They are strip lights, but the light is mostly omnidirectional, and the strip material is flexible. If you want a dark-colored strip, which looks better on a dark-green tree, here's a non-BTF option: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805412113378.html
I've had a set of these (purchased from Amazon) deployed since October and we've been happy with them. The outdoor strand is run by a QuinLED Dig-Uno board and has stood up to a lot of rain so far. The wires at the end are just flush cut short with the conductors showing, so I made some attempt to weatherproof that spot just in case.
They are strip lights, but the light is mostly omnidirectional, and the strip material is flexible. If you want a dark-colored strip, which looks better on a dark-green tree, here's a non-BTF option: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805412113378.html