Easy Birch bark Christmas Tree ornaments

These ornaments are dead simple if you've got birch bark around. We make them from the leftover bark from our firewood, as well as other Birch bark crafts. Each one takes (at most) about 5 minutes and the only resources required are a way to cut the bark and a tool to cut wire. The wire is cheap and colorful from the local dollar store.

Step 1 What you will need (substitutions may apply)

You will need:
- some birch bark: You'll need enough to make a circular strip and a piece for a simple shape you will cut out
- a razor blade knife: To cut the bark strip. You can also use scissors just fine.
- scissors: To cut out the shape. You could also use the razor blade knife, but scissors tend to be easier. Cutting birch bark is similar to cutting thick card stock.
- something to cut wire
- wire

Comments

[creekology]

When I lived in the frozen North, I would go to a sawmill that let me collect all the birchbark I wanted.

[beth1322]

This is such a great idea! Next time we are at my aunt's I'll be getting some of the birch bark from her firewood.

[finbar galdeep]

I,ve seen candles done inside of birch bark as well

[Kickstart70]

Be VERY careful with that. Birch bark is quite flammable! In fact, we use scraps of it as firestarter in our wood furnace. I wouldn't want to put a candle anywhere near it.

[lemonie]

What effect (if any) does this have upon birch trees?

L

[Kickstart70]

In our case, nothing. The (dead and standing) trees are already cut down and split into firewood.

However, Birch is one of those trees that has a tendency to rot from the inside and fall over, so if you are opposed to cutting down trees or cutting off limbs, you could harvest from already-down trees.

I've heard of others trimming the outside bark from living trees and claiming no harm to the trees, but I have my doubts and have not tried it.

[lemonie]

Yes, birch does rot like that (I'd forgotten) - useful stuff birch-bark.

L