Handcrafted Cone Wreaths: A Forager's Guide to Winter Beauty

My wreath-making begins in late summer, when cones drop. I gather red pine along cedar breaks, tiny white cedar cones, Japanese larch from fence lines, hemlock from swampy woods, red spruce by the creek. By November, laundry baskets overflow. When December snows arrive, I start wiring.

Materials & Method

Cones (favorites for density): Red pine, Japanese larch, red spruce, eastern hemlock, white cedar.
Base: Wire wreath form.
Wire: 24-gauge copper—strong, durable, blends in.
Tools: Fine needle-nose pliers, wire cutters.
Extras: Dried seed heads (daylily, Siberian iris), rose hips, statice, strawflowers, hot glue for delicate bits.

Step-by-Step

1. Cut wire into 5–7-inch lengths.
2. Wire cones individually: wrap wire around cone base, twist onto form.
3. Work bottom to top, packing cones tightly. Hold up to a window to spot gaps.
4. Fill remaining spaces with dried botanicals—glue or tuck in.
5. Attach a wrapped wire hanger to the back.

Cone Species Used

• Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana)
• Red Pine (P. resinosa)
• Red Spruce (Picea rubens)
• Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
• Japanese Larch (Larix kaempferi)

The result: an organic, textural wreath that smells of forest and lasts for seasons. No two are alike—and that's the point.

Editor's note: Originally published December 1, 2007. Photos by author and Melody Rose.