Do you have tree branches that need to be removed? Don’t just throw away the wood. Instead, use wood slices to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind set of DIY coasters. These wooden coasters will be an instant talking point at any gathering…and will protect your furniture from water rings and spills. Here’s how to create your own set.
Sometimes the most beautiful DIYs are the simplest ones. What’s a good example? When you create a set of branch coasters from a fallen tree, the beauty of the tree lives on and the growth rings tell a story.
When pruning or cutting back your garden, look at what you’re going to throw into the wood chipper or firewood pile. Tree slices can be made into many different things, but my favorite are the branch coasters I made a few years ago.
I’ve been using cedar coasters for almost four years now, and I’ve had a lot of questions about their practicality. We’ve updated this original article and added some FAQs at the end of the DIY instructions. in short? I still love it and use it every day!
This post is about…
How to make DIY branch coasters
It was a sad day when the biggest and oldest tree on my street was cut down and unceremoniously tossed into a construction dumpster. The 50-foot Western Red Cedar still had plenty of good years left in it, but it was in the way of developer dollar signs, and no amount of logic could sway them.
Neighbors came to say goodbye, picking up a memento or two as they waded through the rubble. Tears fell down my face. It’s amazing how much of an impact trees can have and how much loss they feel when they are treated with little respect.
I gathered some thick branches and made a set of coasters and gave them to neighbors who remembered their children climbing on the same branches years ago.
You can make these wood slice coasters even if you don’t have a personal story about the tree. The next time you see a tree removal crew working, ask the homeowner if they can lend you some branches for the project. Chances are, they’ll have no problem giving you a branch or two.
The project is easy, but it takes time to cut and sand each piece. The more time you spend revising, the better the final product will be.
material
Please make it
1. Use a saw to cut a 1/2-inch thick section of the branch.
2. Sand each section with thick sandpaper, then use finer sandpaper to smooth the surface. Do not sand the bark at the edges.
3. Apply clear varnish to the front, back and sides and let dry. Untreated wood also looks great because it absorbs water droplets and condensation from the glass placed over it.
4. Although it seems very simple on the surface, we get a lot of questions about how to make it. Many of them are answered in the FAQ section below.
Optional: Add designs with wood burning
The wood grain is beautiful on its own, but you may want to add something extra special. All you need to create a design like this is an inexpensive wood burner, a little time, and some creativity.
Check out this article to learn how to make a firewood coaster.
Another great option is to turn them into Christmas tree ornaments. I made these and hung them both indoors and outdoors.
DIY coaster FAQ
As I mentioned above, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about these wooden coasters since I created this project many years ago. We’ve done our best to answer the most frequently asked questions here, but if you have any questions that aren’t addressed, please leave them in the comments below.
Before cutting the coasters, I let the wood dry slowly in a cool, dry room. Drying in a room with limited humidity and heat allows the wood to dry slowly and prevent cracking. I put it in the basement in the fall and pulled it out the following year, so it took months. I tested to see if the edges were cut even when the wood was dry. Even after this process, some of them still cracked. I had so many other things I wanted to do, so I threw them away.
I cannot tell you the exact number of months it will take for the wood to dry. This is because it may take some time depending on how wet the wood is, how fresh it is, and where you are drying it. The best method is to let it dry until it’s dry when you cut into the wood. Test it and leave it longer if you need more time.
I used Varathane clear satin varnish. The varnish was labeled as clear, but in the tin it was a honey color. This made the final coaster look a little darker than dry wood (like wet wood), which I liked as expected.
no. Perhaps another type of wood can leak sap. However, I have dried the wood thoroughly and have never seen a single drop of sap in the four years I have used it.
Due to the type of wood, Western Red Cedar, the bark remained intact. I was careful not to peel it off, but it is quite sturdy. I also varnished the sides around the bark.
When you sand it, it’s smooth so nothing gets scratched, and because it’s varnished and allowed to dry, it doesn’t get dirty. However, you can also put felt or small feet if you wish.
Of course, you can also keep it at home and enjoy it for years like I did. However, if you have extra, it would make a nice gift. Consider giving a set of these coasters as a gift along with a mug and tea or coffee set.
There are lots of other ideas and tips in the comments section. Please give it a read and let me know if you have any advice.
More garden crafts I want to try
Make DIY coasters from wood slices
Learn how to make your own stunning DIY coasters from wood slices. If you have a fallen tree, this is the best way to preserve your grain and enjoy it for years to come.
Use a handsaw to slice the branches into 1/2-inch thick slices. Try to keep the slices as even and straight as possible.
Sand each wood slice using thick grit paper first, then use finer grit to smooth it out. Do not sand the bark.
Wipe it clean and then apply clear varnish to the front, back and sides. This is optional, but can extend the life of your wooden coaster.
A city girl learned gardening and it changed everything. Writer, artist, master gardener. A better life through plants.
