Mega Tree Kit Comparison & Spec Guide
A mega tree — sometimes called a pole tree — uses a single center pole with a hook head at the top and light strings running down to the ground to create a cone silhouette. The concept is straightforward. The engineering differences between kits are not.
Many hobby-grade mega tree kits are designed for smaller builds on lightweight EMT conduit. That works at neighborhood scale. But if you want a 20-foot tree that holds up in real weather, the structural requirements change significantly.
Here is exactly what The Christmas Light Emporium's 20-foot Mega Tree Kit includes — and what you'll add to complete the build.
What the $480 Kit Includes — and What It Doesn't
The kit is the structural hardware package. The center pole conduit and light strings are purchased separately, so plan for those in your budget.
| Component | What's in the Kit |
|---|---|
| Maximum tree height | Up to 20 feet |
| Hook head | 24-peg crank-up style topper — lowers to ground level for attaching strings, then hoists to the top of the pole (requires assembly) |
| Base plate | 12" base plate with 2× 5/16" eye bolts for tying off hoist ropes |
| Guy wire system | 3 guy wires with clamps, 3 ground anchors, and a guy wire adapter |
| Tensioning | 3× 1/2" × 12" turnbuckles and 6 shackles |
| Hoist system | 2 pulleys, 2 hoist ropes, and 5 quick links |
| Star mount | Star mount bushing included for attaching a star topper |
| Price | $480 — structural hardware only |
Not included in the $480 kit (purchased separately):
- The center pole itself — two 10-foot lengths of 1.5" rigid threaded electrical conduit, available at your local hardware store
- A base ring or ground stakes for the ground-level ends of your light strings
- Light strings
Shop Mega Tree Kits & Accessories
Everything in this guide — the 20-foot kit, star toppers, guy wire kits, and adaptors — lives in one place: Mega/Pole Tree Kits and Accessories. Pair it with professional-grade LED light strings to complete the build.
Why Center Pole Diameter Matters
The center pole is the single most important structural element in a mega tree. Rigid threaded electrical conduit is substantially thicker-walled and stiffer than the lightweight EMT conduit many hobby kits are built around — and that stiffness is the pole's resistance to bending under wind load.
At 20 feet, wind force on the light strings and pole creates substantial bending moment at the base. That is why this kit is engineered around 1.5" rigid conduit.
Important note: All mega tree components from The Christmas Light Emporium are designed for use with 1.5" rigid electrical conduit and couplings. They will not work with EMT conduit or plumbing couplings — rigid conduit couplings are thinner than plumbing couplings, and the hook head must slide over them.
The Crank-Up Advantage
A crank-up hook head lowers to ground level so you can attach all your light strings while standing on the ground, then hoist everything to the top of the pole. With a fixed hook head, you're working at the top of a 20-foot pole — either on a tall ladder or rigging strings from below without being able to see what you're doing.
This isn't a convenience feature. It's a safety and quality-of-control issue. Strings attached at ground level get spaced evenly. Strings attached at height get spaced however you can manage.
Guy Wire Engineering
Three-point guy wire stabilization with turnbuckle tensioning is what keeps a 20-foot mega tree vertical through wind events. The kit's three guy wires anchor to three dedicated ground anchors, and the 1/2" × 12" turnbuckles allow precise tension adjustment after installation — critical because ground conditions, pole lean, and string weight distribution are never perfectly symmetric.
Setups without adjustable tensioning hardware provide anchoring but no way to fine-tune cable tension. The difference shows up the first time wind shifts direction and loads one cable more than the others.
What You'll Need Beyond the Kit
The $480 kit covers the structural hardware. To complete the tree you'll still need:
- Two 10-foot lengths of 1.5" rigid threaded electrical conduit — available at most hardware stores. The two sections thread together with a coupling to reach 20 feet.
- A base ring or ground stakes — for anchoring the bottom ends of your light strings at ground level, defining the diameter of the cone shape.
- Light strings — run whatever lighting suits your display from the hook head's 24 pegs down to the ground; at a 20-foot height that creates a full, dense cone silhouette. The Christmas Light Emporium carries the full range of professional-grade LED string lights to pair with the kit.
Accessories
| Accessory | Purpose | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 12" Star Tree Topper | Powder-coated steel frame, 1/2" pipe thread mount | $40 |
| 18" Star Tree Topper | Same construction, larger size | $48 |
| 24" Star Tree Topper | Same construction, largest flat star | $60 |
| 12" 3D Star Tree Topper | Three-panel 3D construction | $80 |
| 33" Bethlehem Star Topper | Elongated Bethlehem shape | $80 |
| M5 LED Light Kits for Stars | Pre-sized cool white LED strings | $26–$79 |
| Guy Wire Kit (extra) | 3× 32 ft galvanized cables + carabiners | $69 |
| Guy Wire Adaptor Kit | Top-of-pole mounting for guy wires + pulleys | $100 |
All star toppers are powder-coated steel with a welded 1/2" pipe thread nipple that threads into the star mount bushing included with the kit.
Bottom Line
A 7-foot mega tree in your front yard is a fun weekend project. A 20-foot mega tree that stays standing through December is a structural build. The hardware needs to match the ambition.
About The Christmas Light Emporium
The Christmas Light Emporium is a direct-to-consumer retailer specializing in professional-grade LED Christmas lights, C7 and C9 bulbs, mini lights, mega tree kits, and commercial lighting accessories. Every product in our catalog is engineered for consistent color, energy efficiency, and the durability serious decorators expect — quality checked and backed by our Reindeer Proof™ Warranty.
We have been helping homeowners, professional installers, and municipalities light up the holidays since 2015. Questions about your project? Our team lives for this stuff.
