DIY Outdoor Wooden Christmas Tree - Giant
Triangular trees take time, tenacity, and timber! This super simple project can be completed in about an hour for the pallet version, or a few hours for our giant seven-foot tree. Both options are perfect for adding festive cheer to your outdoor space while repurposing scrap wood.
Project Overview
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Required: 1-4 hours
Note: Great for using scrap materials
Two Trees, One Tutorial
Pallet Wood Tree
- Takes about 1 hour to complete
- Perfect for small spaces
- Can be made from a single pallet
- Lightweight and easily movable
- Great beginner project
Giant Scrap Wood Tree
- Takes about 3-4 hours to complete
- Makes a dramatic statement (our tree was 7 feet tall)
- Requires deck boards or similar lumber
- Uses a 4×4 post as the trunk
- Weather-resistant for multiple seasons
Sourcing Scrap Wood: The Secret Agent Game
Sourcing scrap wood might be my favorite secret agent game ever. Here are my top places to find materials for this project:
Pallet Hunting
Pallets are everywhere! Once you start looking, it's amazing how many you'll find. Look for ones with at least one good side - the other is usually in rough shape.
Pro tip: Many businesses are happy to have you take away their unwanted pallets.
Discount Wood Sections
Home Depot and Lowe's have marked-down sections for cut or damaged wood. Discounts range from 10%-100%. Our giant tree was made from deck boards marked down 70%.
Pro tip: Just smile and ask for an additional discount!
Facebook Marketplace
Local businesses often post free pallets online hoping someone will take them away. It's a fantastic resource for finding wood.
Pro tip: Set up alerts for "free wood" or "free pallets" in your area.
Selecting Your Scrap Wood
Look for pieces that are clean and intact. Avoid wood that's splintered or broken in the middle. For longer pieces with damaged ends, remember you can always cut off the bad parts.
Decoration Ideas
Budget-Friendly Options
- Dollar store garland wrapped around the tree
- Battery-operated fairy lights (no need for outdoor outlets)
- Plastic ornaments that can withstand weather
- Solar-powered spotlights from the garden section
- Weather-resistant ribbons and bows
Weather Considerations
Since this is an outdoor decoration, consider these weather tips:
- Use exterior grade paint if painting your tree
- Select weather-resistant ornaments and decorations
- Secure decorations well to withstand wind
- Check electrical connections regularly if using powered lights
- Consider a cover for the electrical box if using outdoor outlets
Final Thoughts
This was a really fun project that added a unique touch to our outdoor holiday decorations. Though our neighbors may have thought I was nuts at first, they were impressed with the final result!
The pallet wood Christmas tree has been done before, but I improvised the giant scrap tree version. The best part is that both versions lasted the entire winter season - the giant tree never blew over despite its height. When the season was over, we were able to take it apart quickly and easily for storage.
I truly hope my DIY Christmas Tree instructions help you build your own. If you need assistance, please share your thoughts in the comments or email me at thecraftycatsman@gmail.com. I'd be thrilled to feature your finished projects on the site!
Enjoy The Hunt!
A big part of the joy in this project is sourcing the materials. I hope you have as much fun hunting for pallets and scrap wood as I did. Happy building!
Tools You'll Need
Materials Needed
Pallets or Scrap Wood
Reclaimed pallets or deck boards
4×4 Post (for giant tree)
Serves as the trunk for the larger tree
Step-by-Step Instructions
1Source Your Materials
For the pallet tree, find a clean, intact pallet. For the giant tree, look for discounted deck boards at home improvement stores or check Facebook Marketplace for free lumber. Pressure-treated wood is ideal for outdoor use as it will withstand the elements for years.
2Mark Your Cuts
For the pallet tree: Using a ruler or straight piece of wood, trace a triangle onto the pallet. You'll only need to make two straight cuts per side. Remove any screws that are in the path of your cut lines.
For the giant tree: Decide on the spacing between boards (we made our gaps equal to the width of a deck board). Lay out your boards with even spacing and mark your triangular cuts.
3Cut the Wood
For the pallet tree: Wearing safety goggles, use your circular saw to cut along the two lines you drew. Flip the pallet over and cut the other side, or simply remove the back entirely.
For the giant tree: Cut each board individually according to your markings to create the triangular shape.
4Create a Base (Pallet Tree)
For the pallet tree: Use one of the discarded pieces of wood from your cuts as the base. Simply screw it to the bottom of the pallet triangle for stability.
For the giant tree: Skip to the next step.
5Assemble the Giant Tree
For the giant tree only: Use a 4×4 post as the 'trunk' of your tree. Lay the post on the ground and screw each board to it using outdoor wood screws (about 4 screws per board). Use a piece of scrap wood as a spacer to maintain consistent gaps between boards. For mounting, either dig a hole for the post, or cut a notch in the bottom board to slide over a deck railing.
6Paint Your Tree (Optional)
If desired, paint your tree with exterior paint for weather protection and aesthetic appeal. We painted our giant tree white to create a nice backdrop for the decorations and to help it stand out in the yard.
7Decorate
Have fun decorating your tree! We wrapped ours with dollar store garland, wove fairy string lights throughout, and added weather-resistant ornaments. Consider adding a small spotlight at the base to illuminate your creation at night.
8Install the Tree
For the pallet tree: Simply place it in your desired location. Add weight to the base if needed for stability.
For the giant tree: Secure the 4×4 post in your chosen location. We slid ours through a hole in our deck, but you could also dig a hole in the ground or secure it to an existing fence or wall.
