How to Keep Shrubs Healthy While Holiday Lights Are Up

Twinkle lights are magical, but fried shrubs are not. If you’re decking the landscaping this season, a few smart moves will keep your landscape merry and bright without sacrificing plant health. At ArborLawn, we love a festive yard as much as anyone, and we’re here to make sure your greenery still looks great come spring. Here are our tips on how to keep your shrubs healthy while holiday lights are up.

Choose Plant-Safe Lighting

Swap old incandescent strings for cool-burning LEDs. These bulbs use less energy, produce less heat, and are lighter on branches. You should also check wattage and total load per circuit to avoid overheating cords that rest on mulch or bark.

Hang, Don’t Strangle

Avoid tight wraps that cinch twigs and young trunks. Instead, gently drape lights and secure with soft, plant-friendly clips or ties. Keep wire tension light, and give leaders and branch collars breathing room so they can expand naturally during freeze-thaw cycles.

Mind the Mulch & Moisture

Mulch is a holiday hero, but don’t bury cords under deep piles where heat can build. Keep a 2–3″ layer, pulled back a few inches from trunks and stems. If the ground is dry before a deep freeze, water evergreens and new plantings. Hydrated roots handle winter stress better, even with décor overhead.

Protect the Root Zone

In beds, route cords along hardscape, edging, or staking paths, not across root flares. For trees, place plugs and connections off the soil on bricks or hangers to reduce moisture exposure and tripping hazards. Use outdoor-rated cords and GFCI outlets only.

Prevent Breakage in Snow & Wind

Lansing winter weather can flip fast. Avoid loading lights at the very tips of branches where ice accumulates. Secure strands close to structural limbs and remove heavy décor before storms. After wet snow, gently brush off weighed-down evergreens to prevent split leaders.

Set Smart Timers

Give plants “dark hours” with dusk-to-dawn or 4–6 hour timers. Less runtime means less heat, weight, and cord stress—plus a smaller energy bill.

Post-Holiday Cleanup Matters

Don’t yank; unwind. Remove clips and ties promptly in January so they don’t girdle spring growth. Inspect bark for scuffs, refresh mulch, and schedule a late-winter health check if branches took a beating.

Wrap-Up with ArborLawn Care

A little planning keeps your beds and shrubs cheerful and healthy all season. If you’d like a pro to assess plant structure, advise on safe holiday lighting, or prep landscaping beds for winter, ArborLawn has your back. We also keep properties in top shape year-round with mole control, shrub pruning services, and mosquito control for the seasons ahead. If you have questions or want expert help on hanging those lights, contact us at (517) 882-1941.