Arrangements From Tree Trimmings . . .

Cuttings to create a Christmas arrangement begin with a Christmas Tree Branch!

Last week’s post was an arrangement from the trimmings of the Christmas tree. Let me share with you the secret of making the branches go further. 

This is a trimming of a Christmas tree. This branch is from the bottom of the Christmas Tree. These are the branches that are cut from the bottom of the tree to fit the truck of the tree into the tree stand. 

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There is a lot of greenery in a few branches. The trick is to cut the limbs into smaller pieces. Look at each branch. Look for the thickest stem of the branch. Look for small clusters of limbs. Cut close to the thick stem of the branch to create these clusters. 

Notice that all of these cuttings are not the same. There are single stems of greenery that are as valuable as clusters. The single stems are important for the outline of the centerpiece. The clusters are useful to fill in large spaces.

As I cut each piece of greenery, I cut on an angle. Cutting a stem on an angle gives a finished look. Remember, make the cuts close to the thick stem or at the base of clusters.

I use a rose stripper to remove the needles from the base of each cutting. The needles need to be removed to place the stem into wet floral foam. The needles remove too much of the wet floral foam to keep the greenery stable. Place the cleaned stems of the greenery into the wet floral foam.

It is amazing to me the amount of greenery I can get from just a few Christmas Tree branches!