Arboreal Paper Sculptures

Time needed: 1 day (including drying times)

This captivating tree art project is not only fun to create but also an excellent way to utilize leftover scrap wood, transforming it into a beautiful piece of decor. Follow these detailed steps to bring your vision to life.

1. Step 1: Cut Frame Pieces for Your Foundation

   Begin by preparing the exterior frame pieces. Instead of precise measurements, embrace a more organic approach for this scrap wood project. Line up the edge of your scrap wood with one of the grooves on your miter saw’s throat plate. This technique allows you to make four identical width cuts without the need for a tape measure, creating consistent pieces for your frame. Ensure these cuts are clean and straight to form a sturdy base. This method is particularly satisfying for quickly transforming random wood pieces into usable components.
   
   

2. Step 2: Prepare the Interior Frame Supports

   Next, focus on the interior pieces of the frame, which will create a recess for your plywood backing. Adopt a similar “no-measure” strategy: use the small width between the blade and the edge of your miter saw’s cutting area to create narrower strips. Once cut, trim these pieces to fit precisely within the soon-to-be-assembled exterior frame. A helpful tip for safety and stability: use another piece of scrap wood as a jig to hold these smaller, thinner cuts securely while you saw them. This prevents kickback and ensures cleaner, safer cuts.
   
   

3. Step 3: Assemble the Frame and Prepare for Finish

   With your frame pieces ready, it’s time for assembly. Apply wood glue to the joining edges and secure each piece together in a spiral fashion, forming a square or rectangular box. Because you’re using scrap wood, there might be slight warping; clamps are invaluable here to hold everything tightly until the glue dries, ensuring a strong, seamless bond. Once the exterior frame is solid, glue the smaller, thinner cuts inside the frame. Offset them strategically so that the plywood backing will sit deep within the frame, creating a subtle shadow box effect that adds depth and dimension when the MDF tree is later glued into place. After the glue has fully cured, fill any nail holes or minor imperfections with wood filler. Once dry, sand the entire frame smooth, preparing it for a beautiful stain or paint finish.
   
   

4. Step 4: Cut the Plywood Backing to Size

   For the backing of your art piece, thin walnut plywood offers a rich, appealing aesthetic. If you have leftover pieces from other projects, like a DIY jewelry organizer, this is an excellent opportunity to repurpose them. Measure the interior dimensions of your assembled frame and carefully cut the plywood to fit snugly. To minimize splintering, especially when making cross-cuts against the wood grain, apply painter’s tape along your cut line before sawing. This simple trick helps achieve clean, professional edges, ensuring your backing looks flawless and integrates perfectly with the frame.

5. Step 5: Design and Cut Out the Tree Shape from the Plywood Backing

   Now for the artistic heart of the project: the tree cutout. Start by selecting a tree image from a reliable source, such as a stock photo site. For a more intricate design, you might duplicate and overlap the image in a photo editing program like Photoshop to create a dense, organic pattern. While aiming for every minute detail can be challenging and time-consuming, use your chosen image as a general template. Once the basic shape is transferred, feel free to use your scroll saw for some freehand cutting, adding your personal touch and refining the contours of the tree. This allows for a unique, handcrafted look that truly reflects your artistic vision.
   

6. Step 6: Apply Finish to Highlight Natural Beauty

   With the tree cutout complete, prepare the plywood for finishing. Sand both sides of the plywood to a silky smooth finish. Then, apply a high-quality wood finish such as Maker Brand Simple Finish. This product is exceptional at bringing out the rich, natural colors and intricate grain patterns in wood, especially walnut, making it one of the most rewarding steps. For the outer frame, consider applying a white wash stain. This lighter finish creates a beautiful contrast with the dark walnut, emphasizing the depth and texture of your tree art and adding a touch of modern farmhouse charm.

7. Step 7: Cut and Paint the MDF Tree

   To create the striking three-dimensional effect, you’ll need a second tree cutout from MDF. Utilize scrap MDF, perhaps from previous projects like this fall leaves scroll saw art. Cut out another tree shape, ensuring it’s slightly different in size or contour to create visual interest. Once cut, sand the edges smooth to remove any burrs, then spray paint it black. This dark, opaque finish will stand out vividly against the natural wood of the backing, accentuating the “negative space” created by the first cutout and adding a contemporary edge to your holiday decor.
   

8. Step 8: Final Assembly and Display

   With all components finished, it’s time to bring your art piece together. Carefully glue the walnut plywood backing with its cutout tree into the recessed area of your frame. Then, glue the black MDF tree cutout precisely into the opening of the plywood backing. If your scrap wood frame had any slight warping, you might need to make minor trim cuts in the plywood to ensure a perfectly snug fit. Apply consistent pressure and allow adequate drying time for all glue to set. Once dry, your unique DIY tree cutout art is ready to adorn your walls or mantelpiece, casting interesting shadows and adding a sophisticated, handmade touch to your holiday decorations.