How to Create a
Western Christmas Tree

Decorating a Western Christmas Tree for the holidays has never been so much fun!

The Western Christmas Tree could be an evergreen tree – or for a Wild West holiday option try using about three medium to large sage brush bushes wired together at the base. Another option would be to gather or purchase twenty or more antler and/or horn sheds.  A saguaro cactus plant about 7” tall, faux ones are available if the real plant will not survive in your home or area.

Western Evergreen:

If you are sticking with an evergreen, try a cedar tree it will add just enough texture to capture a touch of the west to make a fabulous Western Christmas Tree.  Another great choice is the blue spruce with a bit of bluish color to the needles and is common to the natural western landscape.

Sage Brush:

The sage brush tree is quick and easy to assemble with a bit of baling wire.  A fresh cut sage brush bush can add a lot of woodsy aroma to your holiday décor!  Be careful where or on what you place this very natural old west tree as the wire and branches can scratch a lot of surfaces.  It can be placed on heavy burlap for a floor skirt or on an old milk can for great a corner tree in the room.

Antlers and Horns:

The antler tree requires a ¼” threaded rod with a nut at each end all spray painted black or brown.  Then drill ¼” or ?” holes in the antlers about 3-4 inches in from the base and thread them onto the rod alternating antler point up and antler point down for a full tree (more up than down for handing the ornaments).  Drilling is easy enough, just a bit time consuming but well worth the results.  Play with the angle of the holes to get different resting effects of the antler on the rod.  Drill one for the top of the tree with about a 45 degree angle to get it tipped up more for the tree topper.  Use a two – three foot long rod to start with and using rod couples add one foot sections at a time.  The length of the rod will depend a lot on the size and shape – curves of the antlers you are using.  If you are using elk or moose sheds plan for both a larger ½” rod and more length.  Elk sheds make a great starter course even for a deer antler tree.  I buy my antler shed by the pound from local wild game butchers.  My recommend is to assemble the tree in its final resting spot as it is very awkward to move even for two people.

Tumble Weed:

Tumble weeds spray painted in a silver or gold metallic paint make a great table top tree.  Sling two strands of baling wire or medium weight jute twine around the base of the tumble weed pulling the four ends through the bottom of a terra cotta, gently snuggling the tumble weed to the top of the pot.  Separate the four stands of wire or twine coming out the bottom of the pot and bring them back up to the base of the tumble weed separating evenly around the pot.  Secure the wire or twine back to the tumble weed – near the base.  Place the pot in the terra cotta water tray and fill the tray with Small River rocks, using a funnel fill the terra cotta pot ¾ with fine sand and finish off the top of the pot with Small River rocks.

Saguaro Cactus:

The cactus plant of the upright tree type, like the Saguaro or the Mexican Lime cactus, make great Southwestern or Tex-Mex holiday theme trees.  As if the cactus isn’t prickly enough, add a rustic barbed wire for a garland, faux or dried dessert flowers floral wired on to the barbwire for ornaments and an old western felt cowboy hat for a topper.  Tie on just a few worn or well washed bandanas to the barbwire.  This tree must be used in safe environments as it is not safe for most pets, small children or elderly that may come into harms way either from the plant or a rusty cut from the barb wire.  Please be responsible with the use of this tree and its components.  Ranch hands always use thick leather gloves when handling these items and still end up with either torn cloths or rust scratches that fester and make you very sick at minimum.

Trailwood Western Store

Decorating Western Homes for the comfort of authentic western style living.