Rebar Christmas Tree Stand? Top 50 Best Answers

1/9

Betsie Van der Meer/Getty Images

Christmas Tree Basics

You have found it. After getting up and spinning around dozens of trees, you’ve finally found the perfect Christmas tree. Now that you’ve got it home and off the roof of the car, there are a few key things to do that will help get it indoors and easier to care for throughout the month.

First measure the height of the tree before bringing it indoors. This helps ensure it fits up to the ceiling and leaves enough room for decorations. If it’s too high, you can trim the trunk outside or in the garage where you don’t have to worry about a pile of sawdust on the carpet. Even if you don’t have to trim it, it’s a good idea to trim about an inch from the bottom of the stem, or have them do it where you buy it. Fresh wood absorbs more water, which keeps the tree fresher for longer.

Next, test your Christmas tree with the stand. You may need a larger stand if the log is too big. Or you can scale it down to fit. Now it’s time to trim the lower branches as well. This way there is a lot of space between the ground and the lower spurs of the tree. Remember to use pruning shears to cut branches.

Leave the net on until you have climbed into the stand and set it up around the house.

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our disclosures here.

Want your Christmas tree to stay fresh and green all season long? Try these simple tips.

Here’s a guide that includes our secrets to making your trimmed Christmas tree last the entire holiday season.

You need:

tree saw

Drill/screwdriver and 1/2 inch bit

rubber mallet

screwdriver

Christmas Tree Stand (We prefer the two-piece kind, where you attach a container to the trunk and then place it in a base that you latch once the tree is upright.)

It helps to have:

Disposable latex gloves

WD-40

an assistant

Step by step instructions

1. Cut your own tree. The problem with trees purchased on Christmas tree lots is that most trees are felled several days – if not weeks – before they reach the lot. The only way to get a truly fresh tree is to cut it down at a Christmas tree farm. Disposable latex gloves protect your hands from juice and pitch. (If you get bad luck on your hands, apply cooking oil with a paper towel to remove it.)

2 Put a sandwich plastic bag around the cut end of your tree and secure with a rubber band immediately after cutting the tree. After loading your tree into or onto your vehicle, head straight home – no stopping for brunch!

3 After you bring the tree home, lay it on its side and use a pruning saw to make a straight cut, removing about 1 inch from the bottom of the trunk. Applying WD-40 to the saw blade before cutting will keep the saw blade moving freely in the cut.

4 Using a 1/2-inch drill bit, drill a hole directly into the bottom of the trunk to accommodate the spike at the bottom center of the Christmas tree stand. Then drill three or four holes around the edge of the log where it will be dipped in water. This will help it absorb the water.

5 Slide the stand container onto the trunk so that the bottom hole sits on the inner spike of the stand; Secure the stand with a few quick taps of a rubber mallet.

6 Finger tighten the eyebolts so the log is evenly centered in the stand. Then use a screwdriver to firmly tighten the eyebolts.

7 Raise the tree to a standing position. (Allow your helper to determine the “front” of the tree.) Place the stand in place, then lift the tree and container and secure into the base.

8 Immediately fill the container with water and add a packet of longer life tree nutrients (these can be purchased at a local nursery and most Christmas tree plots). Adding aspirin to the tree’s water also increases the tree’s ability to absorb nutrients.

9 Check the tree’s water at least three times a day for the first few days, and then daily. To avoid sealing the base of the tree, make sure the container is always at least half full of water. (You can insert a short length of PVC pipe into the basin to make adding water easier without having to crawl under the tree!)

10 Position the tree away from heat sources such as registers, vents, and chimneys to keep its branches from drying out.

Happy Holidays!

RELATED POSTS:

• How to hang Christmas lights

• The best way to store Christmas lights

• Ladders: The ultimate guide to selection and safe use

• 8 things to do before guests arrive

• How to prepare your home for overnight guests

Get a heavy stand

When I was growing up, my father had a traditional stand that looked something like this:

This works for smaller trees as long as you can be sure that nobody (like a child or pet) will disturb it. This is by no means a matter of course. Remember that trees have an extensive root system that keeps them on the ground during windy periods, so it’s important to have a stand that can simulate the cut off parts of the tree. For that reason, I’m a proponent of a heavier cast iron stand like this one:

There’s a lot to be said for the simplicity of a really heavy, wide stand that will hold your tree firmly in place. I’ve been told that plastic stands are sturdier than they look when weighted down with water. They have the added benefit of holding a gallon of water or more, meaning you don’t risk a dried out tree. In a way it doesn’t really matter what the stand looks like as you can always cover it with a tree apron. (And my wife insists, although I like the look of our booth.)

Put the tree in the stand

One thing I’ve tried is getting the tree up before removing the string holding the branches in place. This is an error for two reasons:

The balance of the tree changes when the branches are fully unfolded. A tree that stands upright when wrapped can sometimes lean when unwrapped. My wife always wants me to turn the tree so the best side faces the room. Once the tree is secure, you don’t want to mess with the balance by trying to move or rotate it.

In order to get a good balance, I also think it is a mistake to attach the stand before the tree is erected. Or rather, you’ll have to reset it anyway and it probably won’t do you any good – especially if you’ve got a heavy stand.

Fastening the tree to the stand

This is where my stand fails. It attaches to the tree with three screws. Three is the absolute minimum number of points needed to hold a tribe in place, and it doesn’t seem like enough. If I try to adjust a side, the tree falls over and I need help to hold it up. (My dad’s stand had the same problem, but image searches show most traditional designs have 4 bolts plus a ring to hold the truck more securely.)

This year I stumbled upon a solution so simple I can’t understand how it hadn’t occurred to me before: I put 2×4 snips between the bolts and the trunk. This has the advantage of distributing lateral pressure over a larger area and also makes adjustment easier as the bolts are not screwed into the trunk itself. For added security, I pack extra pieces of wood to support the tree now that I’ve attached it to the stand.

Looking around, I see newer designs using two tiers of bolts or even “hugging” the trunk with a pedal-operated cable. I have no experience with these designs, but if the stand is heavy enough (see above), they are likely improvements over the three-bolt stand I use.

Consider a guy line

Here in California we are encouraged to secure everything in case of an earthquake. Given the excitement of the season, I’m happy to secure our tree in the event of a child quake. It’s a bit of a struggle, but over the past few years I’ve been happy to have a bit of security from falling trees when the balance has shifted with watering and decorations. It doesn’t have to be an eyesore either – the string can be attached to a hook in the wall behind the tree.

I used monofilament fishing line to attach our tree to a hook in the ceiling. Because fishing line is designed to be invisible in (or near) water, most people won’t see it. An added benefit is that you know how your line is rated and can estimate how many strands will suffice. If you’re fishing in the summer it’s a good idea to swap out your line between fishing seasons to avoid tangling, so this is a perfect opportunity.

We love putting our artificial Christmas tree outside every year, but it can get difficult to keep it in place in high winds and inclement weather. So what’s the best way to anchor it?

You can secure your artificial Christmas tree outside with shepherd hooks, ratchet straps, rope or cable ties, an umbrella stand filled with water, bags of rocks or dumbbells, or fence posts.

Join us as we discover how to use each of these methods to anchor your artificial Christmas tree outside of this festive season…

Can you put fake Christmas trees outside? (Is it safe?)

Yes, you can put an artificial Christmas tree outside. An artificial Christmas tree can make a great addition to a porch, gazebo or patio, creating an appealing extra seating area for the holiday season.

First, you need to make sure of a few things: is it waterproof, and are its lights and decorations suitable for outdoor use? Places like Home Depot and Lowe’s have a wide range of artificial Christmas trees that come pre-decorated with safe outdoor lights.

Not only do you need to make sure your artificial tree and lights are suitable for outdoor use, you also need to make sure the tree won’t fall over. A gust of wind could easily destroy your beautiful display or even make your tree fall off the block. We take a closer look at how best to anchor your artificial Christmas tree.

How do you anchor an artificial Christmas tree outside so it doesn’t tip over?

Artificial Christmas trees can be lighter, so they need to be anchored firmly to prevent them from falling over. There are several ways you can do this, and how you secure your tree will depend on the tree species and the attachment points available.

You can keep it cheap and low key by weighing down a pot with rocks or sand, or try a decorative method like a weighted umbrella stand. If your porch is particularly windy, you can even use ratchet straps or zip ties.

Just remember that while you can easily tie or weight down an outdoor artificial tree, the best solution is to choose a sheltered spot first. The aim is to have the tree close to the wall of the house or away from the prevailing wind. A sheltered location combined with a weight or tie should keep your tree standing neatly upright throughout the holiday season.

Sturdy shepherd’s hook

Shepherd’s hooks are usually used for decorative purposes, e.g. B. for holding lanterns or hanging baskets. A heavy-duty shepherd’s hook, however, can take on more difficult tasks, e.g. B. Help support your fake Christmas tree.

Shepherd’s crooks placed in buckets or pots of soil on either side of the tree can be used to tie it down (more on ties in a moment). You can also turn the pots into pretty decorative elements with evergreen plants.

Even with heavy-duty hooks, this is a solution when you just need a little extra support. If you think the tree is likely to be blown over, you need a more robust support method.

Ratchet straps, rope or tie straps

Ratchet straps are most commonly used in transportation to tie down loads. So they may not be a pretty solution, but they are effective. If you are standing your tree on a raised deck, you can thread the straps between boards. Otherwise, you may need to attach fasteners to the house wall or fence to hold the strap.

The same goes for ropes and zip ties: what are you going to attach them to? If you want your tree to be near a fence or trellis, this is an easy mounting method; Otherwise, you may need to attach hooks to your wall to take the other end of the rope or strap.

Parasol stand full of water

We really like this method as it can look really amazing. Do you have a stand for your parasol? Use it as a Christmas tree stand around. The sturdy ones you fill with water are ideal: just make sure the trunk will fit before choosing this attachment method.

If you don’t already have an umbrella stand to winterize in your garage or shed, you can pick one up at places like Home Depot or Target. You can even get decorative plastic stands (although these don’t weigh as much as a stand filled with water or sand). If you don’t like the look of your plain stand, try covering it with burlap and ribbons (waterproof fabrics, of course).

Bag of stones or dumbbell weights

This is a cheap and effective way to weigh down your outdoor artificial tree. Just collect some pebbles or rocks, or some small dumbbell weights. You’ll also need two plastic storage bags (heavy duty, with handles that won’t pull and tear).

Place the stones or weights in the bags, and then tie the bags to both sides of the Christmas tree stand. Make sure they face each other so the weight is evenly distributed. This is an easy way to ensure your tree doesn’t blow away (and an easy fix if you find out at the last minute that your tree needs to be held down).

It’s not the most attractive solution. We recommend getting a strip of burlap a few feet long and wrapping it liberally around the base of the tree and covering the sacks. You can also dress it up with fake gifts like the ones they put around the trees in malls and stores. But the gifts themselves need to be weighed and wrapped in something waterproof.

fence post

Using a fence post base to attach an artificial tree to a deck is a great idea. As with the umbrella stand, you need to make sure the stem fits into the bracket. Make sure you know exactly where you want your tree to stand as you will need to drill holes in your deck or boards to secure the base (look for a fence post base with pre-drilled holes).

If you put your tree on grass or dirt, you can even use a fence post itself as a kind of post. Fix the post securely in the ground and then tie the trunk to it using one of the tying methods above.

How long does an artificial tree last outside?

How long an artificial Christmas tree will last outside depends on a number of factors: how exposed it is to the elements, how good it is, and whether it’s intended for outdoor use or just a transplanted indoor tree.

A decent outdoor tree should give you a few holiday seasons, provided you clean and dry it (and make sure it’s bug-free) before tucking it away safely on January 6th each year. If protected from sun and rain, your outdoor tree should do even better.

If you’re worried about exposing a smart new artificial tree to the elements, Do It Yourself With Joe suggests repurposing an old artificial tree for outdoor use. If you have an old tree in your attic or basement, this is a great way to give it a little extra useful life before finally getting rid of it. In this short YouTube film, Joe shows you how to turn an old Christmas tree into a beautiful new porch decoration.

As Joe says, an indoor tree doesn’t last long outside, which is why he advocates installing a used one. The metal parts of the stand and branches are not rust resistant and will deteriorate after spending Christmas outdoors.

summary

We have used dumbbell weights from my lifting set to anchor our outdoor Christmas tree in the past and even tied it down with rope for a year when the wind picked up.

But after looking at it more closely, I think we’ll try the umbrella stand full of water – or even the fence post method.

It’s important that this artificial tree doesn’t fall over in inclement weather as it will mess up all your decorations that can take forever to put up.

However, my children never let me forget that our tree fell over a few years ago. 🙂

Christmas tree stand

If you and your family like having a live tree in your home during the holidays, using the right tree stand is not only a matter of convenience but also of safety. A Christmas tree stand should be wide enough to support the tree while still making good, firm contact with the ground. Choose a tree stand that has an adequate water reservoir and will accommodate the trunk of your chosen tree. If you need to taper the base of the tree to fit the stand, you need a taller tree stand for the safety of your home and family.

advertisement

video of the day

width of the stand

A good Christmas tree stand should be at least 24 to 30 inches in diameter. The larger the diameter of the stand, the greater the support for the tree. This not only ensures that the tree stands upright, but also makes it more difficult for the tree to tip over. It is also important that the tree stand is large enough to hold the full diameter of the tree trunk. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, tapering the base of the tree reduces the surface area that absorbs water.

advertisement

Location of the Christmas tree stand

Place the Christmas tree stand far enough away from the wall so that the branches don’t bend against the wall. If you must leave the tree stand in a spot where the branches will press against the wall, trim the branches so they don’t touch the wall. Branches that have too much contact with the wall can make it difficult to erect the tree in the stand.

advertisement

Keep the tree away from warmer areas such as heater vents as this can cause the tree to dry out and create a fire hazard.

The Christmas tree stand must have firm ground contact for stability. If you have a deep carpet in the room where you plan to put your tree, place a sturdy piece of plywood under the stand (the tree protector will cover it when you cut the board to size).

advertisement

Correct use of the water reservoir

Live Christmas trees need to be constantly submerged in fresh, clean water to keep the tree as moist as possible. Drying trees are an extreme fire hazard. Some Christmas tree stands have a water container in the base that helps keep the tree properly watered.

advertisement

A good rule of thumb is to fill the reservoir with a gallon of water, or add a quarter for every inch of the tree’s trunk diameter. Check the water daily and top up to the original surface level if necessary.

protect hardwood floors

Metal Christmas tree stands can easily scratch hardwood floors when you set up the tree. To protect your hardwood floors, put something on the ground where the tree will stand. Non-slip carpet backing or foam-based kitchen mats are good options. Also, make sure there is something under the stand to protect hardwood floors from unexpected spills or water leaks.

Nothing spoils the Christmas spirit like a conifer dispute: the inevitable argument between two people trying to steady a newly acquired tree in a tricky, choppy state. If you’ve decided on a real tree over an artificial one and want to avoid that seasonal struggle, the Krinner Tree Genie XXL is the best stand available. We’ve made it our choice since 2012 after considering more than 25 stands and testing five, and it’s stood the test of time for a number of our employees over the years. We also recommend a good pair of Christmas lights to suit your tree, real or faux.

A unique design makes clamping a tree into the Krinner much easier than any type of stand we’ve found. The Krinner grips the log with five claws, which you tighten by stepping on a ratchet foot pedal, rather than turning a set of screws into the bottom of the log like almost every other log stand. That means average sized and smaller trees, around 6 to 7 feet tall, can be set up with just one person. No other tree stand does anything like this. The Krinner can handle a variety of log diameters (even very small ones), it’s extremely strong and attractive, and the included 2½ gallon reservoir has a gauge to tell you the water level. Priced at around $100, the Krinner isn’t cheap, but it’s so superior to the competition that we think it’s a worthwhile investment.

advertisement

We also like the Cinco C-144E Express, which remains a reliable backup choice even after several years of considering new models. It’s sturdy and its large 3-gallon reservoir has an overflow basin to catch any drips. The downside is that the tree is secured with four cumbersome hand-turned bolts, but they have a quick-release buckle – this speeds up the process considerably and sets this stand apart from many other similar designs. It’s not as easy to use as the Krinner and not as versatile, with a design that only accepts logs larger than 3.5 inches in diameter (that’s a tree about 6½ feet or taller). Finally, this stand is quite large; If you are planning to get a smaller tree, you can upgrade to the Cinco C-148E.

After finding the perfect tree, you need to find the perfect stand.

A Christmas tree is an essential Christmas decoration for many people. The trick is to get the tree to stand. Commercial Christmas tree stands can get the job done, but you may want to add some pizzazz to your holiday by building one yourself or using something unusual to stand your tree. Regardless of the type of stand you use, it’s usually a good idea to wire the top of the tree to a wall or other secure object for added stability.

advertisement

video of the day

blunt

You can add a touch of forest decor to your artificial tree by placing it in a tree stump. To do this you need to cut a piece of tree so that it lies flat on the ground and then drill a hole the size of the artificial tree trunk in the top of the piece of wood. Make sure it’s deep enough to keep the tree stable. This stand alternative should only be used for artificial trees, since the trunks of real trees are usually too large and they do not provide the water that a real tree needs to keep it from drying out.

advertisement

bucket and rocks

A bucket filled with rocks can support a tree, and it works for both a real tree and an artificial one. You can use any type of bucket, but a larger tree may need a larger bucket. In order to keep your tree stable, you should first place the tree in the bucket and then fill it all around with stones and gravel. If you are using a live tree you would pour in water once you have a good base of rocks in the bucket. If the bucket has a lid, you can cut a hole in the lid and insert the log into it for extra stability. If you’re using a decorative bucket, like an old milk pail or washtub, you may not need to cover it.

advertisement

living tree

An alternative to using a Christmas tree stand is to get a live potted tree. So you have a living tree to plant after Christmas. One of the advantages of a live tree is that the pot acts as a stand. You can cover the pot with Christmas-themed fabric or place it in a decorative container, such as a washtub, large vase, or pot. With a live potted tree, you need to make sure the container is waterproof and the tree stays moist until planting.

advertisement

wood

If you are using an artificial tree or live tree for a very short period of time, you can use two two by four pieces of wood to build a tree stand. To do this you will need to cut each piece two by four about 3 feet long or longer for tall trees. Then you need to mark a space in the middle of each 2 x 4 that is the width of a 2 x 4, which is about 3 1/2 inches. You will need to use a saw to cut halfway through each two-by-four on each line, and then use a chisel to remove the wood between the saw cuts. Once you’ve done that, you can fit the two cuts together so that the two pieces of wood together have the thickness of two by four, with the two by four pieces perpendicular to each other in the shape of a plus sign. You can then nail this homemade tree stand to the base of a real tree, or nail the two pieces together and drill a hole for the trunk of an artificial tree.

reinforcement

Edit] Introduction

Rebar, also known as rebar and rebar, is a steel bar or braid of steel wires used in reinforced concrete and masonry structures to reinforce the concrete and keep it in tension. To improve the quality of the bond with the concrete, the surface of rebars is often patterned.

Reinforcement is necessary to compensate for the fact that concrete is strong in compression but relatively weak in tension. Casting rebar into concrete allows it to carry tensile loads, increasing overall strength.

Various uses of rebar include:

Standards for the specification of reinforcing bars are set out in: BS 4449: 2005 Steel for the reinforcement of concrete. Weldable rebar. Bar, coil and decoiled products. specification

Rebars are usually made of mild steel or high strength steel with a characteristic tensile strength of 250 or 250 N/mm2. The constituents of these two grades are approximately 99% iron, along with manganese, carbon, sulfur and phosphorus. The quality and grade of the steel depends on the carbon content. Cold rolled mild steel contains about 0.25% carbon while high strength hot rolled steel contains about 0.40%.

Rods can be made in different shapes:

Round.

Twisted Square.

Ribbed.

Stretched, twisted and ripped.

Ribbed and twisted.

Steel reinforcement mesh or fabric can be manufactured in a variety of formats in accordance with BS 4483: Steel fabric for the reinforcement of concrete. Specification.

The standard panel size is 4.8m long x 2.4m wide. It is formed by braiding or electronically welding the wires so that it can withstand normal handling. It can be made in different ways for different applications:

Square Mesh: Mesh size of 200mm x 200mm, weight range of 1.54-6.16 kg/sq. m. Usually used for floor slabs.

Rectangular mesh: mesh size 200 mm x 100 mm, weight range 3.05-10.9 kg/sqm. m. Usually used for floor slabs.

Long meshes: Mesh size of 100mm x 400mm, weight range of 2.61-6.72 kg/sq. m. Typically used in road and sidewalk construction.

Wrapping fabric: mesh size of 100 mm x 100 mm. Usually used in hanging or ground-supported slabs.

METRIC ROD SIZE LINEAR MASS DENSITY (kg/m) NOMINAL DIAMETER (mm) CROSS SECTIONAL AREA (mm2) 6.0 0.222 6 28.3 8.0 0.395 8 50.3 10.0 0.617 10 78.5 12.0 0.888 12 113 14, 0 1.21 14,154 16.0 1.58 16,201 20.0 2.47 20,314 25.0 3.85 25,491 28.0 4.83 28,616 32.0 6.31 32,804 40.0 9 .86 40 1257 50.0 15.4 5.4 5.4

Reinforcement cages are either prefabricated or made on site using hydraulic bending machines and shears. Site workers, known as steel fixers, place the rebar and ensure adequate concrete cover and bedding. Reinforcement cages are connected either by spot welding, tying steel wire or with mechanical connections. Mechanical connections, also known as “couplers” or “splices”, are an effective means of reducing rebar jams in heavily reinforced areas for cast-in-place structures.

Rectangular stirrups are attached to the outer portion at regular intervals along a column or beam to prevent shear failure.

For safety reasons, during storage on site, protruding ends of the rebars should be bent over or protected with colored plastic “mushroom caps”.

Although the rebar has ribs that mechanically bind it to the concrete, high stresses can still pull the rebar out of the concrete, leading to structural instability and eventual failure. To prevent this, the rebar must be deeply embedded in adjacent members (40 to 60 times the diameter), which increases the friction that holds the bar in place. Alternatively, the rebar can be bent and hooked at the ends to lock it around the concrete and other sections of rebar, taking advantage of the high compressive strength of the concrete.

Steel rebar can also be susceptible to corrosion if there is insufficient coverage, which can cause the concrete to spall off the steel and make it less efficient in terms of fire resistance. As a general rule, the minimum cover should not be less than the maximum size of the aggregate in the concrete or the largest size of the rebar (whichever is larger).

NB: In November 2019 the British Association of Reinforcement (BAR) issued a warning to customers and contractors to check that the precast reinforcement was welded by workers certified to carry out the work. CARES is the certification body for rebars.

Edit] Building related articles on designing