Sometimes we all need to ward off evil spirits

   I have always always loved tales that involved cottages found off the beaten path - either in a deep dark forest or on the end of a long dirt path at the edge of a forgotten meadow.  The kind of cottages that contain gnarled old women who offer advice of the most unusual sort and are surrounded by wild and useful old gardens and oftentimes a tree (just as gnarled as the dweller) clanking with bottles and charms meant to ward off evil spirits.

 

   I thought if I had my own bottle tree, it would be tucked into some corner of my lawn, and while no one would probably come seeking advice from my house, at least I would have such an interesting (and protective!) tree.  One month ago I bought a house with absolutely no trees on the entire lot.  On a tree-lined street no less!

  While I am stymied at the moment in my desire for a witch tree of my very own, I still had to share my adoration of their beautiful oddness.  I must say I prefer those that involve actual trees over the ones made out of iron rods, but they are all charming in their way.  Plus, it gives you a reason to re-use pretty bottles instead of tossing them all in your recycle bin.  (And some of us go through many, many wine bottles).

So if you have a witch tree/ bottle tree of your very own, take a moment to share some pictures with those not-so-fortunate... pretty please.

Photo Credits: Ken Rockwell, lifeonflower, and Taggart

 

Comments

[Krystal Bell]

What beautiful photos! I haven't thought of doing a project like this. Great idea!

[Sarah Jane]

Clair--Can you please tell me how one would go around making one of these trees? They would be a fun summer project for the kids! Thank you!!!

[Claire]

The best (and prettiest in my opinion) to make these bottle trees is to wrap wire around the stem and simply hang them from the branches. You may want to put some distance between the bottles to prevent them clanking together and breaking. Here's a good example:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42465804@N00/186248170/

Now for the ones made of rebar, you'd need a welder in the family or just purchase one online. This fellow has pretty varied designs (but I've never purchased one before:

http://www.bottletreebob.com/

I've also seen the trees made out of regular posts with 3/8" PVC pipe nailed into it. I think they look more like bottle cacti.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pattietierney/2083487718/

This person acheived the same effect with a recycled Xmas tree:

http://www.deepfriedkudzu.com/2006/01/making-our-bottle-tree.html

I think the most fun of doing one of these trees would be many many garage sale days looking for colorful bottles.

Best of luck!