Scrap Wood Christmas Tree

Use those pieces together on one project to make a scrap wood Christmas tree to decorate your porch or yard.

Cut branches for the tree using scrap boards. You will need a 9", a 14", an 18", a 24", a 29" and a 32" board. Cut a 45" board for the tree trunk. The width of each board can be any size from 2" to 4 1/2".

Dry brush one side of each branch using hunter green acrylic paint. Dry brush one side of the trunk using brown acrylic paint.

Lay the trunk on your work surface with the painted side facing up. Turn the trunk so that it is pointing away from you vertically. With the painted side of the branches facing up, horizontally place each one across the trunk starting with the shortest branch at the top and ending with the longest at the bottom.

Shift the top branch 5" down from the top and the bottom branch 9" up from the bottom of the trunk. Adjust and equally space the remaining branches between the top and bottom branches. Center each branch on the trunk.

Apply wood glue between each branch and the trunk. Secure using screws or staples.

Trace a star approximately 6" in diameter onto a scrap of metal flashing. Use tin snips to cut out the star. Paint one side of the star using yellow-gold acrylic paint. Place the star on the trunk at the top of the tree and attach using a screw, staple or carpet tack.

Attach a wire hanger. Drill a hole on each end of the top branch 1" down from the top of the branch and 1" in from the ends. Cut a 24" length of rusty baling wire. Insert one end through each hole from the front of the branch to the back. Pull the wire ends through approximately 2" and bend to secure.

Enjoy!