Uses for Branches and Logs

With many people pruning at this time of year I thought I'd come up with some useful things to do with the pruned twigs and branches. Today a neighbor gave me several large bundles of long supple apple tree branches.(3 - 6 feet long and about 3/4 inch thick).

Being a crafter, I couldn't resist them! I have several ideas for them: I'm weaving them through my chain-link gate in a vertical pattern. It not only adds privacy, it looks great! Another idea I had was to make a trellis by tying brown nylon rope around the thicker branches to form "squares".

I've also decided to make twig-covered vases with them. I will start with clear straight-sided drinking glasses from the dollar store then glue the twigs to the outside of the glass with clear E-6000 glue then wrap raffia around the top and bottom then tie a knot or bow. The neighbor who gave them to me says he uses the apple-wood branches for barbecuing with.

I've also thought these green branches would make wonderful doll furniture and if they are supple enough, maybe a wreath? They need to be stored in the shade or they will dry out. It's also a good idea to hose them down once in a while to keep them supple if you want to bend them. Any other ideas?

By Cyinda