Carrying Christmas tree by car, how to do it without risk

If you have a station wagon or a suv of adequate size, like the Volkswagen Passat or the Tiguan, transporting the Christmas tree certainly does not pose problems, not even if instead of the box of the artificial one you have to stow inside car a natural fir. Far more complex instead to place on board the Christmas tree if the car is compact or small and, of course, even if the fir is of considerable size. When using the trunk, by breaking down a part of the rear seat backrest, it is still necessary to lock the tree (which if it is alive has its mass represented by the clod of earth) with a rope or, better still, a luggage belt. This in order to avoid that braking or other sudden maneuvers make it move hitting the driver or passengers. It should be remembered that this type of 'seasonal' transport is regulated by articles 61 and 164 of the Highway Code which generally establish that the load must be positioned in such a way as not to reduce visibility to the driver or to prevent him from having freedom of movement in the guide. The same rules must be observed if the Christmas tree travels on the roof: the fixing to the luggage rack or to the bars must be done in such a way as to avoid its fall or (as can happen for smaller branches) the dispersion. For this purpose, two tips: if possible, place the fir in a plastic bag or a net and place it with the tip facing forwards so that the air flow goes in the direction of the branches and does not make them instead raise. And the load must be blocked with non-elastic ropes or, better, with the special luggage racks. This type of load - the Code specifies - must not compromise the stability of the vehicle or even mask the lighting and visual signaling devices and the number plates, something that could happen trying to transport a Christmas tree with city cars or sports cars. Be careful not to make the fir stick out (it is forbidden) which is possible from the rear up to a maximum of 3/10 of the car's length. A lateral overhang of up to 30 centimeters from the front and rear position lights is also permitted. It is also advised not to keep the rear door raised to place the long spruce in the car, a very forbidden operation - then - if in doing so the license plate is no longer visible. They are transportable - as long as the car has suitable characteristics - even the maxi Christmas trees to be placed on the roof and using a suitable luggage rack. Only provided, however, that the overall dimensions remain within the limits established by the Code, ie 2.5 meters in width, 4 in height (vehicle + mast) and 7.5 in length, always taking into account the 3/10 rule of rear overhang.