Making Balsam Fir Wreaths

Balsam fir wreaths consist of tips, a metal ring and wire. A wreath is assembled by attaching bunches of tips to a ring. These bunches are held to the ring with the wire. The following instructions are for making double-faced wreaths (wreaths with tip bunches attached to both sides). Single-faced wreaths are made the same way as double-faced wreaths, except tip bunches are attached only on one side. Wreath making methods may vary slightly, depending on the wreath producer.

Material Needed

Wreath making material can be purchased from florists, garden centers and some wreath producers. To make wreaths, you will need:

Rings—Common wreath rings have 8, 10, 12, 14 or 16-inch diameters. The ring's size determines the size of the wreath's diameter.

Ring Diameter (inches)	Wreath's Approximate Outer Diameter (inches)
8	12–14
10	17–19
12	20–24
14	25–27
16	31–33

Wire—Wire should be 22 to 24 gauge.

Clippers—Clippers are needed to cut the wire. They also may be used to cut the tips.

Gloves—Gloves may be worn to protect the hands.

Balsam Fir Tips—A tip is the part of a fir branch that is used in wreaths. The amount of tips required for a wreath depends on the size of the wreath. The approximate amount of tips required for each wreath is given below. (For more information on tips and tip gathering, refer to Christmas Wreath Notes #1, "Balsam Fir Tip Gathering.")

Ring Diameter (inches)	Average Amount of Tips Needed (in pounds)
8	1.5–2.0
10	2.5–3.0
12	3.5–4.0
14	4.5–5.0
16	5.5–6.0

Making a Tip Bunch

The wreath maker begins assembling a wreath by making a tip bunch. The tip bunch is then wired onto the ring.

A wreath maker usually receives a fir branch that's 12 to 20 inches long. This branch may be broken into two to three places, if required. These tips are placed together to form a tip bunch. A tip's average length depends on the size of the wreath to be made. The length also varies with the particular wreath maker. It's important for the tips to be the same length for each wreath. This will improve the wreath's appearance since the tip bunches will flow evenly around the wreath. (See Figures 1, 2 and 3.)

Wreath Ring Size (inches)	Tip Length (inches)
8	5–6
10	6–9
12	9–12
14	12–14
16	14–16

Attaching Tip Bunches to the Ring

Wire is used to secure a tip bunch to the ring. The wire is tightly wound two or three times around the bunch and the ring (beginning about 1/3 to 1/2 the distance from stem end).

Steps for Making a Wreath

Wind wire several times around the ring's weld. This helps prevent the ring from coming apart when the wire is pulled (See Figure 4.)
Place the first tip bunch on the ring. This bunch should be slightly longer that the other bunches. The extra length helps cover from view the wire that's used to attach the last bunch. The tip bunch's needles should face upward (the darker side up). See Figure 5.
Wind wire two to three times around the ring and tip bunch. (See Figure 6.) The wire is wound tightly around the bunch, 1/3 to 1/2 the bunch's distance from the stem end.
Turn the wreath over. The wreath maker must be careful not to unwind the wire when turning over the wreath.
Place a tip bunch on the first bunch. The second bunch is set a couple of inches down from the first bunch. The spacing between each tip bunch varies among wreath makers. Generally, the longer the tip branches, the wider the spacing will be. Needles of the second bunch should face upward (face the opposite direction of the first bunch. The second bunch's stems should point in the same direction as the first bunch. (See Figure 7.)
Attach the second bunch and turn the wreath over. The wire should be wound close to the second bunch's center (the same location for all tip bunches), and around the first tip bunch (near its stems). All the tip bunches will be wired at these two places. This secures the tip bunches to the ring. (See Figure 8.)
Attach the third bunch. The third bunch is attached a couple of inches down from where the second bunch was attached on the opposite side. The third bunch completely covers the second bunch. (See Figure 9.)
Repeat the procedure until the first bunch is nearly reached, as in Figure 10. Continue to attach each bunch a couple of inches down from where the previous tip bunch was attached on the opposite side.
Lift up the first bunch and tuck in a bunch. Once tucked in, wire the bunch to the ring. Turn the wreath over and attach a bunch to the other side. There should be no room for another tip bunch on either side. Cut the remaining wire and wrap it around a nearby branch. The wire should not be seen.

The wreath is now finished. (See Figure 11.) If it is a good quality wreath, it will have the following characteristics:

be compact and sturdy (can be shaken without falling apart);
have a distinct, round hole in the center;
have no ring, wire, or broken stems showing;
be an acceptable weight (described in previous section).

Figure 1: The original branch is 12 to 20 inches long. back to text	Figure 2: Step 1—The branch is broken into two to three pieces (depending on the size and shape of the branch). back to text
Figure 3: The top piece is placed over the bottom piece. Another tip may be added to complete the bunch, if needed. back to text	Figure 4 back to text
Figure 5 back to text	Figure 6 back to text
Figure 7 back to text	Figure 8 back to text
Figure 9 back to text	Figure 10 back to text
Figure 11: A finished Balsam fir wreath back to text

Storing Wreaths

Wreaths should be stored under the following conditions:

In a cool, damp location (if the wreaths become dry, they can be sprinkled with water).
Sheltered from the wind, rain and sun.
Well ventilated.

Wreaths may be stacked together on pallets, which keep them off the ground and provide better ventilation. Storing them in a building will protect them from bad weather; however, doors and windows should be left open for ventilation. Large quantities of wreaths have been ruined when left in a closed building. Wreaths, like all organic matter, can decompose when left in a poorly ventilated area.

Prepared by: Mark Cercone, special project assistant and William D. Lilley, forestry specialist.

Technical assistance provided by Walter Thompson, Extension agent, Hancock County, and Dugald Kell, Kelco Industries.

Illustrations by Mark A. McCollough

Published and distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Land Grant University of the state of Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Cooperative Extension and other agencies of the U.S.D.A. provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.

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