Over The Top Christmas Lights
2014 - Behind the Scenes - Mega Tree Base


I used 36" of 4" x 4" steel tube 3/16" thick, 4" x 4" steel plate 1/4" thick, 4' of 6" PVC pipe, 6" cap, 6" cleanout plug and coupling, 4 - 18" long 3/8" rebar, 24" piece and 48" piece of 1/2" PVC, 1/2" slip x thread coupling, 1/2" thread male slip female coupling, PVC glue, Black paint to control rust, 1000 pounds of concrete, and assorted screws.

I had the 4" x 4" plate welded to the bottom of the 4" x 4" pipe and drilled a 3/4" hole in center to be used as a drain. I glued the slip x thread coupling to the end of the 24" PVC and the male thread female slip coupling to the 48" pipe. I drilled a 7/8" hole in the middle of the 6" cap. The inside of the 4" x 4" steel pipe and the drilled hole at bottom was all painted to protect from rust.

The 6" coupling was glued to one end of the PVC pipe. The 4" x 4" pipe was slid in the PVC and the 3.5" x 3.5" pipe was then slid inside that and was all measured to find where the 4" x 4" pipe should be mounted inside the PVC pipe. Once that was found 1/2" holes were drilled in PVC for the rebar to slide through. This was done in a way that the 4" x 4" pipe would be held up in the right position and also so that the drain pipe would fit in between the rebar pieces. The 4" x 4" and 3.5" x 3.5" pipes were then removed. The 6" cap was glued to the other end of the PVC and the 24" piece of 1/2" pipe was slid in from the inside. The 4" x 4" pipe was slid in the 6" pipe and the 48" piece of 1/2" PVC was slid inside and screwed into the 24" piece.

Screws were then screwed into the PVC in a way to center the 4" x 4" pipe inside the PVC. Doing so also held it in place so it would not move when the concrete was poured in it. More screws were screwed into the PVC to hold it in the concrete. I also drilled more 1/2" holes for more rebar at the base of the PVC.

A hole was dug 4' deep and wide enough for the rebar to fit. The PVC piece was tested in the hole and the 1/2" drain pipe was cut so the 6" pipe would sit flat on the bottom of the hole. Duct Tape was used to cover the 4" x 4" pipe to keep concrete out of it. 80 pounds of concrete was then mixed and poured inside the PVC pipe. Make sure you do this in the dug hole as this pipe will then be too heave to move around much. This then needs to set over night.

The next day, I took the duct tape off and slide the 3.5" x 3.5" pipe inside and leveled. I placed more duct tape around 3.5" x 3.5" pipe down to 4" x 4" pipe to keep concrete out. I poured another 900 plus pounds of concrete in the hole making sure the upright pipe stayed level. once the concrete set a while I filled with fill dirt, packed, and leveled. I removed the 3.5" x 3.5" pipe cleaned and screwed the cleanout cap on.

A winch system will then be used to raise and lower the tree. Not sure if this is a system designed and built by someone committed to Christmas or by somemone that should just be committed.

Click on a picture to enlarge it.


The parts used to make the base of the Mega Tree.

The holes were then drilled both in the PVC cap and the bottom of the 4" x 4" pipe.

The coupling was glued on and the cap screwed on to check.

The 4" x 4" pipe was put inside the PVC pipe then the 3.5" x 3.5" pipe was slid inside the 4" x 4" and measured to see where to drill holes for the rebar at bottom.

Holes were drilled and rebar inserted. The drain pipe was put in place. Screws were used to center the 4" x 4" pipe. More rebar and screws was put in PVC to hold all in place in concrete.

The hole was dug and the PVC pipe was put in place. Concrete was poured inside PVC to hold 4" x 4" pipe in place during use.

The 3.5" x 3.5" pipe placed inside 4" x 4" pipe and leveled. Concrete was poured in hole 3' deep (1000 pounds) then topped off with fill.

The 3.5" x 3.5" pipe was removed and the clean out cover was screwed in place.

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