How to Make a Modern Giving Tree

Taking my round Pine Edge board, I took my Top Side and drilled a ¼” hole in the center. Then I flipped the base and used my Forstner bit at the underside to create a secondary void around the cored hole. This allowed for my Tee Nut to comfortably sit in and attach to the hanger bolt that came preinstalled in the wood Parson leg.

Next, on the opposing side of the Parson Leg I marked an “X” to properly determine the center. I predrilled a ¼” hole to allow for my added hanger bolt to fit inside the Parson Leg. Then I fastened the Parson Leg to the base using the preinstalled hanger bolt and tee nuts.

*Note: To install the new hanger bolt you may need to use a nut and hand tighten with a wrench to sink the hanger bolt into the Parson Leg.

Now the base of the tree is complete.

Taking my 24”x48” Wood Panel Board, I then cut out a 24”x24” square to act as my first “platform” of the tree. I cut all additional platforms at this time; one at 18”x18” and another at 12”x12”. I used a table saw but you could also use a circular saw with a straightedge.

Taking my remaining 24”x48” wood panels, I cut strips of 12”x48”. These pieces ultimately acted as the vertical “walls” of my tree. I took my strips of wood and laid them diagonally against my platform to determine the overall length of my “wall”.

Using my miter saw, I cut the pieces to the appropriate length. I drew an “X” from corner to corner to find the center. Then using a straight edge, I marked my center horizontally from left to right. Next, I measured the thickness of my board offsetting half the dimension on either side. Using my miter saw, jigsaw and chisel, I removed the center void of my wall. Repeat for each level of the tree.

This created a solid connection that crisscrossed and interlocked at the center and allowed the platforms to become stable when stacking.

Next, I secured the interlocked “walls” to our platform. Again, I drew an “X” from corner to corner as a guide for my walls. Then I measured 3” off each corner of my platform along the newly drawn “X” and using a ¼” Forstner bit I drilled holes halfway deep through the wood platform to allow for my wood dowels to securely sit in.

Taking the base of my wall, I laid it on its side diagonally against my platform along my drawn “X”. I positioned and marked the outside of each dowel on the bottom of the wall to find the exact location of where to core my holes. Core the holes with a ¼” Forstner bit and secure the walls to the platform.