Two Pieces of Plywood Slide Together to Make Christmas Trees Without Glue or Screws
Two flat plywood cutouts can become a freestanding Christmas tree without glue, screws, or a separate base. The pieces have matching tree-shaped outlines, but the difference is in their slots: one is cut from the top and the other from the bottom, allowing them to slide together.
Homedit DIY contributor Chelsea Mohrman used thin plywood, a band saw, and paint to create a collection of wooden Christmas trees in different sizes. The design relies on two interlocking pieces rather than fasteners to hold each tree upright.
The finished trees have four supporting sections and can be painted in different colors or left with the natural wood exposed. They also come apart for storage after the holidays.
Two Plywood Cutouts Form Each Christmas Tree
The project starts with two pieces of thin plywood, each large enough for the planned tree. Chelsea used a ruler and pencil to draw the pointed top, angled branches, and wide base.
Stacking the two boards while marking and cutting helps produce matching shapes. A clamp can hold them together during cutting, with a band saw used to follow the outlines.
A straight line down the center marks where the pieces will connect.
Opposite Slots Allow the Wooden Pieces to Interlock
After cutting the tree outlines, Chelsea made a narrow slot from the tip to the middle of one piece. The matching piece received a slot from its base toward the center.
Each opening needs to match the plywood thickness so the two sections can fit together. The cuts meet near the middle of the tree, with the wood extending in four directions once assembled.
The slotted design holds the pieces at right angles without additional hardware.
The Wooden Trees Stand Without a Separate Base
Chelsea made several tree shapes in different heights, from small tabletop decorations to taller pieces with wider branches.
The unfinished plywood reveals the grain and cut edges. The trees can stand on a flat surface once their two halves are joined, with the wide lower sections providing support.
Each piece also remains removable, allowing the decorations to be stored flat rather than kept assembled.
Paint Changes the Look of the Plywood Trees
Chelsea painted the wooden trees yellow, pink, teal, and orange, leaving one with its natural plywood finish.
Acrylic paint can be applied with a brush, while spray paint is another option. The flat faces make the colors visible from different sides after the pieces are joined.
The tree shapes remain the same, with the painted surfaces and exposed grain accounting for the differences between them.
The Finished Trees Create a Colorful Christmas Display
The finished collection combines trees of different heights, with the large yellow piece standing beside smaller teal and pink versions. Their stepped branch profiles give each tree a geometric outline.
Unlike a conventional miniature Christmas tree, the design uses no central trunk, separate stand, or attached branches. The two plywood sections form the entire decoration.
Would you paint these wooden Christmas trees in bold colors or leave the plywood with its natural finish?