that gets stored in the garage because it is too heavy for me to carry downstairs.
I know you can purchase different bags and boxes for Christmas tree storage, but as long as my tree box is still in good shape I’m going to stick with that. Who needs to spend $100 if you don’t have to right?
Problem is, the box is tall and HEAVY, and tends to get in my way since I use my garage as my She-Shop.
I decided it was time to make life easier and whip up a little dolly to keep my tree upright, off of the ground and portable.
Don’t laugh; this is a Frankenstein of a build.
I won’t give specific measurements for this Christmas tree storage dolly because it’s going to depend on the size, brand, etc of your tree. All you need to do is piece together ¾” (2cm) thick scrap wood until you have a base that is 3 ½” (8.9cm) larger than the Christmas tree box.
I used pocket screws and wood glue to patch together a base out of ¾” (2cm) MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard). Once I had all my scraps bonded together, I cut the base on my table saw so that it was 3 ½” (8.9cm) larger than the Christmas tree box.
I pulled more ¾” scraps out of my cut-off pile, trying to find pieces that were at least 8″ (20.3cm) wide. If you can find taller, that’s even better – it will keep your tree more stable at the base.
Cut one board to mirror the length of the base board, and then cut the other two sides ¾” shorter so they will butt up against the back board.
Drill pocket holes every 6″ (15.2cm) along the length of all three boards. Drill pocket holes in one end of each of the side boards – where they will attach to the back.
Use 1 ¼” (~3cm) pocket screws and wood glue to attach the back board to the base first. Follow by attaching the side boards to both the base AND the back board with pocket screws and wood glue.
I’ve had great luck finding castors on Amazon.ca – far cheaper than my local home improvement store. I purchased a set of 4 locking casters and attached them to the bottom of the base board in each corner.
My reasoning for only adding 3 sides to my Christmas tree storage dolly is that the tree is HEAVY, and I didn’t want to attempt to lift it up and over a side board to put it in the dolly.
With three sides, the base is sturdily-held, but makes sliding the Christmas tree box onto it much easier.
Made of scraps remember – it’s about function, not form. 😂
My 9′ Hayden Pine weighs 80lbs / 36kg. I can slide it up on the the Christmas tree storage dolly, and then move it around as easy as moving a toaster.
What is the best way to store a Christmas tree?
In a perfect world, if you aren’t sick of getting poked and scratched by artificial needles, then it is best to press the auxiliary branches down into the main branch, then fold down all of the main branches to the trunk. “Un-fluffing” your tree, so to speak.
Truthfully, I just fold the main branches in to the trunk and then shove it into the box in the hopes I’ll still be able to close the top.
Where do you store artificial Christmas trees?
Store it in a cool, dry area. Heat can discolour the needles on your tree and even possibly melt it. Direct sunlight can discolour your tree if any areas are exposed outside of the box and you run the risk of rust and mold in damp areas. Sometimes our options are limited, but consider a garage or basement over an attic or shed.
How do you store a fake Christmas tree without a box?
If your box has seen better days – it happens – then wrapping your tree in cellophane or purchasing an upright storage bag might be your best option. If you keep your tree assembled and on its stand, you can still use this Christmas tree storage dolly so that it doesn’t get in the way of other storage. Alternatively, you can purchase inexpensive concrete forms (a hard cardboard tube) in widths up to 18″ and drop your tree inside.
What is the lifespan of an artificial Christmas tree?
With proper care and storage your artificial tree will last between 10 – 20 years. Newer trees, with LED lighting, mean that your lights will likely last that long as well.
How long should an artificial tree last to counter the environmental damage?
According to Greenpeace.org, an artificial tree has to be in circulation a minimum of 8 years, but ideally 20, to minimize its carbon footprint.
A simple project, but perhaps one that will make life a bit easier.
Have a great one!