Tree slices have a rustic character. They bring a touch of down-to-earthness and a natural atmosphere to the home, which is why the wood structure is a popular pattern for seat cushions or carpets. Tree slices are ideal natural materials for handicrafts and for building furniture.

Tree slices can be used as a stylish piece of furniture or as a commodity

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Pieces of furniture made from tree slices
  3. Buying Tips
  4. work wood
  5. DIY
  6. maintain tree grates
  7. Plant tree discs
  8. Tree disc as an insect hotel?
  9. frequently asked Questions

    10. the essentials in brief

    • Many things can be made from a tree disc: e.g. serving platters, furniture or steps for the garden.
    • Before processing, the wood should be dried and sealed.
    • Tree grates in the garden are the area around a tree trunk; this can be beautifully planted with ground cover, for example.

    Decorative pieces of furniture made from tree slices

    Among other things, the lower area of the tree trunk is referred to as a tree disc. In some cases, tree discs are also sawn off from branch ends. They are decorative elements and serve as utility items and pieces of furniture. The pieces of wood can have a diameter between two and 100 centimeters. Conventional tree discs from the hardware store are 30 to 40 centimeters wide. Slices cut crosswise or lengthwise from oak, acacia, birch or apple trees are particularly popular. Pine and beech provide cheap wooden discs.

    Possible uses of tree discs:

    • platter: for cheese and fruit
    • tabletop: side table, coffee table, vanity table or dining table
    • Furniture: seat for stool, space for shelf
    • pillow: as a ring pillow for wedding rings
    • garden: as stepping stones

    digression

    Teak discs

    The teak tree is extremely valuable because of its wood. The knot-free logs are ideal for processing because they do not crack when drying. The surface remains attractive for a long time thanks to the natural oils. These also make the wood resistant to weather influences. Teak is extremely durable. The heartwood has fungicidal and insecticidal properties. Because of the color of the wood and the peculiar growth form, teak tree grates are preferably used for wooden tables. These are protected with glass.

    What you should consider when buying

    Small tree slices can be used, for example, for Christmas handicrafts

    Tree discs are not only available in hardware stores such as Bauhaus, Obi or Hornbach, but also in decoration shops. At Depot or Nanu Nana you will mainly find smaller models that are suitable for handicrafts, decoration and design. If you need an individual tree disc for a larger project, you can also ask the forester. If a tree is felled in the neighborhood, this is a good opportunity to collect material.

    furnishing style

    The type of wood you choose depends on the style of your home and individual preferences. The thicker the tree disc, the more massive the element appears. Thin tree slices ensure a filigree and subtle look. Every type of wood warps to a different extent during drying. The hardness of the wood also plays an important role in your selection. Pine is a softer wood that is easier to work with than oak, birch or beech. These tree discs are more suitable for building tables.

    processing type

    Tree slices are often cut with a chainsaw. However, this does not result in a smooth surface. The bumps can be between a few millimeters and several centimeters. Such tree discs are not suitable as table tops. They must be milled flat with a router or a thickness planer. Clean and straight cuts are created when the tree disc has been cut with a log band saw.

    wood moisture

    The moisture content of the wood plays a major role. If the wood is too damp, undesirable cracking or mold growth can occur during later drying. For outdoor use, the degree of humidity does not matter, as it can dry out due to drafts. If you have options for drying the logs, you don't have to base your purchasing decision on the moisture content of the wood.

    How to check the wood moisture:

    • feel with your hand
    • Cracks indicate dried tree slices
    • Damp wood is usually darker in color
    • a wood moisture meter provides reliable information

    storage

    Take a look at how the tree slices are stored. Simple wooden strips are often placed between the panes so that they can dry better. However, such stacking strips leave marks in the wood and are therefore not suitable for storage. Beech wood is particularly vulnerable. Again and again you can find such unsightly storage marks on other types of wood. If tree slices are stacked on aluminum strips, there is no risk of imprints or discoloration.

    work wood

    Tree discs should first be dried and oiled

    Before you use the material, you should dry and oil the wood. This makes the tree disc more resistant and lasts longer. You can also leave the wood untreated to create a natural character.

    Dry without cracks

    In order to dry wood properly, moisture must be released evenly. Wood dries from the outside in. The outer layer shrinks before the heartwood has had a chance to shed water. It is therefore not easy to dry the wood without cracks. Using sawdust or hay will promote an even drying process and reduce cracking. Fill a mortar tub with absorbent material and place the tree disc in it. You need to ventilate the blanks daily. If mold or mold stains form, only brief air drying will help.

    fill cracks

    Filling the drying cracks is recommended if you intend to use the slab as a table. Epoxy resin is ideal as a gap filler because it bonds with the wood and does not tear open later. The resin can then be colored and adjusted to individual taste. Once you have filled in the cracks, you should sand the tree disc smooth with a 400 grit. A grain size of 150 is sufficient for natural tree discs.

    Grinding or planing?

    If you want to sand the tree disc smooth, you'll need to work your way from coarse to fine sandpaper. In this machining process, the surface is first roughened with a grit between 100 and 120. The wood is then coated with a damp sponge and finished with fine 180 to 200 grit sandpaper. A smooth surface appears. However, this looks rather dull. When you plane the wood, the surface becomes really smooth and has a subtle sheen. However, planing requires some practice.

    To seal

    To seal the wood you can oil it. Make sure that the oils do not pose any danger to health or the environment. Natural substances are applied to the tree disc until the wood is saturated and no longer absorbs oil. After drying, a smooth surface is created that repels dirt and no longer lets water through. This impregnation makes it easier to clean the objects later.

    Suitable oils for impregnation:

    • coconut oil
    • beeswax
    • linseed oil

    polishing

    Regular polishing of the tree disc ensures longer durability, because the protective layer is renewed. A good quality olive oil is ideal for polishing. Put a few drops of oil on a lint-free cloth and rub the wood evenly. After a few hours of drying time, you can wipe off any residue. Alternatives to olive oil are mixtures of linseed or bamboo oil with a dash of lemon juice. A gentle alternative for the care of oak wood is light beer, which you can warm up slightly before use.

    DIY: furniture and decorative elements

    Tree discs are ideal for handicrafts. Natural materials create a unique atmosphere. Round, oval or elongated tree discs can be processed with or without bark. Your annual rings make each piece unique, which can be additionally personalized with an engraving.

    Build a table out of a tree disc

    Tables made from tree slices are a beautiful, modern piece of furniture

    A living room table looks all the more interesting the higher the contrast between the tree pane and the legs. Copper table legs or brushed steel supports give the object an industrial touch. Slender and lightly lacquered wooden legs are popular in Scandinavian design. With three legs you create a side table with a modern character. You can often find unique pieces in second-hand shops or at flea markets. The table legs are then attached to the underside with screws.

    commodities

    If you want to use tree discs in the kitchen and they come into contact with food, you should pay close attention to the origin of the wood. Only untreated wood that is impregnated with natural oils and does not splinter is suitable for cutting boards. Ceiling lamps or wall clocks can be created with grained wooden discs. For the clock you need a clockwork, which is embedded in the tree disc. You can paint the numbers with acrylic paint or shape them with small branches.

    How to build a designer lamp:

    1. Obtain a tree disc that is at least five centimeters thick
    2. Remove bark with chisel and hammer
    3. Saw out the heartwood with a jigsaw (€36.18) so that a frame remains
    4. Sand the wood smooth
    5. Select lamp according to frame size
    6. Stand the wooden frame upright and fasten the socket in the lower frame

    Easter decoration ideas

    A tree disc with a diameter of 20 centimeters is suitable for designing an egg plate. Using a hole saw, cut several holes in the wood. These should be large enough to fit a medium-sized egg perfectly. Let your imagination run wild and decorate the tabletop with fabric flowers, paintings or butterflies.

    A vase gets an individual character with small pieces of branch. You don't necessarily have to buy these. Find a straight branch from nature and cut it into small slices of uniform thickness. These are glued to the surface of the vase.

    material suitable for children difficulty
    wooden coaster 10 cm discs, color Yes easy
    Easter Bunny 3 discs (20, 10 and 5 cm), glue Yes medium
    chick 5 cm discs, colors (yellow, orange black) Yes easy
    window decoration dried flowers, glue Yes easy

    Christmas

    Because of their naturalness, tree slices are ideal for winter table decorations. For Advent arrangements and Advent wreaths, you can use a large plate or several small discs and fill them with pillar candles or tea lights. Drill holes in the wood to prevent stick candles from falling over. The candles should be sunken about an inch deep. Fir branches, cones and various Christmas decorations are ideal for customizing. Homemade objects are ideal as gifts. For example, you can saw a star out of a tree disc and add a message to it.

    Christmas decoration on the tree disc:

    • Cut out Christmas trees from fabric and glue them on
    • Print out wintry black and white photos and transfer them with glue
    • Make silhouettes out of nails and wrap them with yarn
    youtube

    Provide tree disc with photo

    In order to get a photo on the tree disc, you need a printed image in color or black and white. A laser printer is better suited for the print because the ink is water-soluble and can easily smudge during subsequent processing. There are various transfer media such as Photo Patch, Mod Podge or Photo Transfer Potch on the market with which colors can be transferred to the wood.

    How to do it:

    1. Coat photo and tree disc with transfer medium
    2. Place the photo face down on the wood
    3. smooth out with a sponge
    4. let it dry for about two hours
    5. Rub the paper gently with a wet sponge
    6. Impregnate the tree disc with transfer agent

    Have a tree slice engraved

    Various online shops offer tree discs in different sizes with individual engraving. Laser engraving devices are used to write on the wood. Such personalized objects are the ideal gift for birthdays or weddings. Wooden discs with the names of the bride and groom, which have a recess for the wedding rings, or tree discs with a heart are popular.

    Maintain tree grates in the garden

    The manicured area around the base of a tree is also called a tree disc

    The area around the base of the trunk is also referred to as a tree disc. If you want to keep this section clear, there are several methods you can use. You can either remove the growth regularly or design the tree disc individually. Above all, newly planted trees need a clear tree pit so that they can develop without restrictions. If the tree disc is surrounded by grass, the wood will wither.

    The tree disc needs attention because it determines the growth of the trees.

    Install tree discs on fruit trees

    Fruiting trees compete with plants at the base of the stem for water and nutrients, which can affect crop yield. To avoid this competition, you should put on the tree disc correctly. This also makes lawn care easier and the trunk is not damaged by mechanical equipment.

    How to create a tree disc:

    • lay a circle of cobblestones
    • Poke a spade into the ground along the outer edge
    • Set stones aside within easy reach
    • Remove the turf as flat as possible above the tree disc
    • Fill the edge with sand and place stones on it
    • Fill the tree disc with bark mulch

    Cover and mulch

    The soil can warm up more easily on an unvegetated and open tree pit and the trees and shrubs do not compete with other plants. However, this maintenance measure requires regular hacking. You have to be extremely careful not to damage the roots. An alternative to keeping it open is to cover the tree grate. This will prevent weeds and grasses from spreading at the base of the trunk.

    advantage disadvantage
    gravel does not decompose Algae growth possible
    bark mulch Nutrient release through decomposition Fungal growth and trunk rot possible
    lava grit saves water reaches a high weight
    grating stable and resilient surface Industrial character, looks unnatural

    Cover tree disc with concrete

    In many urban areas, the area around the trunk is covered with a concrete slab. To ensure ventilation and water supply, slots and openings are cut in the panel. Such covers are resilient and durable. They can carry vehicles and are weatherproof even in frost.

    However, such measures do not contribute to the beautification of the cityscape. They are integrated into the sealed urban area and allow the natural soil to disappear. Even these precautions do not protect against dog urine and the trees are still at risk of injury. Therefore, natural alternatives are to be preferred.

    Plant tree discs

    If you plant the tree disc, the wood also benefits from regular care. The soil is loosened and aerated. In addition, the wood feeds on additional water and nutrients. The formation of humus is promoted when the plants die and are decomposed in autumn. In addition, the microclimate improves significantly because the soil is less prone to drying out.

    Benefits of permaculture in cities:

    • Planting protects against misuse of the tree disc as a dog toilet
    • Avoiding bark injuries from parked cars
    • Enclosures prevent storage of building materials

    Planting tree stumps looks pretty and prevents animals from using it as a loo or anything else

    Allotment gardens with biodiversity

    In urban areas, tree pits are increasingly being individually planted and used as allotment gardens. These small oases offer insects an ideal habitat. They can use native plants as a source of food and winter quarters. Bats and birds are attracted to the abundance of insects. Also, populations of beneficial insects such as ladybugs, hoverflies and assassin bugs are increasing. At the same time, the mini-gardens enliven the cityscape and improve people's quality of life.

    Suitable plants

    When choosing plants, you should consider the requirements of the respective species, because not every plant can cope with the conditions at the base of the stem. Bushy perennials such as cranesbill and marsh sheaf are suitable for moist locations. The wintergreen species include the common hazel or the purple bugle. Such plants also provide accents in winter.

    You should avoid:

    • Shrubs with prickly thorns
    • invasive growths
    • non-native species

    tips

    To ensure traffic safety, you should give preference to low species. The perennials must not grow higher than 70 centimeters.

    Tree disc suitable as an insect hotel?

    Tree discs are not ideal for insects

    Nesting aids for insects into which wooden discs have been incorporated are often offered commercially. You can save yourself this expense and make attractive insect hotels with simple alternatives. Such models are often unsuitable because they have more disadvantages than advantages.

    tips

    Fill a wooden box with natural elements. Many tall plants that die off in the fall leave hollow stems.

    unnatural habitat

    Picturesque and large panes are badly affected by cracking because their drying process takes a very long time. If holes are drilled into the cracked tree discs, the cracks split further. Such nesting aids do not resemble the natural models, because in nature tree grates are rarely exposed after a wind break. Naturally formed burrows from beetle feeding run more or less at right angles to the wood fibers. In addition, drill holes are often unclean, resulting in transverse fibers. Such corridors are rarely populated by insects.

    water pipe

    Water pipelines are cut through holes in the tree disc. In damp weather, the wood swells and water can spread in the cable tracks. This additionally supports the process of crack formation. In this environment, parasites and fungi find an optimal breeding ground, which pose a threat to the insects living in them.

    frequently asked Questions

    Are there common sizes for tree discs?

    Most tree discs on the market are between 10 and 30 cm tall. You can find plates with a diameter of 50 to 60 cm in specialist shops. If you need larger wooden discs of 80 cm and more, you should ask a forester. A good source of material is logging in the community. Ask there if you can take pieces of wood with you. You may have to cut the panes yourself at home.

    How do I have to treat a tree disc?

    You can leave the panels natural or treat them with a wood preservative to make them more durable. If you treat the wood with oil, it should be well dried beforehand. Otherwise the moisture can no longer escape and the wood will begin to rot. During drying, cracks usually appear, which can then be filled with special resin. A final polish cares for the material and preserves the protective layer.

    How can I optimally dry a tree disc?

    Wood dries on the outside first and shrinks in on itself. Since the heartwood is still damp, cracks form. It is therefore important that you ensure even and slow drying. The moisture must slowly escape from the inside. Meanwhile, the outer area must not dry too quickly. Placing the tree disc in sawdust has proven to be a suitable measure. Here the moisture is distributed evenly.

    What colors can I paint a tree disc with?

    High-quality acrylic paints are ideal for painting and designing wooden discs. In order for the color to last, the wood should be impregnated and primed beforehand. A layer of acrylic paint protects the colors from abrasion. This way you can create a work of art yourself that is waterproof and fade-resistant. It is even suitable for outdoor use.

    Does the tree disc require special care?

    The area around the trunk should be cared for all year round so that the growth of the tree is not adversely affected. Young trees in particular can be weakened if grass or unwanted plants grow up to the trunk. Regular weeding prevents the emergence of competing plants and counteracts soil compaction.

    However, these measures can easily damage the roots. Therefore, ensure that the tree grate is covered with bark mulch or gravel. You can also plant them naturally. In such a small biotope, a natural microclimate sets in and maintenance is significantly reduced.

    Which planting is suitable for the tree disc?

    If you want to plant a tree disc, you should find out about the location requirements of the species. Plants that can grow in shady conditions and do not have problems with competition from shrubs are suitable for this area. If the selected area is on a roadside, you need to consider road safety. The plants should not grow higher than 70 centimeters so that the view is not impaired.

Category:

Trees