How the Christmas tree should look is a matter of taste and sometimes a matter of dispute. But first he has to be brought home after the purchase.
You want to transport a Christmas tree home by car. Depending on the size and growth, this can sometimes be tricky. What applies in any case: The tree must not endanger the occupants or other people.
That means: You can't avoid securing it accordingly - regardless of whether you want to bring the tree home on the roof or inside.
Otherwise, he can pose a danger to everyone if he swerves or brakes hard. In an accident at a speed of 50 km/h, a tree weighing 30 kg turns into a projectile with a force of 750 kg, according to an ADAC crash test.
The following applies to every transport: When buying the tree, it is best to pack it in a net in order to be able to stow it more compactly - but that should now be the rule at many stands.
The tree is considered cargo and must not slip, fall over, roll back and forth or fall. The German Road Safety Council (DVR) reminds you of this and refers to the corresponding paragraph 22 of the Road Traffic Act (StVO).
If you don't secure it properly, you risk a fine of up to 60 euros and a point in Flensburg.
A smaller Christmas tree could still fit across the back seat. Larger ones are stowed in the trunk. The end of the trunk should point in the direction of travel and touch the backrest directly. According to the ADAC, the tree must then be secured with tension belts.
If the trunk no longer closes, the following applies: As soon as the load protrudes more than one meter, it must be marked with a red 30 x 30 centimeter flag, a sign or a cylinder, explains the DVR. For journeys of up to 100 kilometers, the load may protrude up to three meters over the rear, and only 1.50 meters for longer ones.
If you don't mark the overhanging load, you have to expect a fine of 25 euros. In the dark, a light and a reflector are required. The tree must not cover taillights or license plates.
On the roof, the tree - preferably on a roof rack - must be lashed down several times with tension belts and secured in all directions. The experts recommend infinitely adjustable straps. Rubber expanders are not enough.
The ADAC advises that a blanket can help protect the paintwork from scratches. The tree trunk should also point in the direction of travel on the roof.
Safety also comes first on a bike. The same applies here: Always start with a firmly lashed tree, according to the press service Fahrrad (pd-f). It is probably safest if the tree is placed over the handlebars and saddle, fixed and then the bike is pushed.
An extra-long tree may be difficult to transport by bicycle. It is important not to simply tuck the tree under your arm and start cycling - this increases the risk of falling. In addition, both hands should always be on the handlebars, especially on wintry roads.
Not a good idea either: strapping the tree across to the luggage rack. So you run the risk of exceeding the maximum width of the bike of about one meter. In addition, the risk of accidents increases due to the excess width on cycle paths or on the street.
The tree can also come home in a bike cargo trailer. You only have to make sure that the tree can't get caught in the rear wheel when you turn in, according to the pd-f.
There are also large child trailers that have a kind of separate trunk. A smaller Christmas tree can perhaps be put in there standing.
Depending on its size, a Christmas tree can also fit into a cargo bike. The DVR recommends adjustable straps to secure it in place. The tree must not block the view of the cyclists either.
If the transport box is on the rear of the cargo bike and the load protrudes more than one meter, it must be marked with a red flag - as with a car - according to the Road Traffic Regulations and both a red lamp and a red reflector must be attached in the dark.
If, on the other hand, the transport box is at the front of the cargo bike, the Christmas tree must not protrude over it.
