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Each tree is built from just a handful of angle-cut pieces stacked into rows: a peaked top made from two boards — one 1" shorter than the other — glued and nailed together, then two rows of shorter branch pieces added below at measured offsets, a wider base board, and a trunk block. All the cuts are simple vertical miter saw cuts at 40° or 25° off square; if your saw does compound bevels you can angle the blade instead, but it isn't required.
These three sizes are exact cut lists, not one size scaled by eye — small, medium, and large each have their own precise board lengths below, so you can build one or all three without guessing at proportions. Clamping the peak pieces together while the glue sets makes a real difference to how clean that top joint ends up.
The three trees are sized to nest inside each other for storage — build all three from this single project and they stack away together after the holidays rather than needing separate storage each.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x board scrap, 3 ft total (small tree) |
| 1 each |
| 1x board scrap, 4 ft total (medium tree) | 1 each |
| 1x board scrap, 6 ft total (large tree) | 1 each |
| Wood glue | 3 oz |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4" | 30 each |
Overall cost: $. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree - top piece, tall1x board scrap, 3 ft total (small tree)Long point to long point; one end 40° off square, other end 25° off square. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 6 3/8" |
| Small tree - top piece, short1x board scrap, 3 ft total (small tree)Long point to long point; one end 40° off square, other end 25° off square. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 5 3/8" |
| Small tree - branch pieces1x board scrap, 3 ft total (small tree)Long point to short point; ends parallel, both ends cut at 25° off square. | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" |
| Small tree - base1x board scrap, 3 ft total (small tree)Long point to long point; ends NOT parallel, both ends cut at 25° off square. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 5 1/2" |
| Small tree - trunk1x board scrap, 3 ft total (small tree) | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 2 3/4" |
| Medium tree - top piece, tall1x board scrap, 4 ft total (medium tree)Long point to long point; one end 40° off square, other end 25° off square. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 9 1/8" |
| Medium tree - top piece, short1x board scrap, 4 ft total (medium tree)Long point to long point; one end 40° off square, other end 25° off square. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 8 1/8" |
| Medium tree - branch pieces1x board scrap, 4 ft total (medium tree)Long point to short point; ends parallel, both ends cut at 25° off square. | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 4 1/2" |
| Medium tree - base1x board scrap, 4 ft total (medium tree)Long point to long point; ends NOT parallel, both ends cut at 25° off square. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 9 1/2" |
| Medium tree - trunk1x board scrap, 4 ft total (medium tree) | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 4 3/4" |
| Large tree - top piece, tall1x board scrap, 6 ft total (large tree)Long point to long point; one end 40° off square, other end 25° off square. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 12 3/8" |
| Large tree - top piece, short1x board scrap, 6 ft total (large tree)Long point to long point; one end 40° off square, other end 25° off square. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 11 3/8" |
| Large tree - branch pieces1x board scrap, 6 ft total (large tree)Long point to short point; ends parallel, both ends cut at 25° off square. | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 5 1/2" |
| Large tree - base1x board scrap, 6 ft total (large tree)Long point to long point; ends NOT parallel, both ends cut at 25° off square. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 13 7/8" |
| Large tree - trunk1x board scrap, 6 ft total (large tree) | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 6 3/4" |
Buy 2 boards at 8 ft.
2 boards
Cut the two top pieces for each tree size, one 1" shorter than the other, with a 40° cut on the top end and a 25° cut on the bottom end.
Attach the two top pieces together with 1-1/4" brad nails and wood glue, clamping while the glue sets.
Measure and mark down 1/2" from the peak and add the first row of branch pieces with glue and brad nails.
Measure, mark, and add the second row of branch pieces.
Attach the base piece to the bottom of the tree.
Add the trunk piece to the base. Repeat the whole process for each tree size — they're designed to nest together for storage.
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Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →