Need Winter color? Make a Bottle Tree!

Tina at In the Garden, http://tinaramsey.blogspot.com/ , left a comment telling me about photos of bottle trees at Felder Rushing's website www.felderrushing.net . I was so inspired that I got right to work. Someone's Christmas tree had mysteriously made it into my backyard from the curb earlier this month. It was likely the work of my 13-year-old and his friends. I think they planned to use it for firewood. Since it is super dry here, and there is a burn ban in effect, I thought I might use it for a bottle tree, instead. After seeing all the wonderful bottle trees on Felder Rushing's site, I couldn't wait! I started trimming the branches!

It didn't take long, and it was a pleasantly scented job! The worst thing to happen was getting some sap on my hands. The sticky is gone, but I continue to smell of Christmas tree as I type. Not a bad thing!

All done. Now to test fit some of my empty bottles. I did decide that I like them without the labels. So, back into the kitchen to scrape them off with a razor blade. Citrus spray took care of any sticky residue. Next came a bath in soapy water to remove the oily residue! For now, it is held up against the Purple Martin house pole with plastic tie wraps. This will be OK until it is time to put up the birdhouse in February. Then I will have to decide on a base! I thought I had more bottles saved! I guess this will be a good excuse to drink more wine!

Ya'll Come Back!

Lorilee