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Bottle Tree Directions

According to Bottle Tree History, bottle trees have their origins in the African Congo. Ancient lore states that having bottles outside your home traps demons inside the bottles, where they cannot harm you or your household. Slaves brought the idea of bottle trees to the United States, where they are used now more as colorful garden decorations than demon-catching devices. You can make a bottle tree out of many different materials. Buy a metal tree form online and place your own colorful bottles on it, or you can fashion your own bottle tree from materials found at the hardware store.

Things You'll Need

  • 4-by-4-inch wooden post
  • Paint or stain
  • Saw
  • Drill
  • Wooden dowels
  • Wood glue
  • 5-gallon bucket
  • 1 bag quick-setting concrete
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash out all empty wine and beer bottles and allow to dry overnight.

    • 2

      Stain or paint all wood pieces. Allow to dry overnight.

    • 3

      Cut the 4-by-4-inch post to the desired height. Using the drill, make holes for the dowels. Drill the holes on an angle to provide a more tree-like appearance after you assemble the bottle-tree.

    • 4

      Mix the bag of quick-setting concrete in the bucket, following the manufacturer's instructions. Set the post into the concrete and allow the concrete to set.

    • 5

      Cut the dowels to desired lengths. Cut to differing lengths to give your tree a more realistic appearance.

    • 6

      Use wood glue and insert the dowels into the holes on the post. Allow the dowels to set.

    • 7

      "Plant" your tree by digging a large hole. Set the bucket in the hole and cover with dirt.

    • 8

      Carefully place bottles on the ends of the dowels. Bottles of colorful, assorted colors create a more authentic-looking tree.

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