How to Create Your Own Wildlife Tree

A Wildlife Tree, which includes a variety of handmade edible ornaments hung on an outdoor tree, adds color and interest to the winter landscape in your yard. At the same time the ornaments provide nourishment for birds and other creatures when natural food sources are scarce. Cranberry wreaths, raisin icicles, crabapple bundles and citrus cups are among a few of the ornaments that decorate the annual Wildlife Tree at Longwood Gardens' (Kennett Square, Pennsylvania) Christmas celebration each year. Below are instructions for four of the ornaments that grace Longwood's Wildlife Tree.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Medium gauge floral wire
• Cranberries
• Raffia and/or colored ribbon
• Scissors
• Wire cutters
• Waxed dental floss
• Raisins
• Raffia and/or colored ribbon
• Scissors
• Needle
• Heavy gauge florist wire
• Crabapples or small apples
• Wire cutters
• Oranges or grapefruits
• Birdseed
• Raffia and/or colored ribbon
• Scissors

Cranberry wreaths

1. Cut a 12- to 16-inch piece of medium gauge florist's wire and bend one end to form a right angle.
2. Push cranberries (bottom to top, not through the sides) onto the wire.
3. Fill to within 1 inch of the end.
4. Bend wire into a circular shape and twist the ends together to secure the cranberries.
5. Add a raffia bow, if desired.

Raisin icicles

6. Thread a large needle with waxed dental floss.
7. String raisins to form 1.5 to 2 foot lengths.
8. Tie a knot around the bottom raisin to secure the strand.
9. Tie raffia or a colorful ribbon at the top to hang the raisin icicle on the tree.

Crabapple bundles

10. Thread a crabapple (or small apple) through the heavy gauge wire, top to bottom.
11. Secure by bending a hook in the wire and securing to the bottom of the apple.
12. Bend the wire into a horseshoe shape.
13. Add the second apple on the other end by following Steps 1 and 2.
14. This ornament should be hung by securely placing it over a tree branch(es).

Citrus cups

15. Halve a grapefruit or orange and scrape out the pulp.
16. With the scissors poke three equally spaced holes through the skin, about 1/2 inch down from the top. Poke another small hole in the bottom for drainage.
17. Thread a 10 to 12-inch piece of raffia or ribbon through the holes and secure each piece with a knot.
18. Center the three strings together approximately 5 inches above the citrus cup and tie in a knot.
19. Fill the cup with birdseed and hang on your Wildlife Tree.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep finished fruit ornaments in the refrigerator until ready to hang outside on the tree.
• Refresh the ornaments throughout the winter to provide food for the wildlife.
• Enjoy the pulp and juice of the citrus cups yourself. It doesn't make sense to throw the best part away!
• If visiting Longwood Gardens during its annual Christmas celebration, stop by the Wildlife Tree, which is located near the Peirce House.
• Kids of all ages will enjoy making these ornaments and watching the birds and other creatures that visit the Wildlife Tree.
• The December 2001 "Ranger Rick" article titled "Get Out! - how to create edible tree ornaments to feed wildlife," suggests that for regions with snow, Wildlife Snowmen can be created.
• Remove dental floss, wire, raffia and ribbons when the food is gone to prevent them from blowing away and trashing the environment.

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