DIY Tree Bark Flower Vases

4 Materials
$8
2 Hours
Easy

Add a little nature to your décor with Tree Bark Flower Vases. An affordable and easy craft project you can do in under an hour.

Tree Bark Flower Vases are an easy and fun craft project if you have access to tree bark. They only cost was that of my time and the price of hot glue sticks, as I used recycled containers for vases! They would make pretty, affordable vases for an outdoor wedding, event or party.

They inspiration came from a fallen tree in a wooded area on our property. When my hubby went out with his chain saw to cut up the tree, I was admiring the texture of the lichen and mossy bits and wondered if I could salvage some. I was able to peel off pieces of bark that split from the trunk.

Here are a few pieces that I salvaged. When life hands you fallen trees, make Tree Bark Flower Vases. :)

I headed to the recycling bin for some empty metal cans to make the vases. I had enough bark to cover several cans and an empty 21-ounce protein powder container to make an assortment of flower vases with the tree bark and lichen pieces.

To attach the bark, I used a hot glue gun using Gorilla Glue Sticks. Gorilla Glue Sticks are ideal for high temperature bonding of wood, metal, plastic and glass. They can also be used in low melt applications with floral material, foam and fabrics. They provide extra working time and are weather resistant.

I added the bark and lichen pieces fitting them together to cover the surface of the cans, letting the size and shape of the bark pieces dictate where I put them. I tried to keep the large pieces in tact whenever possible, cutting and breaking only when necessary to fit the containers. I decided to let the bark edges extend beyond the top of cans for a natural and organic feel.

I also gathered some pieces of River Birch bark that peel off in pieces from our tree.

I decided it might be easier to cover the surface of the can with birch bark first to conceal the printing on the can, then added the larger bark and lichen pieces on top.

This is a very forgiving and easy process, fitting the pieces together like a puzzle and filling in gaps with lichen bits. If you lose a small piece of bark or lichen, it can be reglued without being obvious.

I plan on giving the finished bark vases a couple of coats of clear matte spray sealer to protect the texture of the lichen and bark.

Here's my assortment of vases filled with the last of the daffodils, Lenten roses and fern fronds. I went foraging for some blooming branches to mix with some tulips and ranunculus from the grocery store.

Click the blue "go" button below for more photos and details, along with additional floral inspiration from my blogging friends.

Find 15 garden DIYs, projects and hacks to welcome spring, HERE. You’ll find tutorials and details to make Hand Stamped Garden Markers, Mosaic Flower Pots, a Garden Hose Wreath, Gardener’s Sugar Scrub and more!

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Mary @ Home is Where the Boat Is
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3 of 5 questions
  • Em Em on Apr 12, 2021

    How do you get them to keep their color. I have picked up pieces in my driveway and as soon as they dry they lose their beautiful turquoise/green color.

  • Gig69451122 Gig69451122 on Feb 19, 2023

    Your mind goes a "mile a minute", like mine! How very creative you are. They are just wonderful. I wonder if the vase that's metal. Could accommodate a candle safely? Can you imagine, how lovely this would look in a, log cabin? Thank you God, for inspiring someone to invent, hot glue guns...

  • Queenbee Queenbee on Mar 20, 2023

    I think the Birch tree bark is pretty as well. U could probably make a bunch of these without or with silk flowers and sell them like on a bridal site/party site for people looking for that perfect centerpiece for their festivity?! It would save them time and money if u don't overpriced them. A win win situation for both of u!

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  • Kimberly Kimberly on Jun 17, 2022

    Your arrangements are lovely and the vases look so unique and earthy. Just love how they look and will no be looking for some bark to try it! Thanks for sharing your creative ideas.

  • DJ DJ on Apr 09, 2023

    I think it would be easier to just coat the cans with a thin coat of chalkboard paint - then you wouldn't have to wonder about can labels showing through. Also, since we're talking about birch, the exposed white spaces will work nicely with whatever amount of bark/lichen you attach to them - you are, after all, bonding it with Gorilla Glue! 🙂

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