DIY Cylindrical Pot Cover for a Living Christmas Tree

Project Overview

This easy-to-make cylindrical surround masks the pot of a living Christmas tree. It's wrapped in ribbons and sized to the height and width of the pot, which sits in a waterproof saucer (elevate the saucer for air circulation). The design can also be scaled to fit a lower stand for a cut tree.

Time and Cost

• Time: About two hours
• Cost: About $20

Materials

• 2-foot-wide, 2-inch, 20-gauge poultry netting (about 25¢/foot) OR
• 4-foot-wide, 2-by-3-inch mesh fencing (about 79¢/foot)
• Tape measure
• Wire snips
• Gold spray paint
• Several long rolls of ribbon
• Scissors
• Glue gun

Cutting and Ribbon Calculation

Cut a rectangle of poultry netting or mesh fencing slightly larger than the height and circumference of the tree container. (For smooth top and bottom edges, fold the wire over on itself.) To estimate ribbon needed, lay the rectangle flat, count the rows of holes, measure each row's length, add at least a foot per row, and multiply by the number of rows. The example shown alternates bands of 3½-inch gold and taupe ribbons, gathered and twisted in diagonal single rows on poultry netting. Another version uses horizontal rows of metallic burgundy ribbon and vertical lines of gold through mesh fencing, plus additional horizontal rows with slender gold ribbon.

Directions

1. Spray the cut netting or fencing with gold paint.
2. On a flat surface, weave ribbons in rows through the wire grid.
3. For clean top and bottom edges, fold the ribbon over the wire edge and glue it to itself with a glue gun.
4. Wrap the surround around the pot and join the two ends with pieces of scrap wire.