How to Make a Tiny Christmas Tree From Cuttings

Dazzle your friends and family with this tiny Christmas tree. It looks like a living tree, but is actually a mock topiary made from Oasis floral foam, plaster of paris and garden trimmings. This project is easy to put together, and you can save the base to use for projects later in the year.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Evergreens Trimmings
• Plaster Of Paris
• Oasis Floral Foam
• Aluminum Foil
• Garden Shears
• Miniature Christmas Tree Ornaments
• Planting Containers
• Aluminum Foil
• Bamboo Pole

1. Soak a 4-inch clay pot in a bucket of water. This step will prevent the pot from cracking when you pour in the plaster of paris.

2. Remove the clay pot from the bucket and let it dry for an hour or so.

3. Soak 1/4 of a block of Oasis floral foam in water. The foam is thoroughly saturated when it sinks to the bottom of the container or sink that you're soaking it in.

4. Cut a shopping bag full of evergreen trimmings from your garden. The cuttings should be 3 to 6 inches long. Some types of greens that work well are redwood, juniper, cedar, pine and podocarpus (fern pine).

5. Cut a straight stick 12 to 14 inches long, or use a piece of bamboo stake. The stick will support the foam and will be permanently embedded in the plaster. Select a stick that is 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter.

6. 

   Cover the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot with aluminum foil, newspaper or tape. This will prevent the plaster of paris from leaking out of the hole and making a mess all over your work surface.

7. Mix 2 cups plaster of Paris with 2 cups water in a disposable container. Add more water as necessary until the plaster has the consistency of sour cream. This will set up quickly, so have everything you need right on hand: pot with covered drain hole and the stick.

8. Pour the plaster into the prepared pot.

9. 

   Place the stick into the plaster. You may need to support it until the plaster sets up, usually not longer than 3 or 4 minutes. Allow the plaster-filled pot to dry for at least 1 hour.

10. 

    Slide the Oasis floral foam onto the stick lengthwise. Trim the rectangular block into the shape of a cone. The top of the cone should be blunt.

11. 

    Push pieces of the evergreen cuttings stem-first into the Oasis, starting at the bottom.

12. 

    Continue adding greens until the Oasis is no longer visible. After you've finished adding greens, use your clippers and give the little "tree" a trim to remove any wayward "branches."

13. 

    Decorate your little tree with miniature ornaments and garland.

Tips & Warnings

• These mock trees will last several weeks indoors, depending on how warm you keep your house. Mist your tree frequently to prevent it from drying out.
• Macaroni can be sprayed gold and used to create your own ornaments or garland. Miniature strings of lights are available from craft stores.
• Make a star for the top of the tree from aluminum foil.
• Miniature trees make wonderful hostess gifts during the holidays.
• Keep the plaster-filled pot base for projects later in the year.

Resources

• Letter From Santa
• Christmas Recipes

[justmesf]

on 11/12/2009 This would be incredible for residents of nursing homes.

[CHULITA]

on 9/9/2008 THIS SOUNDS LIKE A FUN THING TO DO! AND IT SOUNDS COOL I GIVE 100 STARS IF IT WAS AVALIBLE! BUT FOR 5 IT THE HIGHEST RATE! HA HA! BYE!