You Can Make These Chic, Modern Outdoor Christmas Trees With Plywood and Paint
Skip the pricey storebought stuff and make your own Scandinavian-inspired holiday decor.
![Modern Outdoor Christmas Tree Man Standing With Painted Wooden Christmas Tree](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Beauties-2.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1574285990320.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/editorial/profiles/editors/Deanne-Revel/Headshot.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.91.91.85.suffix/1436883232430.jpeg)
Love modern Christmas decor? Host Jason Pickens has the perfect project for you! Instead of the same cutesy outdoor decorations, you can make these seriously chic Christmas trees with just two pieces of plywood! Yep, all you need is two pieces of scrap wood and a free afternoon. Read on for the how-to and deck your yard with this super trendy DIY.
![Modern Outdoor Christmas Trees Three Plywood Christmas Trees in Varying Heights Displayed on Porch](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Handmade_Holiday-91.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1574285991261.jpeg)
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Materials Needed
- 2 4’ x 8’ sheets of plywood
- tape measure
- circular saw
- safety glasses
- ear protection
- painter’s tape
- paint roller
- drill
- 1 ⅝ inch drywall screws
Start with a 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood. For the larger tree, mark a center mark at two feet. From the center mark, draw a line to each corner at the bottom of the sheet of plywood. For the medium tree, make a 6-foot mark. Mark a center mark at two feet. From the center mark, draw a line to each corner at the bottom of the sheet of plywood. With the remaining 2’ x 4’ section of plywood, measure and mark the smallest tree. Make a mark in the center of the piece at one foot. From the center mark, draw a line to each corner at the bottom of the section of plywood. Repeat above steps for the second 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood. Using a circular saw, cut the plywood along the marked lines.
![Using a tape measure, mark the plywood with a marker.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Steps-4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1574286059122.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
![Measure the wood and make markings for each tree.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Steps-2.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1574286119397.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
![Using a saw, cut the plywood at the marked lines.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Steps-4g.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1574286061138.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
![The triangular pieces of plywood will be assembled standing upright to resemble a tree.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Steps-4f.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1574286061106.jpeg)
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To create and paint a 3D tree design, use a piece of card stock to mark the tree edges. Fold the piece of card stock in half. Mark the edges and move the piece of paper up the side of plywood, marking each triangle tree edge. Repeat on both sides. Using painter’s tape, tape along the marked lines. Using a roller, paint inside the taped-off area with an exterior paint. Remove painter’s tape and set aside to dry. Paint a second coat if desired. Set aside to dry. Repeat above steps for each tree or create your own painted design!
![To make the tree look 3-D, you'll need four identical triangular pieces.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Steps-5.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1574286062123.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
![Using a pencil and a piece of folded paper, mark the edges for the Christmas tree on the plywood.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Steps-6.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1574286062459.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
![Using painters tape, tape out the marked triangles.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Steps-8.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1574286063259.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
![Using a roller, paint the plywood any color you like. Just make sure to use exterior paint.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Steps-9.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1574286063396.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
![Paint the piece of wood to look like a 3-D tree.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Steps-10.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1574286063589.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
To assemble each tree, stand up four pieces and screw together using 1 ⅝ inch drywall screws.
![Once the paint has dried, assemble the pieces of plywood to form the shape of a Christmas tree.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Steps-12.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1574286064401.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
![Using a drill, add screws to connect the wood pieces.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Steps-13.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1574286064410.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
![Using a drill, add screws to support the Christmas tree.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Steps-14.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1574286065007.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
![Love modern Scandinavian style? These outdoor Christmas trees are super chic and super easy to make.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/11/20/2/Original_Cassidy_Garcia_Wood_Trees_Beauties-1.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1574286034973.jpeg)
Cassidy Garcia
![DIY Giant Wooden Trees](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/video/7/79/796/7964/7964800.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.85.suffix/1660752690146.jpeg)
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