I know it’s early, but I’m already SO excited for Christmas. I finally have my own place this year (and my own Subaru Crosstrek!) so I can ALSO get my own Christmas tree! It’ll be my first time driving a tree home, though. How do you tie a Christmas tree to a car?

Shannon Fitzgerald · Updated on Mar 20, 2023

Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.

Hey, ’tis the season whenever you want it to be!

Before you head off to the first tree farm that opens, make sure you have at least two tarps, some strong bindings and scissors, and your vehicle’s measurements on hand. Now, here’s how to tie a Christmas tree to a car:

Wrap the tree up—this will ensure that pine needles don’t go trailing behind you as you drive over the river and through the woods with your Christmas tree of choice.

Lay a second tarp on the roof—think of it as a Christmas present to your Subaru (scratching up your car’s roof is a great way to kill the holiday spirit anyway).

Place the tree on the roof with the stump facing forward—don’t be like the Griswolds here: make sure that tree actually fits on your roof, and make sure its branches are pointing behind you to prevent wind damage (and a fly-away tree).

Now here’s where the sleigh ride splits. If you have a roof rack or raised roof rails:

Secure one end of your twine to the roof rail.

Wrap the twine around the stump.

Secure the other end of twine to the other roof rail.

Secure the top of the tree the same way.

Tie extra twine over the center of the tree—at least once, but as many times as you want!

While the safest way to transport a Christmas tree is with a roof rack or raised roof rails, you can still get that tree home without them.

If you don’t have a roof rack:

Measure and cut six arm lengths of continuous twine twice.

Gather the ends of the cut twine and create a tight knot—so that you have two big loops.

Holding the loop as a doubled up rope, wrap one end securely around your tree’s stump, leaving some excess on one side (like a tail).

Pull the remaining twine through your open car door, through your car, then connect it to the other end with a tight knot.

Repeat these steps on the other end of the tree.

Fortunately, most Christmas trees will be wrapped in netting to help you keep them safely bundled up for the ride home. You can also always ask one of the Christmas tree-tying experts at the tree farm to give you a hand if you need one!

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