Chicken Wire Christmas Tree DIY

In this blog you will find out how to make a chicken wire Christmas tree.

 

OVERVIEW

• Experience Required: Medium
• Tools Required: Pliers, Wire Cutters, Protective Gloves
• Materials Required:
  • Chicken Wire (120cm x 150cm)
  • 6x Stakes (90cm long each)
  • Christmas Lights (15m long)
  • Tying Wire (2.5m long)
  • Lacing Wire
  • Spray Paint (preferably green)

STEP 1) Cut Tying Wire

• You will need to create two hoops to create and hold the cone shape of the Christmas tree together.
• Cut an approximately 150cm long piece and a 100cm long piece of tying wire for the top and bottom hoops. 

 

STEP 2) Make Tying Wire Hoops

 

• Bend the tying wire into a hoop with a small overlap.
• Tie it off with thin lacing wire to secure it into place.

 

STEP 3) Insert First Stake Into the Bottom Hoop

• Tie the bigger hoop at a 20cm distance from the bottom of the first stake with the lacing wire.

 

STEP 4) Place the Top Hoop

• Place the smaller hoop onto the stake at 40cm from the top and secure it with the lacing wire.

 

STEP 5) Insert the Remaining Stakes

• Place the next stake on the opposite side and tie it to both hoops at equal distances.
• Repeat the same steps with the rest of the stakes at even distances – insert and secure to both hoops. 
• Make sure to always place opposite stakes.

 

STEP 6) Secure the Top of the Stakes

• To give stability to the structure, tie the top of the stakes together.
• Just wrap the thin lacing wire in between and around the stakes to hold them in place.

 

STEP 7) Measure the Mesh

• Roll out a length of chicken wire, lay the structure on it and wrap the mesh around it.
• This way you’ll roughly have the length you need to wrap the structure completely (approx. 120cm x 150cm).

 

STEP 8) Cut the Mesh

• Cut down the chicken wire with wire cutters or tin snips.
• Tip: if the mesh is very lightweight, you may even be able to cut it with a good pair of household scissors.

 

STEP 9) Secure the Mesh to the Frame

• Secure the mesh to the frame with the lacing wire.
• Make small hooks in the form of a J to make the job quicker and easier. 
• Pull the mesh slightly before attaching it to each stake so that it stays taut.

 

STEP 10) Cut Down Excess Mesh

• Once you secured the chicken wire to each stake, cut down the excess chicken wire at the bottom of the structure.
• You can use a ruler or an object with a straight edge to guide you and achieve a precise cut.

 

STEP 11) Paint the Structure (Optional)

• Use a spray paint to give the structure an even colour, preferably green to imitate a real pine tree.
• Paint it from top to bottom, making sure that the paint covers the chicken wire evenly.
• Let it dry for an hour.

 

STEP 12) Wrap the Frame in Christmas Lights

• Start from the top and make your way down in spirals.
• Once you reach the bottom, tie the light strand to the mesh and start in a different direction if you still have some of it left.

 

STEP 13) Secure the End of The Light Strand

• Once you’ve run out of lights, secure the end to the mesh with some tape or the lacing wire. 

 

STEP 14) Plug it in

• Your Xmas tree should now be ready so you can plug the lights in.
• Put on some holiday music as now you have something to rock around at the Christmas party hop. 🙂