DIY: Farmhouse Wooden Tree Collar

Our next project has been on my list for three years now! It is one of those projects that I don't think about until I need it every November. I have had a little more time on my hands lately due to our ever changing school schedule. If you have read our previous posts, you know I am an elementary teacher. This year we have been on and off with virtual learning and last week we were in a virtual session. So in between Google Meets with my students and lesson planning, I had a little time to check my wooden tree collar off the list! The perks from working at home I guess!

When we moved into our new home I knew I needed a BIG tree! When we were building our home one of the main reasons I wanted tall ceilings stemmed from my love of Christmas and knowing I could have a tall tree! Our families have always loved Christmas and the decorating brings me pure happiness... so obviously Brandon just lets me do my thing! Haha! After researching and hunting for the perfect tree for WEEKS (I had many requirements)... I finally found it!

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Holiday-Living-9-ft-Pre-Lit-Traditional-Artificial-Christmas-Tree-with-1200-Constant-White-Warm-White-LED-Lights/1003313500

I had already decided on the whole look for the tree! That's when I ran into a problem. I did not realize that finding a tree collar for my tree was going to be nearly impossible or cost me an arm and a leg! I kept telling myself as tree collars became more popular over time, they would begin making larger sizes. NOPE! So when I couldn’t stand looking at it anymore I found myself... between Google Meets... whipping one up during virtual learning!

Supplies:

1/4 inch plywood (I chose a piece that was sanded so I could use stain for the finish color)

Wood Glue

Clamps

Table Saw

Miter Saw (If you choose to do the farmhouse X)

Wood Filler

Putty Knife

Sandpaper

Stain (I used Varathane: Dark Walnut)

Small Hinges

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-1-2-in-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Non-Removable-Pin-Narrow-Utility-Hinges-2-Pack-14599/203339966

Drill

Finish Nailer (Optional)

Steps:

1. Measure your tree stand from leg to leg. For example, if you have four legs you need the measurement from #1 to #2 (clockwise or adjacent). This will be how long to cut your boards. **I added an inch to ensure the assembled collar would fit around the stand.

2. Next, measure from the floor to the bottom of the tree. This will give you the height for the boards.
   

3. Once the boards were cut, I used the scraps to create the trim. My trim pieces were 2 inches wide.

4. Sand the edges of each board/trim. I did this very quickly... I wasn't too concerned with rougher edges. It's just going under the tree!

5. Stain/paint the larger board before assembling.

6. Use wood glue to install trim on the edges of each board. Then, clamp to secure!

7. You can use a finish nailer for extra support here. **I did not feel like it was needed since it is stationary and only used for a few weeks a year! Optional: If you want to fill the cracks between the trim pieces you would do that here after the glue was dry! I did not choose to do this step because I liked the unfinished look.

8. After the glue is dry, stain the trim.

9. Once the stain is dry, install door hinges. I chose to do two small hinges on each corner of the collar. This allowed me to fold it for easy/flat storage once christmas is over!

10. Install collar around your tree for a gorgeous farmhouse style!

This project took me a total of 2 hours including dry time and it was less that $20 in materials! It looks fabulous and gives our tree the finished, styled look it was missing!