Christmas is right around the corner and people are busy doing whatever they can to make sure everything is ready for Christmas eve. People buying gifts, people getting the lights ready, sending all the Christmas cards, preparing food for the Christmas feast, and of course the most important one of all – finding the right Christmas Tree.

As what my old man told me, the best trees can’t be found on a shopping mall. That’s why you might need to go on a small road trip if you want the perfect tree. While the road trip in itself might be enjoyable, the ride home might not be as easy. See, carrying a 7-9 foot evergreen can get a little tricky – even dangerous.

But worry not, we’re here to ensure your Christmas is really merry. We’ve listed down tips on how you can transport your Christmas Tree easily and safely. The goal here is to ensure the tree arrives at your place with as little damage as possible without needing special gear. We will be considering various modes of transport so make sure you read through it all.

Safely Transporting a Christmas Tree

1. The first thing you need to do is to prep the tree. You can have the tree netted to make the tree more manageable. This will also reduce any damage to the tree as it keeps the needles from moving around too much.
2. You have two options when transporting trees depending on the car you have – putting them inside the cargo area of your car or placing them on a roof rack.
   • When using the cargo area, make sure that the tree fits snugly. If it does not, opt to put it on a roof rack. Make sure you put a blanket or plastic sheet before placing the tree inside. This is to make sure your cargo hold is protected from the pine needles that may scratch or get lodged into your mat. It’s also a good idea to tie down the tree just to be safe. It might fit snuggly inside the cargo hold but a few bumps here and there might dislodge it.
   • The roof rack is the most common thing people use to transport their trees. It shouldn’t pose much of a problem as long as you prepped the tree properly. It also helps if you position the tree in such a way that the trunk is in front. This reduces the amount of damage, and helps is keeping the car easier to steer. Adding a blanket or tarp is necessary to protect the roof rack and the roof itself. Lastly, tie down the tree as safely as possible to make sure it won’t fly off.
3. Before you start your trip back home, make sure you give your tree a good tug to make sure it is secure.
4. One thing to look out for are hot spots in the cargo area such as in the case of pickup trucks. A place to watch out for is the area near the exhaust pipe. The heat can cause damage to the tree needles which will definitely make the tree a little less perfect.
5. Last thing, wherever you put the tree make sure you can still see the road. Sit on the driver’s chair and check your side and rearview mirror if you have an unobstructed view.

Also, it pays to drive slowly when transporting your tree. This might extend your trip by a couple of hours, this ensures that the tree and the passengers of the car are all safe.

Take your car to T3Atlanta before and after you take your Christmas Tree home. We can help you condition your car and to give you tips on the best way to transport your Christmas Tree. Our resident experts can also add a roof rack to your car in case you need one right away. Contact T3  Atlanta today!