10 DIY Tree Crafts for Nature Lovers

I can’t pass a interesting-looking stick on a hiking trail. My pockets are usually full of acorns, interesting leaves, and bark that I swear I’m going to use for something later. My partner calls it hoarding. I call it sourcing materials.

If you’re the same way—constantly eyeing that fallen branch or saving pine cones in your coat pocket—you’ve come to the right place. I’ve rounded up ten of my favorite DIY tree crafts that actually look good and don’t require a workshop full of power tools. Let’s turn that nature loot into something special.

1. Rustic Bark Slices for Coasters or Ornaments

Ever seen those perfect, round wood slices at the craft store and thought, “I could totally make those”? You absolutely can. You just need access to a fallen branch and a saw.

I made a set of these for my sister last Christmas, and she still uses them daily. The key is finding a branch that’s already dead and dry—please don’t cut live branches from trees!

What you’ll need:

• A fallen branch (about 2-3 inches thick)
• A hand saw or pruning saw
• Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)

Let’s get started. First, saw the branch into slices about ½ inch thick. They don’t need to be perfect—the wonky ones have more charm, IMO. Once you have your slices, sand the rough edges down. Start with the rougher sandpaper and finish with the fine grit until they’re smooth to the touch.

You can leave them natural or seal them with a food-safe mineral oil if you’re using them as coasters. Why did I wait so long to try this? It’s genuinely one of the most satisfying crafts out there.

2. Pressed Leaf Lanterns (Using Real Leaves)

This is one of those projects that looks way more complicated than it actually is. I brought one of these to a friendsgiving dinner once, and everyone thought I’d bought it from some fancy boutique.

Supplies:

• A glass jar (a mason jar works great)
• Pressed leaves (the flatter, the better)
• Mod Podge (or any white glue)
• A foam brush
• A tea light (battery-operated is safer, FYI)

Here’s the trick. You need to press your leaves in a heavy book for a few days before you start. I usually forget I’ve done this and find them months later, but hey, they’re still usable!

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the back of a leaf and stick it to the glass. Paint another layer of Mod Podge over the leaf to seal it. Once it’s dry, pop in your tea light. The light shining through the leaf veins looks incredible. It’s pure magic.

3. Twig Stars for Rustic Decor

Twig stars are my go-to gift for teachers or hostesses. They cost absolutely nothing to make and look so intentional.

I grabbed a handful of straight-ish twigs from the backyard after a storm last spring. Make sure they’re relatively similar in thickness.

How to assemble:

1. Lay out five twigs in a star pattern.
2. Use a hot glue gun to secure the ends where they overlap.
3. Wrap the center and each point with jute twine for extra strength and that rustic look.
4. Trim any weird little branches sticking out.

You can hang them on the wall or just prop them on a shelf. They instantly make any space feel a little more woodsy.

4. DIY Twig Photo Frame

Remember those craft sticks we used in kindergarten? This is the grown-up, nature-loving version. It’s simple, but the result is a frame that actually looks like something you’d buy at Target.

Steps to frame your memories:

• Find a bunch of small, thin twigs. Break them so they’re roughly the same length.
• You’ll need a base—I use a plain wooden frame from the dollar store.
• Cut the twigs to size with garden shears if needed.
• Glue them directly onto the frame, covering it completely. Overlap them slightly at the corners for a cleaner look.

I did this with a photo of my dog looking majestic in the woods. The meta-theme was not lost on me. 🙂

5. Painted Acorn Necklaces

These are tiny, wearable, and incredibly cute. I started making these during a particularly rainy weekend when I was bored out of my mind. Now, I can’t stop.

What you’ll need:

• Acorns with the caps still attached (let them dry out first)
• Acrylic paint and tiny paintbrushes
• A small drill (or just a screw to make a pilot hole)
• Jump rings and a chain cord

The process is delicate. First, use a small drill bit to make a tiny hole in the cap. Screw in an eye pin or just attach a jump ring directly if you can. Then, paint the acorn body. I like to do solid colors with metallic dots, but you can paint tiny landscapes if you have a steadier hand than me.

Seal them with a clear coat so the paint doesn’t chip. Every time I wear one, someone asks where I bought it. “Oh, this old thing? I just found it on a tree.” 😉

6. A Simple Twig Mobile

If you have a bare corner that needs some life, a twig mobile is the answer. It’s basically a floating piece of art.

Find a main branch that has a nice shape—maybe one with a few smaller branches already coming off it. This will be your crossbar.

Assembling the mobile:

• Cut varying lengths of fishing line or clear thread.
• Tie one end to your decorative items (leaves, small bark pieces, feathers, beads) and the other end to the main branch.
• Balance is key here. You’ll have to slide the threads around until the branch hangs level.
• Tie a longer piece of string to the ends of the branch to hang it from the ceiling.

Watching it spin slowly in the breeze is hypnotic. It’s way better than store-bought decor because it literally came from a tree.

7. Tree Ring Painting

This is for the folks who think, “I like nature, but I also love color.” You’re taking that rustic bark slice from the first craft and turning it into a canvas.

Get creative:

• Sand the slice until it’s perfectly smooth.
• Paint the entire surface white to create a primer.
• Sketch a simple design—a mountain range, a single tree, a galaxy, or just abstract shapes.
• Use acrylic paints to fill it in.

I made a series of these with different phases of the moon painted on them. They look awesome grouped together on a wall. It’s a great way to combine natural texture with modern art.

8. DIY Potpourri from Pine and Fir

Forget the fake stuff they sell in stores that smells like a candle factory exploded. Real pine potpourri is ridiculously easy to make and makes your house smell like a winter forest.

You just need to go outside and gather the bits. We’re talking pine needles, small pine cones, pieces of bark, and maybe some dried berries if you have them.

How to do it:

1. Mix your gathered goods in a bowl.
2. Add a few drops of essential oil if you want to boost the scent. Cedarwood or fir needle oil works great.
3. Toss in some cinnamon sticks or dried orange slices for a festive twist.
4. Place it in a bowl and forget about it for a month.

When the scent fades, just toss the whole thing back into the woods. No plastic waste, no guilt.

9. Birch Bark Candle Holders

If you’re lucky enough to have a birch tree nearby (and a fallen branch you can harvest responsibly), this is the craft for you. Birch bark is magical stuff—it peels off in layers and is naturally water-resistant.

Safety first! (Sarcasm warning)

Birch bark is also highly flammable, so we’re not actually putting a flame next to it. Use a battery-operated candle, unless you want a mini bonfire on your dining table. Trust me on this.

The steps are simple:

• Cut a section of birch bark that’s tall enough to wrap around a glass jar.
• Wrap it around the jar and secure it with jute twine or a little hot glue.
• Place your LED candle inside.

The contrast of the white bark and the warm light is stunning. It’s rustic elegance at its finest.

10. Leaf Rubbing Art

Okay, this one is simple enough for a five-year-old, but don’t knock it. As an adult, it’s actually really therapeutic. I do this when I want to be creative but my brain is too fried for anything complicated.

All you need:

• A thin piece of paper (printer paper works, but tracing paper is even better)
• A crayon with the paper peeled off
• Leaves with prominent veins (like oak or maple)

Place the leaf under the paper and gently rub the side of the crayon over it. The veins will magically appear. Use fall colors—reds, oranges, yellows—to capture the season.

You can cut these out and collage them, or just keep them as loose sheets. It’s a perfect way to study the tiny details of a leaf without needing a microscope.

Conclusion: Get Outside and Make a Mess

So, that’s my list. Ten ways to turn the trees in your backyard into something you can hang on your wall, wear around your neck, or use to hold your coffee. The best part about all of these projects is that they’re free (or nearly free) and each piece is completely unique.

I’d love to know—are you team “painted acorn” or team “rustic bark slice”? Or maybe you have a favorite tree craft that I missed? Grab your twigs and get started. Your home is about to get a whole lot cozier.