There are a lot of different designs, but one common component that seems to have emerged as a standard is the use of a PVC reducing coupler. That gives you a lot of area for attaching lights and reduces down to a diameter that will "travel" the pole without too much slop. It will allow you to attach the lights at ground level, then pull them all to the top of the pole at once.
I have a much shorter tree so I just use PVC topped with the reducer full of hooks and string it with a ladder.
I used this guys tutorial and just modified the design to fit my needs:
You are not allowed to view links.
Register or
LoginGood luck and most of all, have fun with it!