How to make a wooden Christmas tree

Materials

– (2) 2×6 @ 8ft – untreated lumber
– 1×2 (or 1×3) @ 8ft
– Waterproof Wood Glue
– 2″ brad nails
– Wood Stain or paint (I used this stain)**
– 1 1/4″ wood screws

Tools

– A miter saw
– A drill
– A brad nailer
– Clamps (a 24″ clamp for a shorter tree and a 36″ or 48″ clamp for a taller tree)
– Sandpaper or an orbital palm sander.

Read more: black friday deals on artificial christmas trees

Make a floor-standing Christmas tree

To make a floor-standing Christmas tree, keep the dimensions slim by using narrower strips of wood. This allows for a taller tree without adding width. Fix the wooden triangles at a 15° angle. Decorate the tree with miniature LED lights, globes, and stars either inside or outside.

 

Choose the format of the Christmas tree

For the format of the Christmas tree, you can choose any shape you like for the branches. Whether making a small tabletop tree or a larger floor-standing tree, it’s best to use water-resistant plywood. For a smaller tree, go with 9 mm thick plywood; opt for a larger tree for 12 or 18 mm thick. The drawing provides dimensions for a tree with a height of around 145 cm.

 

Make the ‘branches’

To make the branches for your Christmas tree, choose the number of wood profiles or ‘branches’ you need, typically 4, 6, or 8. Start by cutting out a cardboard template and use a pencil to draw along the edges, marking out the shapes of the branches to ensure consistency. Each branch’s top part should be at a 15° angle, resulting in an attractive pattern when all the branches are arranged.

 

Avoid splitting of the wood

To prevent the wood from splitting and facilitate the usage of the jigsaw, drill holes at the internal angles of the branches using an 8 mm wood drill. By doing so, you can avoid any potential wood splitting issues.

 

Saw out the branches

You can use the jigsaw to cut out the first complete profile or branch of the tree. Take it slow and steady, allowing the power tool to do the work. Ensure that you use a sharp saw blade and carefully follow the pencil lines.

 

Use the first branch as a template

Smooth the sawn edges with sandpaper, and use the first branch of the tree as a template for all the other branches. Draw along the edges with a pencil until you have marked out the complete outline of the next branch. Make efficient use of your plywood panel by carefully fitting the profiles onto it.

 

Saw out the branches

I would use the jigsaw to cut out the shapes of all the branches. For the straight edges, I’d recommend using a circular saw to cut them to the desired size. Don’t forget to remove any splinters and smooth the edges with sandpaper (grain size 180).

 

Make the connecting pieces of the Christmas tree

1. Cut out the connecting pieces from the remaining plywood panel. They should measure around 40 x 370 mm.

2. Drill 8 mm holes at the ends of the connecting pieces. These holes will be used to attach the lengths of sisal rope that will hold the branches of the tree together.

 

Assemble the Christmas tree

Assembling the Christmas tree, start by placing the two branches that are directly opposite to each other. Then, arrange the four remaining branches accordingly. To ensure they stay together, use an 8 mm drill to create a hole at the top of each branch, and neatly tie them together using sisal rope.

 

Assemble the connecting pieces

Assembling the connecting pieces involves using sisal rope to tie them together. This ensures that the 6 branches are evenly spaced and held together at the center. Sisal rope is recommended for its attractive look and feel, which complements the natural plywood used to make the Christmas tree.

 

Decorate Your Christmas Tree!

– Get creative and let your imagination run wild.
– String Christmas lights around the tree and use the Luminations Light Wizard to plug them in.
– Add fake snow, attach garlands, hang ornaments, or use a tree skirt. Make the tree look perfect, just the way you want it!