How to make a Christmas tree decoration

Create this simple Christmas tree decoration to add festive cheer to an outdoor space.

Make a wooden Christmas tree decoration

You will need:

50mm galvanised nails,
50mm x 25mm treated battening cut to the following lengths: 2 x 400mm, 2 x 380mm, 2 x 360mm, 2 x 340mm, 2 x 320mm, 2 x 300mm, 2 x 280mm, 2 x 260mm, 2 x 240mm, 2 x 220mm, 2 x 200mm, 2 x 180mm, 2 x 160mm, 2 x 140mm, 2 x 120mm, 2 x 100mm, 2 x 80mm, 2 x 45mm
150mm x 50mm treated timber
Hammer, paintbrush, pencil, PVA glue, sandpaper, saw, tape measure, 2 x testpots of Resene Woodsman Totem Pole.

To get the look: Mark painted the outdoor table with Resene Enamacryl tinted to Resene Green House.

Instructions

Step one
Measure and mark the lengths of 50mm x 25mm timber to the dimensions listed above.

Step two
Cut the timber to size, as shown.

Step three
Measure, mark and cut the piece of 150mm x 50mm timber to form a square, as shown.

Step four
Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.

Step five
Attach the two smallest lengths of 50mm x 25mm timber to the centre of the piece of 150mm x 50mm timber to form the base and lower trunk of the Christmas tree, fixing with PVA glue and 50mm nails. Attach one of the 400mm lengths of timber, as shown, to form the lowest branch.

Step six
Attach the next 400mm length of timber at 90° to the first, again fixing with PVA glue and 50mm nails. Attach the two 380mm lengths of timber at 45° and 135°, as shown, once again fixing with PVA glue and 50mm nails.

Step seven
Continue in the same way working from the longest to the shortest length of 50mm x 25mm timber. Allow the glue to dry.

Step eight
Apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Totem Pole to the Christmas tree, allowing two hours for each coat to dry.

Words and photos by Mark Rayner

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