This past fall, a hurricane knocked down a few large trees in our yard, therefore I wanted to “save” some of the wood for a DIY hanging planter.
I have joined some amazing bloggers today for an Upcycle DIY Challenge. For my upcycle project, I decided our fallen tree would provide the perfect upcycle.
**You can see all the other inspiring up-cycle projects at the end of this post.

DIY Hanging Planter with house plants
It was sad to see those beautiful trees fall. However I am harvesting some of the wood for furniture, wreaths, coasters, and hanging planters is a way to keep enjoying some of their beauty.
Note: My daughter, Olivia (see how she did it HERE.)
Harvesting the wood requires a saw or chain saw.
Note: to ensure your safety be sure to use hearing and eye protection.

Cutting the wood slice
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Supplies
- Wood slice
- Moisture meter
- Macrame cord
- Level
- Wire
- Scissors
- Rubber band
- Sander
- Polyacrylic
- Paintbrush
- Drill
- Drill bit
- Pencil
- Tape measure
- Hang ring
- Clamp and scrap wood
How to Make a Plant Hanger
I made a video while making this hanging planter; you can watch it HERE.
Before sealing the wood slice, I checked the moisture content (I used this meter). The wood’s moisture score needed to be under 10 before it could be sealed with polyacrylic.

Checking the moisture levels
Sanding
I used a small palm sander to smooth the surface before applying the sealer.

Sanding the slice
Cord Hole Placement
Since the wood slice is not a true circle, I used the widenest area, found the center, and marked a small line. Then I turned it to mark the cross-section to achieve approximate quadrants and marked them with the pencil.

Marking the center of the wood slice
Using the center quadrant markings, I marked in 1.5″ from the edge and placed a pencil mark (these will be the cord holes). Then repeated for all four holes.

Measuring to mark the holes
Drilling the Holes
Note: Clamp the wood slice to another board (to protect your surface) since you are drilling through the wood slice.

Drill the rope holes through the wood slice
Sealing

Applying the finish

Wood slice ready to use
Supplies for the Macrame Cord Hanging Planter
After gathering my supplies, I practiced my design idea with yarn (saving the macrame cord for the plant hanger).

Rope plant hanger supplies
DIY Threading Tool
Threading the cords through the wood slice holes would be difficult without my DIY wire threading tool.

Wire hook

DIY wire hook tool test for threading the cords for the hanging planter
Cutting the Macrame Cord
To make an 8 strand macrame plant hanger, I needed to cut the cord strands two times longer than the finished length.
I wanted it to be 40 inches long, so I cut four 80″ strands.

Place the macrame cord through the ring
It was too difficult to manage all the cords at one time, so I added only two. I used a rubber band to held them in place over the hanging ring while I pulled them through the holes.

Use the hook to pull the cord to the bottom of the wood slice
Next, I added the last two cords and another rubber band to hold them in place.

Add the last 2 cords over the ring
I tied them from under the wood slice to over the wood slice to hold the cords in place while leveling it.

Pull cords through the holes and tie them to hold them in place.
Leveling the Wood
Using a small level to determine where the cords need to be tied together.
It was easiest to tie together cords from the opposite sides.

Use a level to find where to hang the wood slice
I needed an extra pair of hands for the second cord tying.

Tie the other 2 opposite cords
See more about tying the gathering knot below and in the how-to video.

Finish the end of the cords with a twisted tie
Trim the ends to the same length.

Trim the cord ends

Cut the rubber bands
Gathering Knot
The gathering knot provides a clean finish where multiple cords are gathered.
Start the knot with a loop that you place over the area you want to be covered.
Note: Make sure the loop is longer than the area you want to cover, so the wrapping cords do not cover it.

Place loop of cord over the other cords

Leave the loop cord end out
Wrap the gathering cord around the hanger cords and the gathering knot loop.

Wrap the long end of the cord to wrap around all the cords
The pull cord is the tail end of the gathering knot cord.

Continue wrapping the cord at the top of the plant hanger
Place the wrapping end into the loop and pull the tail end. This will carry the cut end of the wrapping cord into the cord wraps.

Pull the end through the loop
Trim the tail end, then adjust the wraps to cover it.

Trim the cording tail

Hanger ring with cords
The bottom of the hanger forms a “tassel.” I unwound the cording to make a fluffer tassel.

Untwisting the macrame cords
Other Uses
The wood slice can be any size to be used as side tables or a hanging decor shelf or a macrame plant hanger.
Placing faux candles with timers (these are the ones I used) on the wood slice creates an easy romantic look.

Simple rope plant hanger DIY

Hanging planter with candles
More Amazing Up-cycled Projects:
My friend Tarah from Grandmas House DIY shares how she up-cycled a toolbox into a towel bar.

storage-toolbox
Chas from Chas’s Crazy Creations shares her amazing solar chandelier.

easy-flower-basket-to-solar-chandelier
Visit Niky’s blog, The House on Silverado, to see four up-cycle projects.

4-upcycles-scaled
Kim from Shiplap and Shells is sharing how to up-cycle a window into a cabinet.

vintage window cabinet
Andrea from Design Morsels shared how to make lined draperies with sheets.

turn sheets into drapes
You Might Also Enjoy:
Another project I made using wood slices was this gorgeous wreath.

Wood Slices Wreath
Please join me (HERE) as we craft up some fun. You can look forward to receiving new inspiration every week. As well as special online crafting events, seasonal and holiday crafting too.
See you soon,
Kippi
Chas Greener says
This is really quite stunning and high-end Kippi. I love both the hanging planter and flower pot upcycle. Thanks for sharing and wonderful hopping with you.
Kim | Shiplap and Shells says
What a creative project Kippi! I love not only the hanging planter but also the upcycled flower pot. I’m so glad you were able to make something beautiful from such a terrible event such as a hurricane. Always love hopping with you. Pinned.
Grandma's House DIY says
This turned out so great, I love it! Its awesome hoping with you!
Niky says
What a great way to repurpose your downed trees! I have several wood circles saved from our wedding where we used them as part of the table centerpieces. You’ve given me some new ideas! Pinned!
Niky @ The House on Silverado