The bottle tree is a type of sculpture made of recycled glass/glass material that is familiar to gardeners. This creation originated in Egypt, where bottles were used to capture spirits (evil spirits were believed to be roaming around). African slaves also maintained a bottle tree near their homes to capture spirits with brightly colored glass bottles. To make your own bottle tree, you need to collect bottles and build a “tree” out of wood or steel.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Collecting Bottles
Step 1. Start collecting bottles for your bottle tree
A medium sized liqueur or wine bottle of approx. 750 ml is best. Buying enough bottles to decorate a bottle tree can be very expensive. So, try to reuse as many bottles as possible. You can even make a movement to recycle used glass bottles.
Step 2. Choose a bottle especially the blue one
In fairy tales related to the bottle tree, blue is the best color to deter spirits. Skyy brand vodka (Russian liquor) bottles, which are blue in color, can be combined with almost any bottle of any color to create a bottle tree of many colors.
Step 3. Remove the bottle label
Unless you want to advertise your favorite drink, you can remove the label by soaking it in a mixture of water and vinegar. Remove hard-to-remove labels with a special cleaner for stubborn stains (example: Goo Gone), or a similar citrus-based cleaner. The part of the bottle where the label is attached may become sticky, so you'll need to clean it thoroughly until the glue is completely clean.
Part 2 of 3: Creating a Bottle Tree
Step 1. Look for dead or dying trees in your neighborhood
According to custom, bottles are attached to dead tree branches; however, your landscape will be defined if that can be done, or if necessary make a metal tree frame.
Step 2. Buy a bottle tree frame if you don't have time to make one
A garden bottle tree that holds between 10 and 30 bottles is sold on online stores Amazon and eBay for IDR 260,000, 00 to IDR 1,300,000, 00 (at an exchange rate of US$1 = IDR 13,000, 00).
Step 3. Consider purchasing a bottle tree frame from a local metal artist
If you want a sculpture with bold expression, consider investing in a detailed/perfect design. If you don't want to spend up to IDR 6,500,000,00 (at an exchange rate of US$1 = IDR 13,000, 00), choose to make your own.
Step 4. Make a bottle tree from a square or round fence post
Dig a hole in your yard and pour the concrete mix on the bottom. Insert the post into it and allow it to dry until the concrete dries.
- Make several holes spread around the sides of the tree. Use a drill with a downward angle, making sure you extend each hole at least 7.5 cm deep.
- Insert metal rods with lengths of 15, 24 cm to 30, 48 cm and 0.2 to 0.5 meters.
- You can buy metal rods that act as reinforcement at a hardware store or home improvement store.
- Make sure each metal bar is secure before moving on to the next step.
Step 5. Make a bottle tree from reinforcing steel (rebar)
Recently, reinforcing steel trees have become a very popular choice because they are durable in all climatic conditions. Purchase 10 to 20 pieces of reinforcing steel from the store. It is recommended that the reinforcing steel is between 1 and 1.3 cm in diameter. They can vary in length to mimic actual tree branches.
- Buy a metal bracelet that can wrap around the bars of the reinforcing bars you made to hold the bars together.
- Rent a conduit bender if you need to bend the reinforcing steel dramatically.
- Drive the reinforcing steel into the selected holes. Hit the reinforcing steel with a hammer until it goes into the ground.
- Join the reinforcing bars if you wish. Check that the tree is solid before you start decorating it.
Part 3 of 3: Decorating the Bottle Tree
Step 1. Insert the bottle into the “branches” of the bottle tree
The tip of the tree branch should meet the bottom of the bottle to avoid twisting the bottle by the wind.
Step 2. Decorate evenly
Add one bottle on each side to balance the weight of the existing bottles.
Step 3. Reinforce the base if the tree appears to be starting to wobble
You may need to cement the tree inward if the soil is not completely compacted.
Step 4. Add new bottles to your bottle tree from time to time
You can also try planting vines in the center of the tree.
If you want to make a cobalt blue bottle tree, but you don't have enough of that color, it's easier to start by looking for a green or brown bottle. Next, collect and replace the bottles throughout the year
Step 5. Modify your bottle tree
While bottle trees of steel and reinforcing steel are common, there is a good variety in appearance and size. Hang some glasses or other ornaments if you wish.
