Make This Dramatic DIY Fall Tree For Under Ten Dollars

Inside: Make this easy autumn tree with a branch from the yard and a fake fall leaf bush. You can have this showy fall decor in under 30 minutes and for less than $10 if you’ve already got a pot and wire!

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What to put in a two-story grand foyer that won’t look dinky?

I like to go big and dramatic in this space right inside our front door. But without the large price tag that goes with large home accessories. So when it came time to switch out my entryway arrangement for fall, it was time for a little DIY decor!

On a whim, I went out to the backyard and clipped an almost bare branch that I thought was about the right size to fill in the curved wall under the staircase.

Then I pulled a cream maple leaf faux bush from my stash to match my orange-free fall color scheme. Along with some floral wire and a styrofoam block, this easy DIY took me less than 30 minutes. And the best part—I spent less than $10!

Materials for a DIY Fall Tree.

• A lightweight bush or tree branch with a small diameter
• A styrofoam block
• Material to stuff around the styrofoam block; plastic bags, packing paper, etc.
• Faux fall leaf bush; Mine was from Michael’s but I only see it in this color online now
• Floral wire
• Pot or planter
• Optional: Spanish moss to finish off around the tree base

Instructions to make the DIY Faux Fall Tree.

1. Cut a branch that’s the height you desire and that has enough offshoot branches to attach the faux leaves to.

Important: To use this method with the styrofoam block, the base stem that goes into the styrofoam cannot be very large and needs to be lightweight! Otherwise, you’ll need to set it in concrete or Plaster of Paris to hold it in place.

2. Clean off any remaining or dead leaves.

My branch came off of a privet bush—you can see it still had a few leaves before I started.

3. Place the styrofoam block in the bottom of the planter. Then wedge it into place really well with whatever you have handy.

I used a combination of things that were already in the bottom of this urn from various ways I’ve used it: plastic bubble wrap, chicken wire, and cardboard pieces. Paper grocery bags and packing paper would be other good, inexpensive options.

4. Carefully push the branch down into the styrofoam until it can stand on its own. Don’t move it around or back and forth too much or it will enlarge the hole and the “tree” won’t stand up straight.

5. Cut apart sections of leaves with a pair of wire cutters or scissors. You can also precut the floral wire now if you want.

6. Then wire on the faux leaves by wrapping floral wire around the leaf stem and the branch:

I used green floral wire that I already had, but you can also buy brown floral wire if you’d like it to disappear a little more.

7. Keep attaching leaves until you are happy with the fullness and balance.

I chose to leave my fall tree pretty sparse, but you can make it as full as you like. I only used one faux fall leaf bush pick.

8. Finish the base of the tree trunk with some Spanish moss if you want.

I love how the asymmetry of this branch follows the line of the staircase! I added a few green and white pumpkins around it to match my neutral fall color theme in this area of the house.

See this decor in the foyer and the rest of the room in part one of this year’s fall tour, “Elegant Fall Decorating Ideas That Don’t Involve Orange“.

I’ll be dismantling this and throwing the branch away after this fall season. But if you’re making a more permanent tree, you might want to use brown floral tape over the wire.

You can check out the fall tour of this area last year in the post, “How to Brilliantly Decorate for Fall with Blue and White“.

This is also a great fall craft to add a touch of autumn to your front porch or outdoor decor for the season! Just make sure it’s totally covered and not subject to wind. This styrofoam base leaf tree method won’t hold up to any movement.

More Ideas for This Fun Craft.

If you decide to make your own autumn tree, here are some more ideas to get those creative juices flowing:

• Mix up different styles of colorful leaves in fall colors
• Place some mini pumpkins or pine cones at the base of the “trunk”
• Drape some really lightweight string lights or fairy lights around the branches

This faux tree is such a great way to fill this tall area of my foyer!

And the perfect way to say a big “Happy Fall” right when you walk through the door. I’m already scouting out another branch to make a more evergreen version…

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