Decorating an evergreen tree with edible treats for wild birds is a fun winter project. It’s a great opportunity to watch the wild birds in your area, while they feed before you. If there’s a handsome evergreen tree begging to be decorated in your yard, you can easily start an annual tradition the whole family will enjoy.
Here are a few ways to find a tree for this cute project, if your yard lacks a majestic evergreen–
- Visit a local farm market or garden center–many give unsold, cut trees away after Christmas.
- Once you remove the ornaments from your Christmas tree in the house, set it up outside for the wild birds.
- Buy a living evergreen tree and plant it in a prime location in your yard.
- If a full-size, mature tree isn’t doable, a small, young tree can be placed outdoors on a picnic table.
Location, location, location. Position the tree where you can easily move around when decorating. Then afterwards, admire it from every angle in the yard and indoors through the windows of the house. Once you’ve selected the perfect spot, before decorating, you’ll want to ensure it doesn’t blow over. Dig a narrow hole in the ground with a posthole digger and bury the base or set the tree into a cement urn or block and fill cavity with stones to anchor it in place.
If you live in an apartment or condo with no yard, and no place to stand a tree for birds to feed on, there are other options.
- Decorate a tree in your subdivision or get permission to decorate a tree in a local park, community center, or church grounds.
- Decorating a tree on the property of an assisted living home would be a wonderful gift to its residents. Contact the manager.
- Plan a special outing to nearby woodlands. Decorating a tree on the edge of a forest provides food for field and forest creatures. The ground around the tree should be free of tall grasses for your safety and the animals too. (Be sure to see my book recommendations below.)
Edible ornaments can be made a day or two in advance of decorating. Keep edible ornaments in a cool, dry place until ready to hang outdoors. Never use wire hooks to hang ornaments outdoors. This project can get a little sticky and gooey. Cover the work area with a large tray, newspaper or easy to clean tablecloth. If weather permits, make ornaments outside.
Edible Ornaments (and Supplies Needed) to String on an Outdoor Tree -
· Thread popcorn and fresh cranberries onto fishing line using a large needle to make edible garlands to string on a tree.
· Dip long strands of twine into a bowl of molasses then into a tray of birdseed for edible garlands.
· Popcorn balls and seed balls can be tied to the tree with string.
· Fresh apples. Remove apple stems and core fresh apples. Slice cored apples into rings. Slip a looped piece of string or twine through the center and hang it on the tree.
· Cut cardboard into small triangles, circles, or other festive shapes using stencils. Punch a hole near the top and insert a loop of string for hanging. Coat both sides of the cardboard shape with peanut butter or molasses. Sprinkle any of the following: bird seed, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and dried corn kernels onto the sticky base.
· Coat metal or plastic cookie cutters with peanut butter or molasses. Then sprinkle birdseed onto the cookie cutters, thoroughly covering. Loop a strand of twine or ribbon through each cookie cutter, tie a knot at the top before hanging.
· Tie a loop of twine around a pinecone. Spread peanut butter on the pinecone with a knife. Then, sprinkle birdseed or sunflower seeds on next and its ready to hang on your tree.
Bring a warm blanket and a thermos of your favorite hot cider or cocoa. Once the tree is decorated with ornaments, take a moment to sit and admire your handiwork and the wild birds it attracts.
Next up, story time.
I love pairing a great book reading along with a fun project. You may want to read an inspiring book first, then decorate the tree. Either way is delightful. Here are three of my favorite children’s books to inspire you to decorate a tree with edible treats for wild birds. You’ll find these books at most libraries, your favorite bookseller, and video readings on YouTube. (I’ve included the video links below.) The first two include decorating a tree. The Christmas Owl is based on a true story about an owl in the Rockefeller Christmas tree.
Inspiring Children’s Book Recommendations for your Tree of Treats -
The Night Tree by Eve Bunting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPp7a95CGp4
The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRnYMUSVp_o
The Christmas Owl by Ellen Kalish and Gideon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUVURBrZrZk
Enjoy the Best of the Season.
By Deborah S. Tukua, author of Traveling the Natchez Trace Parkway from A to Z.
Join our list at www.deborahstukua.com