Easy homemade wooden dowel Christmas tree that will make any room look amazing. Made with few supplies and sharing a dowel Christmas tree pattern that is simple to make.

This wooden dowel Christmas tree has that minimalist look I adore with a Scandinavian vibe. It has hygge written all over it!

For many years I have wanted a Christmas tree in my kitchen all decorated with kitchen themed ornaments. Well, this year, I finally found the perfect tree that wouldn't take up much space and doesn't need water.

This wooden tree last Christmas season was pinned over 1K times. It looks like I am not the only one who wants a wooden dowel tree.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission if you purchase using the links below at no extra cost to you. All opinions are all my own.

I love that hygge feeling! If you like that cozy vibe of hygge then you might love this hygge Thanksgiving table or these minimalist Christmas decorations.

But let's talk about a dowel Christmas tree DIY and jump right in on how to make a wooden Christmas tree.

Update: Recently, several people have shared that their wooden Christmas tree wobbles at the top or leans. This tree is three feet tall and is held up with a narrow metal rod. Because of its height, it sways at the top. Here are several suggestions by people who have made the tree to make it stand straight.

• Use a set of lightweight ornaments and distribute them equally on each dowel to even out the weight.
• Change the thinner size rod that is listed in this post to a thicker size rod (make sure your wooden balls fit over the rod if you do this)
• If the tree still has a slight lean, turn it to the side where it appears straight.
• Make the tree shorter, for example, 24.”

How to Make a Wooden Dowel Christmas Tree

Like with most projects, it is always good to gather all your supplies. Here is a list of what you will need.

• Circular saw
• miter saw
• nail gun
• drill and drill bits 1/4″ and 1/8″
• clamps
• tape measure
• wood glue
• pencil
• ruler
• sanding block
• 1 threaded metal rod  1/4″ x 36″ long
• 23 wood balls with hole all the way through 1″ x 3/8″ hole
• 5 wooden dowels 5/8″
• 1 wood dowel cap 1″ x 1/4″ hole (you can also use one of the other wooden balls if you don't want to buy a whole bag of these dowel caps)
• 2 hex nuts 1/4″
• 1/2″ plywood for the base (I used some leftover wood but this one linked is round. You will need to search for three different sizes)
• 14 small gingerbread-style ornaments I found my ornaments in the dollar section at Target. They are actually wooden kitchen toys for kids. I used a glue gun and glued some twine to the top.) (I have linked some other cute gingerbread ornaments.)
• 18 mini ball ornaments
• white 1″ grosgrain ribbon,
• pink and white twine for ornaments

Now that you have all your supplies let's start working through the dowel Christmas tree pattern.

Dowel Christmas Tree Pattern

Let's get started with the details on how to make a three-foot dowel Christmas tree but feel free to take this pattern and make it shorter. Simply remove layers to the bottom with those dowels.

Start with the Base

Measure and cut three pieces of plywood to make the base (3 1/2″ x 6″, 5″ x 9″, 8 1/2″ x 12 1/2″)

Sand the edges.

Glue the middle board to the bottom board, placing the middle board in the center and then nail the two boards.

Glue the top board to the middle board, placing the top board in the center and then nail the top board to the centerboard.

Mark the center of the top board and then drill a 1/4″ hole all the way through the three boards. (If you use a thicker rod make sure to make this whole larger so the rod fits.)

Turn the base over and drill down over the hole with a 1/2″ drill bit or larger to make a hole for the hex nut to sit up inside the base.

Build the Center and Branches

Thread the metal rod through the base and screw on the hex nut then pull it up into the hole flush.

Measure and cut the dowels to the specifications (4 dowels at 20″, 4 dowels at 16″, 4 dowels at 12″, 4 dowels at 8″ and 3 dowels at 4″)

Sand the ends of the dowels.

Mark the center of each dowel.

Clamp a dowel to a table (preferably one that you don't mind drilling into) and drill straight down over the center mark with a 1/8″ drill bit and then again with a 1/4″ drill bit.

Repeat the drilling process for each dowel. Sand where you drill the holes.

Time to put together the tree. Drop five wooden balls down the metal rod.

Assemble the DIY Wooden Christmas Tree

Drop five balls down on the metal rod. Then drop the four 20″ dowels down the metal rod.

Drop five wooden balls down the metal rod.

Drop the four 16″ dowels down the metal rod.

Drop five wooden balls down the metal rod. 

Drop the four 12″ dowels down the metal rod.

Drop four wooden balls down the metal rod.

Drop the four 8″ dowels down the metal rod.

Drop four wooden balls down the metal rod.

Drop the three 4″ dowels down the metal rod.

Secure tree with another hex nut.

Tie a long droopy bow on the top of the tree, leaving room for a dowel cap.

Place a wooden dowel cap on the top.

Now your wooden dowel Christmas tree is ready for ornaments.

Decorate the Dowel Christmas Tree

Add gingerbread ornaments on every other dowel starting with the bottom row and moving your way up. (use a thin twine to hang the ornaments)

Add mini ball ornaments on all other dowels. (use a thin twine to hang the ornaments)

And now you are finished and ready for the fun part. Deciding on where you will display your wood dowel Christmas tree.

Conclusion

My dowel tree is sitting on a table next to the rocking chairs in my kitchen sitting area. I love how it is not heavy looking and has a cooking vibe with the little gingerbread ornaments.

And it fits in nicely with my other kitchen items like this antique breadboard. If you have never heard of a breadboard learn more at my post on what is a bread board and ways to decorate with them.

I also adore how the dowel Christmas tree blended nicely with last year's Ball mason jar wall hanging. There are directions on how to make this piece at the macrame Christmas decor with mason jars post.

Last, you can add any color bow and ornaments. If you decide to place your tree in a bathroom you could decorate it with beauty supply ornaments. Or if it is in a child's room, you could adorn it with miniature toy ornaments.

This Christmas dowel tree is also perfect for dorm rooms and apartments. Once the holidays are over you can take it apart and pack it in a long narrow box.

What room would you like a wooden dowel Christmas tree?

Happy Decorating!

Happy Decorating!

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