The Ultimate Guide To Tree Braids

Tree braids are popular among naturals, and they are a style that you can do on your own at home. Learning how to do tree braids is complicated and takes some skill.

So, how can you do this stunning hairstyle with a flawless result? And how do you maintain the braids once you have them? In this post, you’ll find out all about how to install tree braids, and you’ll learn how to take care of them too.

 What are Tree Braids?

African tree braids are a protective extension style that gets its name from resembling a tree. The hair is attached and braided on to the root, but then it branches out and is left unbraided until it reaches the ends.

Doing your hair this way can give you the security of individual braids with the look of free-flowing hair. It’s secure because you’re tying the extension hair into a knot to prevent slippage.

How long does your hair have to be for tree braids? If you’re looking to do tree braids on short hair, you’re in luck. You can do tree braids on hair that is two inches or longer. Be cautious about which hair you choose, as certain hair brands can slip out, regardless of how long your hair is.

Plus, the tree braids protective style is faster to do than traditional box braids because you don’t have to braid to the ends.

Tree Braids on Natural Hair

If you have natural hair, you’re probably wondering which extension styles will look best. Tree braids will look amazing, but be sure to deep condition and stretch your natural hair first.

You can do tree braids with straight hair, but it’s not necessary, and flat ironing defeats the purpose of it being protective. Your best bet is to stretch the hair before the installation. Stretched hair will be much easier to work with than completely shrunken hair, and it will blend with the tree braids better.

What type of hair should you choose for tree braids? The best hair for tree braids is the one that has the texture and color you like for a good price. You can use either synthetic or human hair for this job, but many naturals like to do tree braids with

because it’s light.

is another popular choice. They’ll have different colors, and you’ll be able to do kinky and curly tree braids too.

How to do Tree Braids

Tree braiding is easier when you’re well-organized and ready for the install. Have several clips, the hair, and a rattail comb on hand.

Begin by sectioning out small bits of extension hair and laying them on a flat surface so you can pick them up quickly while you work through your hair.

It’s easy to begin at one ear and work toward the middle of your head. Follow these steps:

1. Part and section about a half-inch of hair with a rattail comb.
2. Cornrow your own hair and add a loop of the extension hair.
3. Continue to cornrow, but leave small amounts of the extension hair out each time you cross over the middle strand.
4. Tie a knot when you’re ready for the braid to stop. You’ll probably decide to stop just under the end of your natural hair.

Here’s a helpful video:

Tree Braids Vs. Micro Braids

It’s good to look at tree braids pros and cons and compare the style against other braiding techniques. A significant difference between small tree braids and micro braids is that tree braids use a cornrow method and micro braids don’t.

With tree braids, the hair is attached from the edges and continues back. With micro braids, the hair is braided off the head, and you only attach it at one single point.

Tree braids tend to be more protective and less tight on the root because the cornrows themselves are a protective style.

If you’re doing tree braids with micro edges, be sure not to pull the extension hair too tight. You don’t want damage to your edges and alopecia for years to come. You might want to consider not braiding the edges at all.

Invisible Braids Vs. Tree Braids

Invisible braids and tree braids both begin with a braid and stop a short way down so that the braid is barely visible. Both styles are versatile and provide a different look than individual or box braids.

Invisible braids are similar to tree braids, but the hair is not cornrowed. With invisible braids, you are braiding part of the hair outward from the head and then leaving the rest free-flowing.

Invisible braids tend to be much smaller than both micro and tree braids, and that’s where the name comes from.

However, there are also invisible tree braids, and that term refers to tree braids that are so tiny that they are barely detectable.

How are Tree Braids Installed?

Tree braids are installed by making tiny cornrow braids with the extension hair and leaving out small amounts as you go. Leaving the extension hair out along the way is the key to making the tree braid style.

You’ll need much less time to install them than you would with regular box braids, and making a cornrow for the hair is more protective than only attaching it to a few strands.

Tree braids take 3-4 hours, which is about half the time it takes to do full braids.

How much do tree braids cost? Expect to pay $110-$200 if you go to a salon, plus the cost of the hair. You’ll need 2-3 packs of hair for the tree braids installation.

How to Maintain Tree Braids

How long do tree braids last? Tree braids last for 4-8 weeks, but it ultimately depends on how well you maintain them. Taking care of your tree braids can be tricky because you want to cleanse the scalp, but you don’t want to ruin the braids that you spent hours working on.

Another thing to consider is that cleansers can easily get trapped between the layers of braid, making them look filmy instead of shiny.

Curious about how to wash tree braids? Try placing your shampoo in an applicator or spray bottle, along with some water to dilute it. Then spray the mixture on your scalp. If you use a half and half mixture, you can spray or squirt some onto your scalp without heavily immersing the hair in the product.

Using this method will help to keep your scalp clean without damaging the synthetic hair. Use a leave-in conditioner on both your natural hair underneath and the synthetic hair to keep it untangled and shiny.

If you’re looking for products for tree braids, try a sulfate-free shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner. Also,

is an excellent leave-in conditioner to use on your extension hair.

Is your scalp starting to itch? Apply

 anti-itch growth oil to stop yourself from scratching the follicles.

Use a wide tooth comb on a regular basis to detangle the hair before bed. Hold a section of your hair in your hand and detangle from tip to root.

Protect your hair while you sleep by tying a silk scarf around your head, just like you would do with your natural curls.

Wondering about tree braids and swimming? You can swim with them, but prepare your hair beforehand by coating the hair with a conditioner to guard it. Swimming once or twice is fine, but if you’re on the swim team, you should probably avoid extensions as your natural hair can become too tangled within the synthetic hair.

How to Style Tree Braids

Tree braids hairstyles are versatile. Keep in mind that if you want to wear a high ponytail, you should plan before the installation. Placing some single braids in the back so that the cornrow doesn’t show at the hairline is one way to make sure your ponytail looks good.

Another option is to install the cornrow in the back in the opposite direction so that the leave-out hair is on the other side of the cornrow. So, when you lift it, you get the same look as the front.

If you aren’t doing a high ponytail, you won’t need to do the back in a particular way. Low ponytails and buns look great with tree braids. Or you can do a classy updo for a more professional look.

Tree braids are a gorgeous hairstyle to wear when they’re done right. Now that you know more about tree braids, do you think you’ll give it a try at home?

Tree Braids Vs. Sew-In

If you’re comparing tree braids to a sew-in, you’ll find that they both take around four hours to install. Tree braids give a similar look to a sew-in because the hair is free-flowing, but the small cornrowed braids will be much more visible than if you were to get a weave.

You can do both at home, but you’ll probably find that the tree braids feel more securely attached. Plus, it’s difficult to wash the scalp when you have a sew-in, and this can lead to a host of scalp issues like dandruff and fungus.

Tree Braids Vs. Weave

Tree braids are distinct from a weave because the hair is braided instead of sewn or glued. Both styles are protective, but many naturals find the braids less damaging since the hair is cornrowed first.

Tree braids are also easier to wash since there’s not much problem with them getting wet. On the other hand, weaves require more gentle protection against damage.

Both styles will help you grow your hair if you avoid damaging the root.

Tree Braids Vs. Senegalese Twist

Tree braids and the Senegalese twist have a very different look and technique. Senegalese twists are made by twisting two small sections of your hair into the extension hair. Then you continue twisting.

There are two types of tree braids: Cornrow tree braids and individual tree braids. Cornrow tree braids involve cornrowing your hair and leaving some of the extension hair out. But the second type, individual tree braids, are like a blend of the box braid and the standard tree braid.

Cornrow Tree Braids Vs. Individual Tree Braids

On the other hand, crochet braids use a crochet needle to attach the extension hair onto your natural hair. The natural hair is almost always braided into a cornrow pattern before attaching the hair.

It takes more skill to do the individual tree braids because you’ll need to know how to do a box braid, but then you’ll also need to leave out pieces along the way.

Both styles are attractive, but individual braids take more time and skill than the regular cornrow tree braids.

On the other hand, crochet braids use a crochet needle to attach the extension hair onto your natural hair. The natural hair is almost always braided into a cornrow pattern before attaching the hair.

Cornrows are used with both tree braids and crochet braids, but the two styles differ a lot. Tree braids begin as a cornrow with both your natural hair and the extension hair, and then you leave some of the extension hair out while you braid.

On the other hand, crochet braids use a crochet needle to attach the extension hair onto your natural hair. The natural hair is almost always braided into a cornrow pattern before attaching the hair.

Both styles are protective and take less time to do than traditional box braids.

How to Remove Tree Braids

Wondering how to take down tree braids? All extension styles can be tricky to remove, but the tree braid style will take less time to remove than the box or micro braids. The goal is to remove the tree braids without damaging your natural hair. Do the following steps to ensure safe removal:

1. Detangle the hair with a wide tooth comb.
2. Find one braid and clip back the rest.
3. Cut the extension hair far under where the knot was tied, being careful not to cut your natural hair.
4. Spray the braid with a detangling spray.
5. Unbraid the braid from the bottom up.
6. Unravel the synthetic hair and discard. Then move on to the next braid.

Featured Image: devoutfashion.com