When we spied these tabletop apple trees that designer Andrea Brooks created for an El Dorado home featured in our December issue, we had to know how to make them ourselves! Figuring you’d be equally curious, we asked Andrea to stop by and show us how:
(photo by Nancy Nolan)
These apple trees are super easy and fun
, and are a great way to add a fresh yet classic look to your holiday table.
1. Begin with a conical shaped form – mine are made from pressure treated lumber and nails. You can have anyone in your life who is handy (including you!) build them, and size depends on where you want to place them. As an alternative, you could also use a styrofoam form with floral pics. Place the form on a large decorative plate or platter before you add the apples!
2. I like to use the smaller red apples that come in a bag at your local grocery store. Remove the stems and rub each apple with a little vegetable oil to add shine and help preserve.
3. Starting at the bottom of the form add your apples by working your way around and up. Insert bottom end first!
4. Then fill in the gaps with fresh greenery of your choice. I picked up Christmas tree cuttings from my local nursery for free! You can also use holly berries or small magnolia leaves from the yard. Keep your topiary in a cool place and it can last up to two weeks. Also, i usually keep some extra apples on hand in case you need to replace a few.
(photo by Nancy Nolan)
With the apple blossom as our state flower, I can’t think of a more fitting way to express Christmas in Arkansas!
PS- Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a year-long subscription to At Home in Arkansas magazine! Click here for details, and to see our month-long Holiday Guest Blogger Series schedule.
In case you missed them:
P. Allen Smith’s favorite holiday recipes, especially for At Home
