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Pine Cone Christmas Trees DIY

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We have a yard filled with pine trees that have provided many pine cones just waiting to be transformed into pine cone Christmas Trees. So, after gathering a bushel of pine cones, I was ready to start creating some pine cone trees. 

I almost forgot I also had a ton of groovy vintage furniture legs that needed to be upcycled. Therefore I thought it would be fun to mail some to a few of my DIY blogger friends and challenge them to make some Christmas decor with them.

You can see their amazing projects after this one, so read all the way to the end for more Christmas craft projects.

Two DIY Pine cone Christmas trees standing on a wood table

Pinecone Christmas Trees

 

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How to Make Pine Cone Christmas Trees

The best part about these adorable pine cone trees is you can use them all winter to decorate.

Before using my pine cones, I like to bake them on a foil-lined cookie sheet at 225 degrees F for 30 minutes. This process will rid the pine cones of any bugs.

Supplies and Materials for Pinecone Christmas Trees

Pine cone making supplies on the table

Supplies

What Types of Pine Cones Can I Use

You can use any pine cone that you can snip the cone scales off. I used Florida white pine cones. They are easy to use since the space between the scales is large.

However, I tried using some gorgeous pinecones my sister-in-law sent us from Wisconsin, but their cone scales are tight and very thin. Therefore, I will save those beautiful pinecones for another project coming soon.

Look for female cones since they will have larger spaces between the scales than male cones. Also, the male cones are small cones that are not best suited for this Christmas craft.

Step-by-Step How to Make a Pine Cone Tree 

I recommend you watch the how-to video before starting this craft.

 

Preparing the Pine Cone Scales

Removing the pine cone scales with garden snips

Removing the pine scales

The first step is carefully snipping off all the pine cone scales of a few pine cones. I use a paper plate to help contain the mess as I snip the scales.

Then separate the scales into three piles according to their size.

Prepare the Furniture Cone

Since I used a furniture leg that had a dowel screw that needed to be removed. I used vise grip pliers to easily remove it.

Using a vise grip pliers to remove the screw from the furniture leg

Remove the Screw

Creating the Tree Texture

Fold a tea towel and place it under your cone as you work to help prevent your cone from rolling.

Folding tea towel with the furniture table and three piles of pine cone scales

Folded towel to hold furniture leg

Starting at the widest end (the bottom), start placing the largest pine cone scales in a tight row along the bottom by adding a line of hot glue along the cut end of the scale. Hold the scale for a few seconds before adding the next one. 

For the next few rows, you can use the largest scales. Place the second row of scales, overlapping about 1/8″ t0 1/16″ the scales in the first row. Be sure to cover the cut ends of scales in the row before as you continue each row.

Adding the second row of pine cone scales to the wood cone (furniture leg)

Adding pine cone scales

For the middle rows, use the middle-sized scales and continue with that size until the last few rows, then switch to using the small scales. 

Creating the Pointed Tip

Using a cone without a pointed tip, you will need to create a pointed tip using the smallest scales and hot glue.

Removing the smallest scales and the center scale (the cherry on the top)

Adding pine cone scales

First, you will need to glue a row of small scales on the last scale attached to the cone form to create the tip.

Adding a line of glue on the scales to add small scales to form a tip

Forming the tip

Then, while the glue is still hot, angle it towards the center. You may need to repeat that step for another row or two to achieve the pointed tip shape. 

Using my hand and hot glue to form the tree top

Forming the treetop

The pine cone has a center scale at the top with a small ball on the top (the cherry on the top) that you can use to fill in the tiny opening of the tip. 

Place the center scale (cherry on top) in the center of the tree top

Building the final row of scales

I used a small wood slice as the base for the pine cone Christmas tree. Next, I cut a 5/8″ piece of stick for the tree’s trunk and sanded the cut ends. 

Gluing the tree trunk to the bottom of the pine cone tree

Attach tree trunk

Add a generous amount of hot glue to one of the cut ends of your trunk and allow it to cool for a few seconds before gluing it to your cone. 

Attaching the wood slice stand to the trunk of the tree

Attach the wood slice base

To attach the tree to the wood slice base, I added a generous amount of hot glue and then waited for a few seconds before placing it in the center of the wood slice. 

PIne Cone Christmas Trees on the wood table with DIY wood houses and cedar
Print
5 from 1 vote

Pine Cone Trees

Materials

  • 3 Pinecones
  • Glue gun and glue
  • Vise grip pliers
  • Scissors
  • Garden snips
  • Cone form

Instructions

  • The first step is carefully snipping off all the pine cone scales of a few pine cones. I use a paper plate to help contain the mess as I snip the scales.
  • Then separate the scales into three piles according to their size.
  • Starting at the widest end (the bottom), start placing the largest pine cone scales in a tight row along the bottom by adding a line of hot glue along the cut end of the scale. Hold the scale for a few seconds before adding the next one.
  • For the next few rows, you can use the largest scales. Place the second row of scales, overlapping about 1/8″ t0 1/16″ the scales in the first row. Be sure to cover the cut ends of scales in the row before as you continue each row.
  • For the middle rows, use the middle-sized scales and continue with that size until the last few rows, then switch to using the small scales.
  • Using a cone without a pointed tip, you will need to create a pointed tip using the smallest scales and hot glue.
  • First, you will need to glue a row of small scales on the last scale attached to the cone form to create the tip.
  • Then, while the glue is still hot, angle it towards the center. You may need to repeat that step for another row or two to achieve the pointed tip shape.
  • The pine cone has a center scale at the top with a small ball on the top (the cherry on the top) that you can use to fill in the tiny opening of the tip.
  • I used a small wood slice as the base for the pine cone Christmas tree. Next, I cut a 5/8″ piece of stick for the tree’s trunk and sanded the cut ends.
  • To attach the tree to the wood slice base, I added a generous amount of hot glue and then waited for a few seconds before placing it in the center of the wood slice.

Notes

DIY Pine Cone Tree Options

    1. You can use a foam form or a piece of poster board shaped into a cone for your cone.
    2. Next, you could use gathered pine cones, or you could purchase them.
    3. You can make trees without a trunk or a base, but instead, they sit on the bottom edge of the form.
    4. Additionally, you could paint the trees with spray paint or craft paint. They would look gorgeous painted white (snow) or green for a more "real" Christmas tree.

DIY Pine Cone Tree Options

  1. You can use a foam form or a piece of poster board shaped into a cone for your cone.
  2. Next, you could use gathered pine cones, or you could purchase them.
  3. You can make trees without a trunk or a base, but instead, they sit on the bottom edge of the form.
  4. Additionally, you could paint the trees with spray paint or craft paint. They would look gorgeous painted white (snow) or green for a more “real” Christmas tree.

Decorating with Pine Cone Trees

 

PIne Cone Christmas Trees on the wood table with DIY wood houses and cedar

Pine Cone Christmas Trees

 

More Christmas tree craft ideas I think you will enjoy:

Creating handmade holiday decor is a tradition in our family, and this year, we will be using found objects as part of our decor. 

My daughter, Olivia, made this amazing paper Christmas tree with her furniture leg. 

DIY Christmas Trees sitting on a table

DIY Christmas Trees

If you like rustic decor, you will enjoy Rebecca from Zucchini Sisters’ rustic DIY Christmas trees.

Christmas Noel Tree with wood slices and a white bird at the top

Noel Christmas Tree

Cindy from Cloches and Lavender’s upcycle furniture leg makeover is borderline genius. She made a “real” working candle from a wooden furniture leg complete with wax drippings. 

Handmade faux candle and bottle brush trees on a table

Handmade Christmas Candle

My friend Janet from A Balanced Life shares how she created a gnome and Christmas tree with the furniture legs.

Santa Christmas Gnome sitting on a table

Santa Gnome

This furniture leg challenge was a blast, and I love all the projects my creative blogger friends have shared. 

 

You might also enjoy these DIY projects:

How to Decorate a Christmas Tree with ribbon.

DIY Red and white Christmas Decorations and ribbon on a Christmas tree

Christmas Tree decorated with ribbons and handmade ornaments

Want a Stress-Free Holiday?

Want to enjoy all the holiday season has to offer, but it all seems overwhelming? Then, join me as we enjoy a stress-free holiday season with a ton of inspiration, money-saving ideas for decorating, gift-giving, and so much more.

Join me HERE by sharing your email address. And have the best of everything this holiday.

Thank you for your visit today. I hope you found some sweet inspiration. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

Merry Christmas,

Kippi

Recipe Rating




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Nicolle

Friday 9th of December 2022

Kippi this is so cute! My son brings home pine cones for me every day after our walks so I'm going to have make a little pinecone tree forest! I'd love to invite you to come link up at my weekly link party every Wednesday-Sunday! https://www.ourtinynest.com/2022/12/07/weekly-wednesday-link-party-325/

Have a great weekend!

Olivia O'Hern

Wednesday 8th of September 2021

Love these pinecone trees! Thanks for sharing.

Craft Attic Resources

Monday 6th of September 2021

Great project.

Linda Johnston

Thursday 2nd of September 2021

Cute idea, great tutorial too!

Janet

Wednesday 1st of September 2021

Such a cute way to make a Christmas tree out of a pine cone.

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