Trim A Tree For Your Tabletop And More

This is one project that I would really love to try this year.  We usually put up one Christmas tree but I would like to add another "table top tree" into our decorating scheme.  I am looking for our house to be more festive in other rooms.  Table top trees in urns especially appeal to me.  I am crazy over urns!  The above image is so adorable and colorful (other images are cute too).  You could probably find an inexpensive urn, or metal bucket, and spray paint it red or any other color.  As far as our main Christmas tree we use a tree stand with the typical tree skirt.  I am thinking that I want to use an urn instead for our large tree.  If I can't do that then I may try a oversized galvanized bucket with a tree stand to fit inside.  I have seen this done in various forms.  I got this image below and idea from Bethany at Curb Appeal.  She said that she has done this in her home and it helped to protect her wood floors too.  It certainly is different!  I am in the mood to stray out of my comfort zone.  How about you?  Are you seeing something that you would like to try this year?  Shake things up a bit?

More cuteness...

Eddie Ross doing it best too!

~Finished and lovely~

Found this image below from Martha Stewart (so many great ideas, can't stay away).  Great example of a "classically trimmed" tree.  I included the "how-to" below.  I don't have pretty ornaments to spare like pictured here, but I am sure I could come up with something that I would enjoy looking at everyday.  This looks easy enough if you have the time.  It is definitely something I am going to try.  I could see this on my buffet...  I hope you give it a try!  If you have already done this kind of thing, let me know how it came out.  I would love to hear about it and your decorating adventures!

Trim a Tree How-To

Choose a fresh tree with branches that directly oppose each other, such as a Norway spruce. A full-size tree can be pruned this way, but it may require additional support around the base.

Tools and Materials

Galvanized metal bucket

Pea gravel

Garden gloves

Masking tape

Pruning shears

Wood saw

Brown liquid shoe polish

Urn or other heavy decorative container

Garbage bag

Plastic paint-mixing bucket

4-inch-thick floral foam

Kitchen knife

Decorative sheet moss

1. Most of the necessary supplies are basic hardware-store items; floral foam and sheet moss are available at floral-supply stores.

2. Stand the tree upright in a galvanized metal bucket filled with pea gravel (you will transfer it to a decorative urn later). Examine the tree to determine which branches to prune. For this tree, Eric removed every other ring of branches.

3. Wearing gloves, place a piece of masking tape at the inner and outer ends of every branch you plan to remove.

4. Use pruning shears to cut away the tagged branches, working from the top down. If the trunk appears too long once you remove the bottommost limbs, trim it with a saw.

5. Once boughs are removed, conceal cuts with dabs of liquid shoe polish.

6. Line the urn with a plastic garbage bag to prevent leaks; place plastic bucket inside. If the bucket doesn't fit snugly, fill the space around it with gravel. Transfer the tree to the plastic bucket. Fill the bucket three-quarters full with gravel to secure. Pour water in until it reaches the top of the gravel.

7. Use a kitchen knife to cut floral foam to the same diameter as the mouth of the urn. Cut a pie-shaped wedge from it. Soak foam pieces in water until saturated. Place wet foam cylinder around the trunk like a collar, and replace wedge. Trim excess foam. Gently press sheet moss onto foam. To keep the tree fresh, remove the foam wedge and water as needed.

8. The tree is ready to be decorated.

Isn't this great?  Have fun...


~jamilyn


(Images from Martha Stewart, BHG,Curb Appeal, Eddie Ross)