Introduction: Cardboard Christmas Tree
If you prefer that your holiday fire hazards be man-made and smell slightly of burnt paper, look no further. I present to you the laser-cut Christmas tree.
This project was my first crack at using 123D Make to create something. Despite being a complete 3D noob, this came out looking pretty fantastic. The full-on release should be awesome. (I did cheat a little by stealing PenfoldPlant's 3D model to slice into bits, but y'all can scrounge up your own models when the time comes.)
The tree stands about five feet tall, and has a six foot circumference. It would make a terrible supermodel, but it looks rather nice as a tree. I made this for my girlfriend's cousin and her family, so I needed it to work or risk being "that weird guy who makes ugly Christmas trees." I think I succeeded in being "that weird guy who makes rather nice Christmas trees." I left them to decorate it, and I trust that it will come out looking nice. They have impeccable taste.
Feel free to download the .eps files and go nuts with your own tree. Resize to your heart's content.
Step 1: Print Files/cut Stuff Out
As this project is more about the product than the process, we'll skip the design portion and get right into the printing.
I used a laser cutter because I have access to one. If I had to, I could have easily used a good razor and a lot of patience to cut the images out of cardboard using paper templates.
If you'll be cutting out by hand, maybe make a trip to the rasterbator to change the sizes, ensure that your tree is bigger than A4, and generally make your templates easier to manipulate. I didn't do any of those things - laser cutter, remember? - but you might want to try it if you're having trouble getting from the file to a template you want.
Attachments
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-20.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-19.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-18.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-17.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-16.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-15.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-14.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-13.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-12.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-11.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-10.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-9.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-8.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-7.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-6.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-5.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-4.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-3.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-2.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-1.eps
Christmas Tree Demo 2-parts-0.eps
Step 2: Layout
Lay out your pieces in advance so you have easy visual access to everything.
I started by assembling each vertical piece of the tree, the bits that look like branches + the base.
Then I taped the horizontal supports (the Z pieces) together as necessary. The bottom two horizontal supports each needed to be assembled, as they were larger than the laser cutter's bed. Some duct tape turned them into more or less fully intact supports.
Assemble this in your mind a few times before trying it out for real. Seriously. The base gave me a bit of trouble as I decided to ignore it until the end. After a few rounds of dis- and re-assembly, I figured it out. Better to visualize it than spend the frustrating time putting it together and tearing it apart repeatedly.
Step 3: Assemble
Start with a single vertical piece. Attach each Z horizontal support starting from the top, then work the circular base pieces in. Once you've gotten those pieces attached, try a second vertical piece, then a third, and so on.
This isn't terribly difficult to figure out, but it has the potential to be frustrating. Particularly with the five foot version I made. Floppy cardboard makes everything more difficult. Have no fear, though, because the more fully the tree is assembled, the sturdier it becomes.
You may want two people for this. One to hold, another to assemble.
Step 4: Decorate
Once you're done assembling the tree, you should probably decorate it. Naked cardboard is great and all, but it can be a little off-putting if your audience is hoping for a solid replacement for the traditional fir.
I recommend silver, green, and red decorations. The gold looks a little too much like cardboard. Also, from that second image, it would certainly appear that less is more. :-D

Participated in the
Holiday Gifts Challenge
9 Comments
7 years ago
I like it! I think if the cardstock is sturdy enough, the 'shelf' areas could be spots for gifts. It doesn't have to be expensive or fancy, just a thoughtful "little something" like a few candy canes for a peppermint lover, a pair of socks, some dog treats for pets, 'bird seed' ornaments for bird lovers, a book or two, a tea cup with teas, etc.... "OH FUN!" :)
7 years ago
Awesome idea!!!!!
10 years ago on Introduction
Hahaha, brilliant.
11 years ago on Introduction
Hahaa, I did a flat version to hang up on the wall to be out of reach of my cats, but wow, I want to do THIS ONE next year! Like Susanrm said, it has shelves for presents! And you could incorporate my toothpick-technique to hang the ornaments if the shelved are filled with presents.
11 years ago on Introduction
Very cute. :) I wanted to do something like this, but went with fabric because I could not stomach cutting all that cardboard by hand. :P
11 years ago on Introduction
It's got built-in shelves for presents!
11 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for sharing this! It sure has personality! This would be amazing painted up with an artist brush! Oh I can really see that. Maybe snow covered with a pretty red bird perched on a branch! Ah snowflakes! Thanks for sharing!
Sunshiine
11 years ago on Introduction
Hmmm. Could you use the little niche areas as shelves? I've a table I got on freecycle that is basically this slip slot construction out of fiberboard.
11 years ago on Introduction
Awe-some! Papercraft Jesus would be proud!