Bark Wall Pocket from a Fallen Tree
We love trees, and it’s always sad to lose one.
We planted this softwood maple ( I can’t remember the name of it) about nine years ago. The label said it was a fast grower, and it was. Too fast.
Some trees that grow too fast don’t always gain the strength they need to withstand the elements. Especially with our winters.
This tree was damaged in an ice storm two winters ago, which caused one of the main stems to crack a little where it meets the main trunk.
Nature can do amazing things so we decided to leave it to see if it would heal itself.
It came down in a thunder storm about a month or so ago.
No… it’s not budging.
So we spent an afternoon cleaning up to use it for future firewood (softwood makes good kindling). I don’t have any more pics of that because I wasn’t planning on doing a post on this.
Until a few weeks later when John came in with this after organizing the pile.
“Can you use this for something? ” he asked, handing it to me.
Ummm, “YES!!!”
He knows me well. Some other hubbies might have thrown this on the bonfire pile, but not mine.
Aren’t I a lucky girl?
It was a perfect twisted gift of natural beauty.
No makeover required.
I love it when that happens.
All I did was take off the pointed end with pliers to flatten out the bottom.
A few weeks ago when I posted about my vintage wall planter vase I said I wanted to find more of the same so I can have some flowers on a wall in every room in the house.
Two down… eight to go.
Then I drilled a small hole into the bark to hang it, and added a few artificial pink pretties that I had handy.
I love pink and turquoise together.
This is the summer look.
I’m not doing fall until it officially begins.
The naturally twisted bark is so amazing.
My bark wall pocket is hanging in the narrow corner in the just repainted upstairs hallway (to be shared later) between the bathroom and the guest room.
It’s a nice reminder of that lovely tree.
Sweet and simple. Just the way I’m liking things these days.
Now I’m on the hunt for something long and narrow that will hold water so I can put a few live flowers in this. It has to be easy to remove for adding water. Any ideas?
XOX
Yes, the fast growing trees are the first to be damaged in storms.
What a super cook idea the way you used the bark. Your bark wall hanger looks great and nice thing about it, you can change the flowers according to the season / holidays. Bless your hubby for saving it for you
Thanks Colleen! I’m looking forward to using it throughout the year.
Now THAT’S a good husband!!!! He must be a sweetheart to think of you first! And I love what you did! As for what to put inside……a glass tube….like they use in science stuff. I even think I have one. Sometimes you get stuff in them, like beads. They may be plastic, too. Anyway, I know you’ll come up with something!! Dona
Thanks Dona ! I never thought of that. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for one of those science tuby thingies. I wonder if they have them at the dollar store. They pretty much have everything else.
Very pretty use of the natural bark. I saved some birch bark from a trip to MN many years ago, and still haven’t put it to use. I look forward to seeing more bark projects if you have them.
My suggestion for a glass component would be a test tube, or perhaps an aquarium light bulb with the guts removed.
Can’t wait to see what you do next 🙂
Thanks so much for the suggestions. I do have a little more bark so I’m thinking about ways to use it. It’s the thick bark though, not thin like birch bark. Birch bark is so pretty. Lucky you.
Oh Tuula I love how you can make the most pretty re loves out of just about anything. This is so sweet.
Kris
I love how you “see” the potential in everything! Your bark wall hanging is so pretty! Can you make a sleeve out of heavy plastic to fit inside? Kind of like Flora Doora…have you seen her flower bags?
Try using a test tube or cigar tube (sometimes these are plastic, sometimes glass); nice wall pocket!
Thanks Kelly! Great suggestions. I cigar tube would certainly work too.
It’s perfect, Tuula! You are a genius, my friend 🙂 And it sounds like you have some great tips from the others about what to put inside. Hugs!
What a creative eye you have! Love your beautiful natural wall pocket. Thanks, Tuula, for sharing your idea at Vintage Inspiration Party.
It really is unique. Love it when nature provides us with gorgeous things! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Me too Jann. We’re surrounded by natural beauty every day. All we have to do is choose to see it.
That is so beautiful! Way to make lemonade from lemons!!!
You and I are both lucky to have husbands who look out after our crafting and junkin’ needs. Mine brings home stuff all the time and asks me if I can use it to make something out of.
I especially love it when he gets to bring old fixtures, doors, cabinets and stuff like that home from a remodel job.
I love the little wall pocket.
Thanks Ramona! Having a hubby who encourages my crazy ideas is such a blessing. How lucky that you have one too.