Pest-Free Pinecone Ornaments

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Joy A. Goforth

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Photo Credit: Joy Goforth

This pretty pinecone ornament is easy to make, pest-free and ready to decorate a tree or wrapped gift.

Nothing excites me more than to find a project that’s beautiful, practical, easy and, best of all, inexpensive. I love working with fresh pinecones because they add such a natural texture and contrast to holiday greenery. And as luck would have it, you can find an abundance of fresh pinecones in most areas of the country.

Okay, admit it. At least once in your life, you’ve gleefully collected a basket of pinecones with visions of natural holiday decorations dancing in your head…only to discover that by simply setting the cones on your kitchen table, you’ve somehow awakened hundreds of six- and eight-legged creatures who are now scrambling for safety anywhere they can find it. You think to yourself, “Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time,” then toss the cones out in your back yard.

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Photo Credit: Joy Goforth

Place your collected pinecones in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet.

You were absolutely right: It is a good idea. And if you follow a few simple steps, you can make perfect bug-free pinecone ornaments that can be added to any indoor tree, swag, centerpiece, wreath or package. Here’s how:

Step 1: Collect any-size pinecones either from the ground or right off a tree.

Step 2: Place cones on a foil-lined baking sheet, and put into a 225-degree-F oven. If the cones are already open, bake for 30 minutes – this will be enough time to ensure your cones are pest-free.

Tips

If you’d like your finished cones to have white tips, paint your closed cones with white acrylic paint before placing them in the oven. (Just keep the coat thin and even. Paint that’s too thick may keep the cone from opening properly.)

Faqs

Q: What can I do about the prickly barbs on the pinecone?
A: Those prickly barbs are called umbels. (And depending on the species of pine you’re working with, they can be pretty mean.) Umbels can be cut off easily with fingernail clippers. Note: Removing them is especially wise if children will be working with the cones.

Tools

If you’d like to use your dried cones in arrangements, just use a floral pick and some extra wire. The wire can be looped around the lower part of the cone and discreetly pulled to the bottom. Then tightly wrap it around the pick and secure it with some florist tape.

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