There's just something so magical about the winter! Snow, twinkling lights―it's just all so beautiful. So, why wouldn't you want to bring a little piece of the outdoors in? If you hope to create you own little winter wonderland (without the ice and snow!), you need to learn how to flock a Christmas tree. Flocking the tree you just picked out at the Christmas tree farm can add the most whimsical touch to your Christmas decorations, even in parts of the country that seldom receive snow.
The best part? It's possible to flock both live and artificial trees. (Although Ree Drummond says a Christmas tree should always, always be real!) No matter what your preference, flocking is a fun family project that adds a special sparkle to any Christmas tree. While creating a perfectly flocked Christmas tree can be a tad messy, it's not difficult if you follow a few simple steps.
"Even if you’re not crafty, you can do this project," says Diane Davis, co-owner of Grandma Buddy’s Christmas Tree Farm in Sebastopol, California. "It's also a biodegradable product which contains a fire retardant, and because flocking will coat and preserve a live tree's moisture, you will not have to water your tree for as long as you display it."
In other words, adding a flocked Christmas tree to your home is eco-friendly, safe, and makes your life easier. And there's just something so special about a white Christmas tree—especially once that's trimmed with festive Christmas tree decorations. So, let's get to it! Here’s everything you need to know about how to flock a real or fake Christmas tree.
Buy bagged flocking.
Professionals use machines to spray on flocking, but you’ll be doing it by hand. Typically, flocking is made of cellulose paper or corn or wheat products. Davis recommends choosing the bagged flocking instead of the type you find in a spray can, which is more like spray paint and doesn’t give you the proper effect. Plus, it can get expensive because you’ll need a lot of cans!
You also can buy flocking in bulk; it's cheaper, lasts a long time, and you don’t want to run out mid-project if you have a very large tree. Typically, one 25-pound bag can flock about four 6-foot trees, so you can use the extra in subsequent years or decorate wreaths, garland, branches, or even pine cones with it, too.
Set up your work space.
Weather-permitting, set up your workspace in the backyard or in the garage with the door open. Lay down a plastic drop cloth around the tree to catch drips. Get your tools ready, including work gloves (latex gloves work well, too), a surgical mask, and eye protection. Wear old clothes; flocking material does wash out, but it gets pretty messy.
Wet down the entire tree.
Whether you’re dressing up a real or faux tree, the flocking will not adhere to a dry tree—so give the tree a good misting. If outdoors, mist the entire tree with the garden hose.
"You want it damp, not dripping wet," says Davis. If indoors, use a spray bottle (which will take quite a bit of time!) or a new garden pump sprayer. Those come in various sizes, but they’re inexpensive and will help the job go a lot faster.
Apply the flocking material.
Wearing gloves and a mask, sprinkle handfuls of the material on the tips of branches. You can also use a big sifter, but Davis says she feels there’s more control when doing it by hand. For the best effect, stick with flocking only the tips of branches, just as it would appear after a light snowfall.
“If you try to coat the entire tree by hand, it turns out looking gray instead of white, which is really unattractive,” says Davis. “Don’t try to get it all the way back on the branches because it doesn’t look natural." Step back and check it out from different angles to see where you may want to add more flocking.
Wet the tree again.
Now that you’ve applied the flocking, mist it all over again to help the material adhere to the branches. Don’t blast it with a strong spray, which will remove the flocking—just a light spritz of water will do.
Let the tree dry.
Allow the tree to sit undisturbed in a covered location for 24 to 48 hours so the material hardens. It cannot be left outdoors in the elements or the material will be washed off by rain or snow. The flocking should feel stiff, not sticky, when it’s ready to be brought indoors. Humid weather will cause it to dry more slowly, so be patient. You can also direct fans on low toward the tree to circulate air to help it dry. Once it’s dry, you also can apply a second coat to enhance the effect.
Bring your tree indoors to decorate.
Now it’s time for the fun part! Add lights and ornaments as you always would. If you knock any flocking material off, you can carefully touch it up. Follow the same steps, but just wet the specific area with a small spray bottle and make sure you cover the rest of the area with a drop cloth, says Davis.
Afterwards, check with your municipality for how to recycle your live Christmas tree. For faux trees, carefully place in cool, dry storage until next year.
Shop Everything You Need to Flock Your Christmas Tree
Peak Seasons White Superstick With Opalina
SnoFlock The Original Premium Self-Adhesive Snow Flock Powder with ShimmerSpec
Peak Seasons White SNO-Bond Flock in A Box
CHAPIN Multi-Purpose Sprayer with Adjustable Nozzle
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
