Branching out

Garden full of twigs and branches—lucky me! 11 imaginative ways to use free wood in your garden

Twigs and branches tend to pile up when pruning and clearing your garden. But no worries, you can use them right on your own property. You can place them at the bottom of raised beds, shred them for compost or mulch, or craft eye-catching decorations, supports, and fences. Check out these ideas!

Author Henna-Kaisa Ranta

Images A-lehdet Photo Archive

February 3, 2025Lue suomeksi

1. Raised beds edged with branches

Flexible willow is excellent for weaving. Besides making flowerbed edges, you can also weave entire raised beds from willow.

2. Climbing arch made of birch twigs

This birch twig arch was built on top of a metal frame found at a scrap metal collection point. The frame was bent into an arch with the help of a ring, then one end was set in concrete and the other was driven deep into the ground. The twigs are attached with wire, and more twigs can be added as the old ones dry out and break.

3. Branch fence is a classic—and a wonderful choice for nature

A branch fence creates an oasis for beneficial decomposers and insects. It’s also a great final destination for all the branches and twigs that accumulate in your garden, because stacking them into a fence keeps the carbon in your garden instead of releasing it into the atmosphere, like when burning wood. All twigs work, both small and large! In this article, you’ll find illustrated instructions for building a branch fence. If you’d like to read more about carbon sequestration in the garden, check out this article [in Finnish]!

4. Beautiful plant supports

You can make supports from small sticks for seedlings, climbing plants, and large-flowered perennials or annuals like dahlias. It’s best to set up supports early, while plants are still small, making them easier to build and position. Also check out Finnish Kotona's readers’ ideas for DIY peony supports!

Growing beans along climbing supports — Beans growing along climbing supports made from branches.

Supports made from branches in the vegetable garden — Put the supports in place while the plants are still small.

5. Delightful twig hanging basket

Small twigs are great for making a hanging basket. All you need is a frame. You’ll find detailed instructions for making the basket in this article [in Finnish].

6. Trellis made from branches

You can also use branches to build a trellis, perfect for the edge of a patio or a flowerbed. Choose tree trunks with roughly the same thickness that are already dry. Build a trellis with our detailed DIY instructions [in Finnish]!

7. Charming space dividers

Both branch fences and trellis-like branch structures can serve as natural-looking space dividers, letting you create cozy nooks and rooms in your garden.

A space divider made from branches in the garden

8. Hut for children

Branches make wonderful huts! The hut in the first photo was built from willow for grandchildren in this large, stunning garden. [in Finnish]

A tent made from thin tree trunks. — You can plant vines to climb on the hut so it will be covered in green by late summer.

9. Base for a floral arrangement

Twigs instead of a flower frog or chicken wire ball? Why not! Cut the twigs into short pieces, layer them in a container crosswise, and secure them with vertical sticks. Then put water-resistant tape across the container for added support. Take a peek at floral artist Kreetta Järvenpää’s other tips for relaxed arrangements!

A floral arrangement from garden flowers.

10. Beautiful wreath bases

Besides traditional wreath bases, you can also craft a striking table wreath from thin branches of a tree or shrub. Master florist Saija Sitolahti shows you how to tie a fresh spring table decoration with ease!

11. A branch bowl for serving or the wall

Use leftover branches from pruning shrubs to make lightweight bowls. You can also make a hanging decoration with a tray. Check out our detailed instructions [in Finnish]!