Make a Mini Tree…“Fir” Pennies

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Veronica Lorson Fowler

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Photo Credit: Veronica Lorson Fowler

Whether on your mantel or tabletop, your homemade mini tree will last for a few to several weeks – especially in cooler conditions and if you add water regularly.

By the time November rolls around (or the colder weather kicks in), many people tend to turn their focus more on the holidays and less on the landscape. And as we start all the traditional planning, shopping and decorating, we find ourselves on a personal mission to keep expenses as low as possible. Well, thanks to our gardens, decorating for the holidays can be fun, festive and affordable!

This miniature Christmas tree decoration can be made in minutes – and without spending a fortune. (You might even already have some of the non-natural materials on hand.) Use just about any greenery from your garden, evergreen or otherwise. The key is that the plant material has to have fine needles or leaves that are in scale with the tree. (Southern magnolia leaves, for example, just won’t work.) Our mini tree uses arborvitae, but you can also use yew, fir, spruce, holly, rosemary – or nearly anything else that reminds you of the season!

The end result makes a wonderful table accent, or use two or more on a mantel. However many you make, they’ll last for weeks and add a festive, natural touch to your holiday décor.

Here’s how to make your own mini tree:

Tips

When cutting evergreens in your yard, remember that each cut you make is still a pruning cut. Trim carefully so that you direct growth in a healthy way when it starts again in spring.
Choose floral foam carefully – there are many types out there! You want the green foam that’s meant to soak in water. Avoid the brown “Sahara” type or the green Styrofoam, which won’t absorb water and are meant for dried or silk flowers.

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