Recycle Wine Cork Christmas Tree Tutorial: Eco-Friendly Christmas Craft
Looking for a creative and sustainable way to decorate for Christmas? This recycled wine cork Christmas tree tutorial is perfect for you! Made from upcycled wine corks, this tree is a unique, eco-friendly Christmas craft that will enhance your holiday decor. This easy-to-follow tutorial only requires a few basic supplies. You can customize your tree to any size or color you like, and it’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Let’s get started.
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How Can You Recycle Wine Corks?
Wine corks cannot be reused for wine due to bacterial concerns; however, there are many ways to recycle them.
How To Use Wine Corks For Your Plants?
Cork helps to hold moisture in the soil. So add your recycled wine corks to your plant soil. You can break them into pieces or leave them whole. Either way, they will help to keep your soil moist.
In addition, you can slice corks into pieces and glue them to the bottom of your plant containers to cushion against scratching your floor or table.
Wine Cork Home Decor
Recycling wine corks for home decor is another great option. You can create practical decor that every home needs. Here are a few ideas.
- Coasters – glue several corks together to create coasters to protect your tables from moisture.
- Trivets – a larger version of a coaster, used to protect your tabletops from damage caused by hot pots or dishes.
- Push pin cork boards: Hot-glue wine corks into a square or rectangular board. If you are really adventurous, you can create animal shapes for a corkboard or art.
Wine Cork Christmas Crafts
Finally, you can use your old corks to make fun Wine Cork Christmas Crafts. There are many fun ornament ideas, from reindeer to snowmen. However, I’m sharing how to make an easy Wine Cork Christmas Tree to enhance any area of your home this holiday season.
Wine Cork Christmas Tree Tutorial
I was looking for cute Christmas decor for our wine bar this holiday. I wanted something stylish but in keeping with the wine theme. Therefore, I decided to recycle some wine corks into trees.
There are several options for creating a Wine Cork Christmas Tree; however, I think you’ll agree this is the cutest idea. I made two trees, and I’ll share the supplies for each.
Tools & Supplies
Here are the tools we used to work with the corks more easily.
- Scroll Saw
- Hot Glue Gun
- Hot Glue Finger Protectors
- Scissors
- Sharp Knife
- Kraft Paper
- Pinecone Scales
- Optional – Paper Mache Cones
Supplies based on size
17 – 18 Corks –Metal Star – 36 –Berries
32 Corks – Wooden Star – 86 –Berries
How To Prepare To Recycle Wine Corks
First, the wine cork Christmas tree looks best if the corks are cut in half. However, this was the tricky part of the project. We attempted to cut them with a sharp knife without success. We eventually found that the method that worked for us was using a scroll saw to slice the corks. The saw quickly cut all the corks, but I recommend using it with caution.
NOTE OF USE EXTREME CAUTION: Use all safety precautions when using the scroll saw. The corks should be held securely to avoid saw vibration and prevent slicing your fingers. It’s a good idea to use a clamp to hold the cork steady while cutting.
Wine Cork Craft Tutorial
The next step is to cover the styrofoam cone with kraft paper. This will allow the corks to adhere more easily, and the gaps between the corks will be less visible.
Wrap the cone tightly with the kraft paper and secure it with hot glue. Cut any excess paper from the top and bottom of the cone.
Attach Corks
To attach corks, add hot glue to the flat side of the sliced cork. Then, begin at the bottom of the cone and evenly align the corks around its diameter.
Make sure the corks are standing straight. This may leave small gaps toward the bottom of the cone.
Note: Be sure to wear hot glue finger protection for this project.
Next, begin adding a second row of corks. For this step, you will need to add hot glue to the top and bottom flat sides of the cork. Overlap the first row slightly and hold it in place until the glue sets.
As you work around the cone, you may need to trim the top edges of a few corks.
Use scissors to cut a wedge from the two corners, allowing the corks to fit snugly around the cone.
You will find that trimming the corners becomes more critical as you add rows of corks.
Four rounds of corks are on the 6-inch cone, and eight are on the 12-inch cone.
Pinecone Idea
When I reached the top of the tree, I was unsure how to finish it. Since I have an abundance of pinecones, I decided to add a few scales to the top of the tree.
Just break a few larger scales from a pinecone and add hot glue to the small end. Form a circle at the top of the Wine Cork Christmas Tree. Be sure to leave a small opening at the center to attach the star.
Trim The Tree with Berries
To trim the tree, use hot glue to attach a berry to each space between the corks. This will help adorn the tree and hide gaps.
Top The Wine Cork Christmas Tree
Now, it’s time to top the tree. I decided to use the stars in my craft supplies for this step.
Begin by slicing the end of a wine cork with a sharp knife. Cut it approximately 1/4 – 1/2 inches. Then, use an ice pick to punch a hole in the center.
Add a piece of wire to your stars with hot glue. I used two metal stars for the small tree and placed the wire in between with hot glue. Then, slide the wire into the cork, leaving at least an inch coming out the bottom.
Add hot glue to the top of the cone and push the wire into the top. Press the star and cork slice until the glue sets to secure the star to the top.
Decorate with Recycled Wine Cork Christmas Trees
Now, you are ready to decorate with your DIY Christmas trees.
They are the perfect addition to the wine bar.
Recycle Wine Cork Christmas Tree Tutorial
Equipment
- Hot glue gun
- Scroll Saw
- Hot Glue Finger Protectors
- Scissors
Materials
- Wine Corks 17 for 6 inch tree
- Small Styrofoam Cone 6 inches
- Red Berries
- 2 Rusty metal stars
- Kraft Paper
Instructions
- Wrap the styrofoam cone with kraft paper and adhere it with hot glue
- Cut corks in half with a scroll saw ( use caution )
- Apply hot glue to the backside of the corks and adhere to the bottom of the cone.
- Continue adding corks with a slight overlap until the cone is covered. Be sure the corks are aligned upright. This may result in slight gaps. Cut top corners from corks to allow them to fit together with minimum gaps.
- Add pinecone scales to the top of the cone.
- Add a star to the top with a piece of cork to hold it steady.
Video
Notes
You can add them to pillar-size candleholders, or they can sit without a riser.
They will also look stylish when used to decorate other areas of your home.
Additional Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Christmas Ideas
- 3 Eco-Friendly DIY Ornaments for Christmas
- Ways To Use Fresh Greenery for Eco-Friendly Christmas Decorating
- 19 Sustainable Christmas Craft Ideas and Trends
- 5 Sustainable and Cheap Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
- 27+ Easy And Creative Christmas Crafts To Make Now
Resources – Click the image below to shop
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Such a great idea…can’t wait to try.
Oh, I can’t wait to see your version.
You are absolutely right. These cork trees are “So stinking cute”! One would be great added to a bottle of wine or bar gift! Thank you for sharing your talent!
ps I had no idea cork to help with my plants.
Jan,
Thank you so much. I’m glad you like them and yes, use any left overs in your plants.
@Jan, they also made a beautiful and artistic mulch in your flowerbed.
Yes and they help to keep moisture in.
So darn cute Rachel! I have tons of corks, I better get to work. I will share on my next share post.
Wendy,
I’m so glad you like this. I appreciate you for sharing
Thank you for sharing.
I am about to make these for my 3 closest friends, but want to make sure I have enough corks. How many corks are needed for the larger tree?
Suzanne,
I’m not sure. Mine are packed away until the holidays and I didn’t count them. Maybe once you’ve made one, you’ll know how many it takes. You can always get more corks at restaurants. They are happy to give them to you.