In my "future" design for some Smart String lighted poles, the number of pixels would be small enough that I could use one SSC for 2 poles.
But, because of the distance between some of the poles, I am going to use one SSC per pole. Two reasons - first, medium to long runs of wire degrade the data signal between pixels; second - much easier to replace a single pole (or candy cane) when something happens. I have cats that love LED lights. Not my cats, but they don't seem to care.