Mini Christmas trees made from pine cone scales are a festive, budget-friendly holiday craft that brings a natural, rustic charm to your holiday decor.
This easy project requires minimal investment and a little time, making it perfect for cozy winter afternoons. These pine cone trees add a warm, handmade touch to any holiday display.
Select pine cones that are in good condition and free from visible damage. Gently clean the pine cones, brush off dirt, and inspect for bugs or debris. Don’t worry if the pine cones are closed; they will open up when you bake them. In fact, baking them is strongly recommended before using them. Here’s why and how to do it.
Tools and Materials
- Pine cones (various sizes – available here if you can’t forage for your own)
- Needle nose pliers
- Scissors
- Working gloves (optional)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Foam crafting cones
- Decorative items (e.g., glitter, faux snow, small beads, mini pompoms, paint, etc)
Related Reading: I Accidentally Discovered The World’s Best (& Cheapest) Fake Snow
Remove the Scales
To create the trees, you’ll only need the pine cone scales – the overlapping plates covering the pine cone. Put on work gloves, if desired. Pine cones can be prickly and may irritate your skin.
Start at the base, where the scales grow in a concentric, slightly overlapping pattern. Use needle-nose pliers to slide under each scale, squeeze to grip near the base, and lift to remove. Afterward, snip off the pointy ends of each scale with scissors.
Glue the Scales onto the Form
Starting at the base of the foam cone, add hot glue to the bottom two-thirds of each pine cone scale (the wider end) and press it onto the cone. Work in layers around the base, adding one row at a time. For the second row, place each scale between the scales of the first row to create an overlapping effect. Continue this pattern up to the top of the cone, ensuring all foam is covered.
Decorating the Pine Cone Tree (optional)
The pine cone trees look beautiful as they are, but for a bit more pizzazz, try adding glue to the tips of the scales and sprinkling glitter or dry-brushing the scales with white paint for a flocked effect. You can also add a festive touch by gluing on small beads or pompoms to resemble tiny ornaments. For a finishing touch, top your tree with a small star or ribbon bow.
Displaying Your Pine Cone Trees
Arrange your pine cone trees in clusters on mantels, shelves, or tabletops for a natural, festive touch. Set them on a bed of fake snow. Pair them with candles, fairy lights, or other seasonal decor to create a warm and cozy atmosphere.
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