How to set up your tree in a Bowling's Last Stand
You fit the stand while the tree lies on the floor, then stand it up. No crawling under branches, no second person holding the tree straight.
Before you start, for any size tree: cut the bottom of the trunk straight across. Do not sharpen it like a pencil. A tree drinks water like a straw, and an angled or pointed cut makes it dry out faster. Leave room in the bowl for the trunk and plenty of water.
Three leg stands
Your stand arrives as 4 parts: the bowl and 3 T bolts, already in place.
- Drill
- 1/2 inch drill bit
- Drill the trunkDrill a 1/2 inch hole about 2 inches deep in the center of the bottom of the trunk.
- Lay the tree downLay the tree flat on its side.
- Lay the stand downLay the stand on its side, one leg up and the other two balanced on the floor.
- Fit the spikeSlide the trunk into the bowl so the spike in the bottom of the stand goes into the hole you drilled.
- Snug the T boltsTighten the 3 T bolts until they are snug against the trunk.
- Stand it upLift the tree upright.
- Straighten and tightenAdjust the T bolts to straighten the tree, then tighten them to hold it firmly.
Video: setting up a tree in the 6XTS, 8XTS and 10XTS.
Four leg stands
Your stand arrives as 9 parts: the bowl, 4 T bolts and 4 legs.
- Drill
- 1 inch drill bit
- 3/4 inch open end wrench
- Drill the trunkDrill a 1 inch hole about 2 inches deep in the center of the bottom of the trunk.
- Lay the tree downLay the tree flat on its side.
- Lay the bowl downLay the bowl of the stand on its side.
- Fit the spikePut the bowl on the trunk so the spike in the bottom goes into the hole you drilled.
- Snug the T boltsTighten the 4 T bolts snug to the tree.
- Add two legsBolt on 2 legs with the legs pointing up. Do not use them as levers.
- Stand it upLift the tree upright, then put in the other 2 legs.
- Tighten the legsTighten the 4 bolts on the legs with a 3/4 inch open end wrench.
- Tighten the T boltsTighten the T bolts to hold and straighten the tree.
Video: setting up a tree in the 12XTS.
Three kids and their grandmother put up an 11 foot Fraser fir
Just for fun, we asked our three children, ages 9, 10 and 12, and their grandmother to set up an eleven foot Fraser fir. With the stand, it was a cinch.
Once it is up: spread your decorations evenly around the tree so it stays balanced, and check the water every day. Enjoy a safe holiday.
Still stuck? Call (231) 864 2653 and we will walk you through it.