Tree slices have a rustic character. They bring a touch of down-to-earthness and a natural atmosphere into the home, which is why the wooden structure is a popular pattern for seat cushions or carpets. Tree slices are ideal natural materials for crafting and building furniture.
Decorative pieces of furniture made from tree slices
The lower area of the tree trunk is referred to as a tree disk. In some cases, tree slices are also sawn off from the ends of branches. They are decorative elements and serve as utility items and pieces of furniture. The pieces of wood can have a diameter between two and 100 centimeters. Conventional tree discs from the hardware store are 30 to 40 centimeters wide. Slices cut crosswise or longitudinally from oak, acacia, birch or apple trees are particularly popular. Pine and beech provide inexpensive wooden discs.
Uses of tree discs:
- Serving platter: for cheese and fruit
- Table top: side table, coffee table, washstand or dining table
- Furniture: Seat for stool, space for shelf
- Pillow: as a ring pillow for wedding rings
- Garden: as stepping stones
Excursus
Wooden slices made of teak
The teak tree is extremely valuable because of its wood. The knot-free trunks are ideal for processing because they do not form cracks when drying. The surface remains attractive for a long time thanks to the natural oils. These also make the wood resistant to weather influences. Teak is extremely durable. The heartwood has fungicidal and insecticidal properties. Because of the color of the wood and the peculiar growth habit, teak tree slices are preferred for wooden tables. These are protected with glass.
What you should consider when buying
Small tree slices can be used for Christmas crafts, for example
Tree slices are not only available in hardware stores such as Bauhaus, Obi or Hornbach but also in decoration stores. At Depot or Nanu Nana you will mainly find smaller models that are suitable for crafting, decorating and designing. If you need an individual tree slice for a larger project, you can also ask the forester. If a tree is felled in the neighborhood, this is a good opportunity to collect material.
Interior style
Which type of wood you choose depends on the style of your home and individual preferences. The thicker the tree disc is, the more massive the element appears. Thin tree slices create a delicate and subtle look. Each type of wood warps to different degrees as it dries. The hardness of the wood also plays an important role in your selection. Pine is a softer wood that is easier to work with than oak, birch or beech. These tree slices are more suitable for building tables.
Processing type
Tree slices are often cut with a chainsaw. However, this does not create a smooth surface. The bumps can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Such tree slices are not suitable as table tops. They must be milled flat with a router or a thickness planer. Clean and straight cuts are created when the tree slice was cut with a log band saw.
Wood moisture
The moisture content of the wood plays a big role. If the wood is too moist, undesirable cracks or mold can develop when it dries later. For outdoor use, the level of humidity is not important as it can dry out due to drafts. If you have options for drying the tree disc, you don't have to base your purchase decision on the moisture content of the wood.
How to check wood moisture:
- feel with your hand
- Cracks indicate dried tree slices
- moist wood is usually darker colored
- a wood moisture meter provides reliable information
Storage
Look at how the tree slices are stored. Simple wooden strips are often placed between the panes so that they can dry better. However, such stacking strips leave marks in the wood and are therefore not suitable for storage. Beech wood is particularly vulnerable. You can often find such unsightly signs of storage on other types of wood. If tree slices are stacked on aluminum strips, there is no risk of marks or discoloration.
Woodworking
Tree slices should first be dried and oiled
Before using the material, you should dry and oil the wood. This makes the tree disc more resilient and lasts longer. You can also leave the wood unfinished to create a natural character.
Dry without cracks
In order to dry wood properly, the moisture must be released evenly. Wood dries from the outside in. The outer layer shrinks before the heartwood can release water. Drying the wood without cracking is therefore not easy. Using sawdust or hay promotes an even drying process and reduces the formation of cracks. Fill a mortar tray with absorbent material and place the tree disc in it. You need to ventilate the blanks daily. If mold or mildew forms, only short-term air drying will help.
Fill cracks
Filling the drying cracks is recommended if you want to use the plate as a table. Epoxy resin is ideal as a gap filler because it bonds to the wood and won't tear later. The resin can then be colored and adapted to individual taste. Once you have filled the cracks, you should sand the tree disk smooth with 400 grit. For natural tree slices, a grain size of 150 is sufficient.
Sanding or planing?
If you want to sand the tree disc smooth, you need to work your way from coarse to fine sandpaper. During this machining process, the surface is first roughened with a grain size between 100 and 120. The wood is then coated with a damp sponge and sanded with fine sandpaper with a grain size of 180 to 200. The appearance of a smooth surface is created. However, this seems rather dull. When you plane the wood, the surface becomes really smooth and has a fine sheen. However, planing requires some practice.
Sealing
To seal the wood, you can oil it. Make sure that the oils do not pose any he alth or environmental hazards. Natural substances are painted onto the tree disc until the wood is saturated and no longer absorbs oil. After drying, a smooth surface is created that repels dirt and no longer allows water to pass through. This impregnation makes it easier to clean the objects later.
Suitable oils for waterproofing:
- Coconut oil
- Beeswax
- linseed oil
Polishing
Regular polishing of the tree disc ensures it lasts longer because the protective layer is renewed. A high-quality olive oil is ideal for polishing. Put a few drops of oil on a lint-free cloth and rub the wood evenly. After a few hours of drying time, you can wipe off any residue. Alternatives to olive oil are mixtures of linseed or bamboo oil with a dash of lemon juice. A gentle alternative for caring for oak wood is light beer, which you warm up slightly before use.
DIY: furniture and decorative elements
Tree slices are ideal for crafting. Natural materials create a unique atmosphere. Round, oval or elongated tree slices can be processed with bark or without bark. Your annual rings make each piece unique, which can be further personalized with an engraving.
Build a table from a tree slice
Tables made from tree slices are a beautiful, modern piece of furniture
A living room table looks more interesting the higher the contrast between the tree disc and the legs. Copper table legs or brushed steel supports give the object an industrial touch. Slim and brightly painted wooden legs are popular in Scandinavian design. With three legs you can create a side table with a modern character. You can often find unique items in second-hand shops or at flea markets. The table legs are then attached to the underside with screws.
Usage items
If you want to use tree slices in the kitchen and they come into contact with food, you should pay close attention to the origin of the wood. Only untreated wood that is impregnated with natural oils and does not splinter is suitable for cutting boards. Ceiling lamps or wall clocks can be created using grained wooden discs. For the clock you need a clockwork that is embedded in the tree disc. You can paint the numbers with acrylic paint or shape them with small branches.
How to build a designer lamp:
- Get a tree slice that is at least five centimeters thick
- Remove bark with chisel and hammer
- Cut out the heartwood with a jigsaw so that a frame remains
- Sand wood smooth
- Select lamp according to frame size
- Place the wooden frame upright and attach the frame to the lower frame
Ideas for Easter decorations
A tree disk with a diameter of 20 centimeters is suitable for creating an egg plate. Use a hole saw to cut several holes in the wood. These should be large enough to fit a medium-sized egg perfectly. Let your imagination run wild and decorate the plate with flowers, paintings or fabric butterflies.
A vase gets an individual character with small pieces of branches. You don't necessarily have to buy these. Find a straight branch from nature and cut it into small slices of uniform thickness. These are glued to the surface of the vase.
| Material | suitable for children | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden coasters | 10 cm slices, color | yes | easy |
| Easter Bunny | 3 discs (20, 10 and 5 cm), glue | yes | medium |
| chicks | 5 cm slices, colors (yellow, orange black) | yes | easy |
| Window decorations | dried flowers, glue | yes | easy |
Christmas
Tree slices are ideal for winter table decorations because of their naturalness. For Advent arrangements and Advent wreaths, you can use a large plate or several small discs and fill them with pillar candles or tea lights. To prevent stick candles from falling over, drill holes in the wood. The candles should be sunk about one centimeter deep. Fir branches, cones and various Christmas decorative items are ideal for individualizing. Homemade objects are ideal for giving as gifts. For example, you can saw a star out of a tree disc and add a message to it.
Christmas decorations on the tree disc:
- Cut out Christmas trees from fabric and glue them on
- print wintery black and white photos and transfer them with glue
- Make silhouettes out of nails and wrap them with yarn
✅ Sternenlampe aus einer Baumscheibe zum selber bauen - Super Geschenkidee -
Tree disc with photo
To get a photo on the tree disc, you need a printed image in color or black and white. A laser printer is better suited for printing because ink is water-soluble and can easily smudge during subsequent processing. There are various transfer agents available commercially, such as Photo Patch, Mod Podge or Photo Transfer Potch, which can be used to transfer colors to the wood.
How to do it:
- Coat photo and tree disc with transfer agent
- Place photo face down on the wood
- smooth with a sponge
- let it dry for about two hours
- Rab the paper carefully with a wet sponge
- Impregnate tree disc with transfer agent
Have a tree slice engraved
Various online shops offer tree discs in different sizes with individual engraving. Laser engraving machines are used to mark the wood. Such personalized objects are the ideal gift for birthdays or weddings. Wooden discs with the names of the bride and groom, which have a recess for the wedding rings, or tree discs with a heart are popular.
Care for tree slices in the garden
The well-groomed area around the base of a tree is also called a tree disc
The area around the base of the trunk is also known as the tree disk. If you want to keep this section clear, there are several methods available. You can either remove the growth regularly or design the tree disc individually. Newly planted trees in particular need a free tree window so that they can develop without restrictions. If the tree disk is surrounded by lawn, the wood will wither.
The tree disc needs attention because it determines the growth of the trees.
Creating tree slices on fruit trees
Fruit-bearing trees compete with the plants at the base of the trunk for water and nutrients, which can influence crop yield. To avoid this competition, you should place the tree disc correctly. This also makes lawn care easier and the trunk is not damaged by mechanical equipment.
How to create a tree slice:
- laying a circle of paving stones
- Put the spade into the ground along the outer edge
- Put the stones aside so that they are within easy reach
- Remove the turf as flat as possible above the tree disc
- Fill the edge with sand and place stones on it
- Fill the tree disc with bark mulch
Cover and mulch
On a bare and open tree slice, the ground can warm up more easily and the trees do not compete with other plants. However, this care measure requires regular chopping. You must be extremely careful when doing this so as not to damage the roots. An alternative to keeping it open is to cover the tree disc. This will prevent weeds and grasses from spreading at the base of the trunk.
| Advantage | Disadvantage | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| gravel | does not decompose | Algae growth possible | |
| Bark mulch | Nutrient release through decomposition | Fungal growth and stem rot possible | |
| Lavagrus | stores water | reaches a high weight | |
| Grid | stable and resilient surface | Industrial character, seems unnatural |
Cover tree slice with concrete
In many urban areas, the area around the trunk is covered with a concrete slab. To ensure ventilation and water supply, slots and openings are cut into the panel. Such covers are resilient and hard-wearing. They can carry vehicles and are weatherproof even in frost.
However, such measures do not contribute to beautifying the cityscape. They are integrated into the sealed urban area and allow the natural soil to disappear. These precautions do not protect against dog urine and the trees are still at risk of injury. Therefore, natural alternatives are to be preferred.
Planting tree slices
If you plant the tree disc, the tree will also benefit from regular care. The soil is loosened and aerated. The tree also relies on additional water and nutrients. Humus formation is promoted when the plants die and decompose in autumn. In addition, the microclimate improves significantly because the soil is less prone to drying out.
Benefits of Permaculture in Cities:
- Planting protects against misuse of the tree disc as a dog toilet
- Avoiding bark injuries from parked cars
- Bedging prevents storage of building materials
Planting tree stumps looks pretty and prevents animals from using them as toilets or other things
Allotment gardens with biodiversity
In urban areas, tree slices are increasingly being planted individually and used as allotment gardens. These small oases offer insects an ideal habitat. They can use native plants as a source of food and wintering quarters. Bats and birds are attracted to the abundance of insects. In addition, populations of beneficial insects such as ladybirds, hoverflies and predatory bugs are increasing. At the same time, the mini gardens enliven the cityscape and increase people's quality of life.
Suitable plants
When selecting plants, you should consider the requirements of the respective species, because not every plant can cope with the conditions at the base of the trunk. Bushy perennials such as cranesbill and swamp sheaf are suitable for wetter locations. The wintergreen species include the common hazelwort and the purple gourd. Such plants also provide accents in winter.
You should avoid this:
- Shrubs with piercing thorns
- invasive plants
- non-native species
Tip
To ensure road safety, you should prefer low types. The perennials must not grow higher than 70 centimeters.
Tree disc suitable as an insect hotel?
Tree slices are not ideal for insects
Nesting aids for insects in which wooden discs have been incorporated are often available in stores. You can save yourself this expense and create attractive insect hotels with simple alternatives. Such models are often unsuitable because they have more disadvantages than advantages.
Tip
Fill a wooden box with natural elements. Many tall plants that die in the fall leave hollow stems behind.
Unnatural habitat
Picturesque and large panes are highly susceptible to cracking because their drying process takes a long time. If holes are drilled into the cracked tree slices, the cracks will split further. Such nesting aids do not resemble natural models, because in nature tree sections are rarely exposed after a wind break. Naturally formed tunnels caused by beetle damage run more or less at right angles to the wood fibers. In addition, drill holes are often unclean, resulting in cross-cutting fibers. Such passages are rarely populated by insects.
Water pipe
Water pipes are cut through holes in the tree disc. In damp weather, the wood swells and water can spread into the pipes. This further supports the process of crack formation. In this environment, parasites and fungi find an optimal breeding ground, which pose a danger to the insects living there.
Frequently asked questions
Are there common sizes for tree discs?
Most tree discs on the market are between ten and 30 cm tall. In specialist shops you can find plates with a diameter of 50 to 60 cm. If you need larger wooden discs of 80 cm or more, you should ask a forester. A good source of material is logging in the community. Ask there if you can take pieces of wood with you. If necessary, you may have to saw the panes to size yourself at home.
How should I treat a tree slice?
You can leave the panels natural or treat them with a wood protector to make them more durable. If you treat the wood with oil, it should be well dried beforehand. Otherwise the moisture can no longer escape and the wood begins to rot. When it dries, cracks usually appear, which can then be filled with special resin. A final polish cares for the material and maintains the protective layer.
How can I optimally dry a tree slice?
Wood dries on the outside first and shrinks into itself. Because the heartwood is still moist, cracks form. It is therefore important that you ensure even and slow drying. The moisture must slowly escape from the inside. Meanwhile, the outer area must not dry too quickly. Placing the tree disc in sawdust has proven to be a suitable measure. Here the moisture is distributed evenly.
What colors can I use to paint a tree slice?
High-quality acrylic paints are ideal for painting and designing wooden discs. In order for the color to last, the wood should be impregnated and primed beforehand. A layer of acrylic varnish protects the colors from abrasion. This way you can create a work of art for yourself that is waterproof and lightfast. It is even suitable for outdoor use.
Does the tree disk need special care?
The area around the trunk should be cared for all year round so that the growth of the tree is not negatively affected. Young trees in particular can be weakened if grasses or unwanted plants grow up to the trunk. Regular weeding prevents the emergence of competing plants and counteracts soil compaction.
However, the roots can easily be damaged during these measures. Therefore, ensure that the tree disc is covered with bark mulch or gravel. You can also plant them naturally. In such a small biotope, a natural microclimate is established and maintenance is significantly reduced.
Which plants are suitable for the tree disk?
If you want to plant a tree slice, you should find out about the location requirements of the species. Plants that can grow in shady conditions and have no problems with competition from trees are suitable for this area. If the selected area is on a roadside, you must consider traffic safety. The plants should not grow higher than 70 centimeters so that visibility is not impaired.
