How to Preserve Fall Leaves for Wreath Making

The rich colors of fall can be used to make beautiful crafts by preserving the leaves and branches of trees. The best time to gather the branches is when the leaves have just turned.

Things You'll Need

• Old Towels
• Pruning Shears
• Glycerins
• Saucepans
• 2-gal. Plastic Bucket
• Hammers
• Pruning Saws

Instructions

1. Gather small branches of leaves. If the branches are too tough to be broken off by hand, you may want to use a small handsaw.

2. Set stems of branches (not leaves) in a bucket of warm water for 2 hours.

3. Remove any damaged leaves.

4. Mix two parts water and one part glycerin in a saucepan.

5. Bring to boil, and then let simmer for 10 minutes. Cool.

6. Cut the stem of each branch at an angle, and then smash the tip lightly with a hammer. This allows the branch to take in more of the glycerin mixture.

7. Place branches in the glycerin solution and store in a cool, dark place until little beads of glycerin form on the leaves.

8. Wipe each leaf with a damp towel and hang branch up to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Once dry, the branches can be woven into a wreath or the leaves can be removed to use as decorations.