How to Create Trees for a Stage Prop

From the audience, your tree will look realistic and lifelike.

Trees are a very common prop in many theaters' scenes. Whether it is a wooded background, some characters taking a stroll through the forest, or an act taking place around the Christmas tree, there are many instances in which you may find yourself needing to create a tree stage prop. Due to the size of trees, it is best not to leave this project until the last minute and, if possible, recruit a few other people to quicken the process.

Things You'll Need

• Foam core board
• Paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Craft glue
• Latex paint
• Paint
• Paint brushes
• Green streamers and garlands
• Green construction paper

Instructions

1. Draw an outline of the trunk and branches using pencil and sketching paper. The trunk and branches can be any size you desire, however, if you are unsure, a good trunk size to start with is about 8 feet. If your sketching paper is not long enough to draw the trunk on one sheet of paper, use several sheets and tape them together. Branches can vary in size. Cut out all of the outlines. These will be your templates when cutting the foam core board.

2. Cut out each section of the tree from the foam core board with a craft knife, using the templates from Step 1. Work slowly and carefully. Don't worry about following the templates exactly, these are just there to serve as guides.

3. Paint a layer of latex paint over each section of the tree and let dry. This makes a smooth surface for you to paint on.

4. Paint your tree. This can be done using any color combinations you like. Try painting a section, then standing back in the audience to see how it looks from a distance. Paint the trunk and all of the branches, then let them sit to dry.

5. Assemble all of the branches to the tree trunk using craft glue. Cut out leaves, individually, from green construction paper and use the craft glue to attach them to the branches. Add the green streamers and garlands around the branches to fill in the extra space. If you do not have time to cut and attach the construction paper leaves, you may omit them and simply use the streamers and garlands instead. Depending on the season in which your production is taking place, your tree may not need any leaves at all.