How to Choose a Giant Outdoor Christmas Tree for Your Business

A giant outdoor Christmas tree does more work than any other holiday decoration. It tells people your hotel, shopping center or neighborhood is open for the season, it becomes the backdrop for thousands of photos, and it often sets the tone for an entire December. It is also a large purchase that you will live with for many seasons. This guide walks through the decisions that matter, in the order you should make them.

1. Start with the site, not the tree

Before you look at styles, walk the space where the tree will stand. Three measurements decide almost everything else:

• Clear height. Check for awnings, signs, overhead wires and tree branches. Outdoors, the sky is not always the limit.
• Footprint. A full commercial tree is wide at the base. Leave room for people to walk around it and to gather in front of it for photos.
• Viewing distance. A tree seen from a parking lot or across a plaza needs more height than one seen at a building entrance.

Also note where the nearest outdoor power outlet is. Every tree in our artificial Christmas tree collection is pre-lit, so power access is part of choosing the spot.

2. Choose the right height for the space

Height is the first thing visitors notice and the main driver of price. As a practical guide:

• 9.8–13 ft: building entrances, hotel porte-cocheres, restaurant patios, storefronts and large private driveways.
• 15–19.7 ft: courtyards, shopping center entrances, office campuses and HOA common areas.
• 20 ft and taller: town squares, public plazas and open mall atriums where the tree is the main event.

When in doubt, go one size up for outdoor spaces. Open sky makes trees look smaller than they do in a showroom, and a tree that feels slightly too tall on paper usually looks right in place.

3. Pick the lighting style

Lighting is what people remember after dark, and it is where commercial trees differ most.

Warm white LED

Warm white is the classic choice for hotels, upscale retail and corporate campuses. It reads as elegant and works with any brand color. The Warm White Outdoor LED tree uses more than 2,000 warm white LEDs with DMX control, so you can keep a steady glow or add programmed effects.

Color-changing RGB

RGB lighting lets one tree change color, run sequences and match events, from a red-and-green December to team colors for a game night. The Spectrum Outdoor RGB LED tree uses 2,000+ RGB LEDs controlled through DMX.

Music-synchronized shows

For plazas and shopping centers that want a nightly attraction, a tree that syncs its lights to music draws crowds and keeps them longer. The Grand Outdoor Music-Sync LED tree pairs warm LEDs with a DMX system built for music-driven light shows.

Red statement trees

If you want something more distinctive than a traditional green tree, our Crimson styles, such as the Crimson Glow and Crimson Luxe, make a bold, photo-ready centerpiece.

4. Check the frame and the base

An outdoor tree has to stand up to wind, crowds and repeated setup. Look for:

• A steel or steel-and-aluminum frame rather than lightweight plastic poles.
• A freestanding base that does not depend on staking into soil, which matters on plazas and paved courtyards.
• Sectional or foldable construction, so the tree can be assembled on site and stored compactly after the season.
• UV resistance for trees that will stand in direct sun for weeks.

Even with a strong frame, follow local rules for anchoring large structures and plan for extra ballast in very windy locations.

5. Plan setup, storage and timing

A giant tree is a small installation project. Decide early who will assemble it, how it will reach the site and where it will be stored from January to November. A foldable steel frame makes storage far easier than a rigid structure.

Timing matters most. Commercial buyers usually want the tree standing before Thanksgiving, so order as early in the fall as you can. That leaves time for delivery, setup and testing the lights before your opening or event date.

6. Artificial vs. live: why most businesses switch

A live tree of this size has to be cut, transported by crane, watered, and thrown away every January. An artificial commercial tree is a one-time purchase that returns every year with the same shape and built-in lighting. Over several seasons, it is usually the more predictable cost, with no dropped needles and no annual sourcing.

Frequently asked questions

How tall should a commercial Christmas tree be?

For a building entrance, 10–13 ft is usually enough. For a courtyard or shopping center, look at 15–20 ft. Town squares and open plazas typically need 20 ft or more to stand out.

Can a giant artificial Christmas tree stay outside all season?

Yes. Outdoor commercial trees are built for seasonal outdoor display, with metal frames and outdoor-rated lighting. Secure the tree properly and check it after severe weather.

Do these trees come with lights?

Yes. Every tree in our collection is pre-lit with integrated LEDs, so there are no strings to wrap.

Warm white or RGB lights?

Choose warm white for a timeless, upscale look. Choose RGB if you want color-changing effects, themed events or a light show.

Can I order several trees for one property?

Yes. For multi-tree projects or help choosing sizes, email us at support@ojadecor.com with your location and the space you are decorating.

Find your tree

Browse every size and lighting style in our artificial Christmas trees, or explore year-round options in commercial artificial trees for your lobby, patio and entrance.