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Natural Branch Coasters: How to Cut, Sand, and Seal Wood Slices

Have a tree limb that needs removing? Don’t just toss that wood away! Instead, use wood slices to create a set of beautiful, one-of-a-kind DIY coasters! These wooden coasters will quickly become a conversation piece at any gathering…while also protecting your furniture from water rings and spills. Here’s how to make a set of your own.

diy wooden coasters made from wood slices on a table

Sometimes the most beautiful DIYs are the simplest ones. Case in point? Making a set of branch coasters from a fallen tree will allow the beauty of that wood to live on and tell the story in its rings.

When you are out pruning and cutting back the garden, take a look at what you are about to throw in the wood chipper or firewood pile. Wood slices can be turned into many things, but my all-time favorite is these branch coasters that I made back in 2012.

I’ve had my cedar coasters now for almost 4 years and have had plenty of questions on the practicality of them. I’ve updated this original article, with some FAQs at the end of the DIY instructions. In short? I still love and use them daily!

Enamel dig for victory mug and natural branch coasters made from wooden slices

DIY Branch Coasters

It was a sad day when the largest, oldest tree on my street was hacked down and unceremoniously chucked into construction waste bins. The 50’ Western Red Cedar still had a lot of good years left, but got in the way of developers’ dollar signs and no amount of reasoning could sway them.

Neighbors came to say goodbye, walking through the wreckage, collecting a memento or two; tears were shed. It’s amazing the impact a tree can have and the immensity of the sense of loss for one treated with so little respect.

stack of wood slice coasters

I collected a few thick branches to turn into sets of coasters that I will pass on to neighbors who remember their kids climbing those same limbs many, many years ago.

Even if you don’t have as personal of a tree story, you can still make these wood slice coasters. Next time you see a tree trimming crew at work, ask the home’s owner if you can have a branch for a project—chances are, they will have no problem gifting you with a branch or two.

Wood slice coasters on a table

The project is simple but it will take some time to cut and sand each piece. The more time you spend getting them right, the nicer the final product will be.

Materials:

Make it!

1. Using the saw, cut sections of branches that are ½” thick.

2. Sand each section with heavy grit sandpaper, and then use a finer grit to smooth out the surface. Do not sand the bark on the edges.

3. Coat front, back, and sides with clear varnish and let dry. Untreated wood can also look beautiful as it absorbs the drips and condensation from the glasses that sit on it.

How to Make Natural Branch Coasters

Optional: Add Designs with Wood Burning

While the wood grain is beautiful on its own, you may feel like adding an extra special touch. An inexpensive wood burner, a bit of time, and creativity are all you need to create designs such as these.

pyrography wood burned coasters

See how to make wood-burned coasters in this post.

FAQ About These DIY Coasters

As I mentioned above, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about these wooden coasters since creating this project years ago. I did my best to answer the most frequently asked ones here, but if you have one that’s not addressed, please leave it in the comments below!

Turning tree branches into coasters DIY project via Garden Therapy #coasters #recycle

How do you dry the wood? How do you keep them from cracking?

I dried the wood slowly in a cool, dry room before cutting the coasters. Drying in a room that has limited moisture and heat allows the wood to dry slowly and helps to prevent cracking. It took many months as I put them in the basement in the fall and pulled them out the following year.  I tested to see if the wood was dry but cutting an end section. Even with this process, a few cracked. I discarded those as I had plenty more to work with.

I can’t give an exact number of months to dry the wood for because it could take you more or less time depending on how wet the wood is, how fresh it is, and the area that you dry it in. The best method is to dry it until it is dry when you cut into it. Test and if it needs more time, then leave it for longer.

What varnish/stain did you use?

I used Varathane clear satin varnish. The varnish was labeled as clear, but it does have a honey color in the can. It made the final coasters look a little darker than the dry wood (like wet wood), which I expected and like.

Don’t they leak sap?

No. Perhaps a different kind of wood could leak sap. But I dried the wood thoroughly and have never seen one drop of sap in 4 years of using them.

Staining Natural Branch Coasters DIY project

How did you keep the bark on the outer edges?

The bark stayed on due to the type of wood, Western Red Cedar. I was careful to not pull it off but it is pretty sturdy. I did varnish the sides around the bark as well.

Did you glue felt or anything to keep the coaster from marking the furniture?

When sanded they are smooth so won’t scratch anything, and they are varnished and dry so they don’t stain. You certainly could put felt or little feet on them if you choose, though.

What can I do with these wooden coasters?

Of course, you can keep and enjoy them for years at home, as I have. However, if you have extras, these make a lovely gift! Consider gifting a set of these coasters along with a mug and a set of tea or artisan coffee.

Any more advice?

There are plenty more ideas and tips in the comments section. Have a read over it and please chime in if you have any advice to share!

More Garden Crafts to Try:

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DIY Coasters from Wood Slices

Learn how to make your own stunning DIY coasters from wood slices. If you have a fallen tree, this is the best way to preserve and enjoy the grain for years to come!
Cost $5

Equipment

  • hand saw

Supplies

  • branches should be straight and at least 3.5" in diameter
  • sandpaper heavy grit + fine grit
  • clear varnish optional, but recommended

Instructions

  • Slice branches into 1/2" thick pieces with the handsaw. Try to keep the slices as even and straight as possible.
  • Sand each wood slice down using the heavy grit paper first, then the fine grit to smooth it out. Don't sand the bark.
  • Wipe clean, then coat the front, back, and sides with a clear varnish. This is optional, but can prolong the life of the wooden coaster.

 

Comments

  1. This is a beautiful project, we have cut some and varnished them, but they seem to be sticking together. Any ideas? Thanks

    Reply
    • It seems to me like the varnish is not fully dry yet. It can take weeks to cure properly in cold/damp weather. Could you try sanding them with a very fine grain sandpaper and letting them cure somewhere dry and warm?

      Reply
    • Hi folks – DRYING the limbs after they are removed from the trunk of the tree –
      Best find some tree branches where they broke off some time ago in wind or ice event. Drying will NOT be necessary. There’s dead trees every where.
      MARVIN’S TINY WOOD SHOP – Coffee and end tables,
      quilt ladders, jewelry boxes, toy boxes.
      planters, napkin holders, Cedar chests.
      479-419-5548
      Marvin Shelley, Master Sawdust Maker

      Reply
  2. Would polyurethane work as well on the coasters,or would it make the condensation run off on the table

    Reply
    • Shirley – Just put your work piece on wax paper then what ever runs off will not harm the table top.

      Reply
  3. When we bought our current home, some type of parasite vine had killed several 30-foot tall, skinny
    red Oak trees. I left them alone. No telling how long they had been dead, but after 5 years a bunch of them fell. There’s enough 2-1/2″ to 8″ branches and trunks to make a gazillion coasters, lazy susans, whatever.
    If someone is around NW Arkansas, email for my phone number and come get all you can haul. Bring your own saw. These are my next project after the quilt ladders, cedar chests and some small boxes, etc.
    I used a recip saw to cut a section out of the vines from living trees to save them. Some vines were up to 6″ thick.
    Marvin Shelley
    Master Sawdust Maker

    Reply
  4. I’m looking for actual instructions in the drying method. You don’t share any of that so the title of your post is misleading. For how long did you dry them. Did you dry the branch first or after you cut them? Where did you dry them (indoors or out)? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hi Cathy, the title of the post is “Natural Branch Coasters” which doesn’t seem to be misleading to me. Also, have a look at the first FAQ, I wrote there that I placed the wood in a cool, dry room to dry it. I can add a few more details to another line for you as well. Best, Stephanie

      Reply
      • These are so beautiful – im starting a craft group for adults with Learning disabilities – these are beautiful !!! –
        when they take them home (Just reading the comment from someone saying the varnish wasnt dry) – ill send them home with a note of how to dry them,
        Could you let me know what the best thing they could do is – is it as easy as leaving it in a room for two weeks? – thanks so much

        Naomi xx

        Reply

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