Potted Tree Branches

I resurrected one of the last issues of ReadyMade (RIP) and flipped to this tutorial on using potting tiny pines for holiday decor. I liked their idea, although I didn’t quite follow what they did (which was buy actual saplings and plant in mason jars):

I snipped a handful of pine branch tips from Pete’s parent’s luxurious property (an abundance of trees from which to cut from is a dream), and set out to make some mantle decor that would (hopefully) last until Christmas week.

The branches felt healthy after having soaked the the cut ends in water for a few days, so I brought out some potting soil and clay pots from the basement. I’m not sure how long they’ll last “planted” in potting soil, because I don’t intend to keep watering them like you would a Christmas tree. I did line the bottom of each clay pot with a piece of plastic to keep any loose soil and hint of moisture from falling through the drainage hole of the clay pot, so I could probably water lightly if I wanted, but in a perfect world, they’d need to be much more saturated than what sitting in damp soil would permit. If I had used Ball Jars instead, I could have soaked them, but then what’s the point since they aren’t going to re-root themselves? (Bonus: The potting soil can be reused, no waste.)

I don’t know enough about pine species, but one tree that I cut from had long, soft needles. The branches are droopy, more like a Charles Schultz tree. I think it’s charming. Plus, this tiny branch was planted in my tiniest pot, increasing the petite-cuteness factor.

I’m probably way more obsessed with these little guys than I should be considering they’ll likely be dead by Christmas day. The whole project had me singing Queen’s Keep Yourself Alive chorus (jump to 1:10).

Ok, distracted. I transitioned some items off the mantle and top of the bookshelf, I grouped these little guys together to decorate the whole room. I left the color block art and a sketch of Cody just because I like them + the pop of color they bring to the living room.

I found some branches that still held tiny pine cones. Adorable.

Anyone else attempting creative holiday decor with freebies found in the backyard?