Bottle Trees

Decorative, Colored Bottles

Bottle Trees are made from colored glass bottles. They can be quite decorative in the yard or garden. They are associated with an ancient tradition of keeping away evil spirits.

The most common bottle trees are made from decorative blue glass bottles, but green, amber, red glass bottles, or even clear bottles are typically used. These decorative bottles, or colored bottles of all sizes are a welcome addition to the tree. Any empty bottle can be used to make this special tree.

This "TREE" can add some beauty to your garden. It will be a "One of a kind",that is uniquely yours. You can use bottles with special significance, or just use ones that appeal to you. This tree will "Bloom" with beauty year round. There is nothing to maintain, and the tree can "grow" with empty glass bottles, at your leisure.

picture is from; Paul Everret

A Bit of Bottle Trees History

Typically, the Trees reflect an ancient African tradition that goes back to the nineth century Congo. To ward off evil spirits, natives would hang hand blown glass on huts and trees.

It has been a southern tradition, followed by southern African-Americans. Typically using Cedar trees, they would decorate the branches with colorful glass bottles, after stripping off the leaves. Some people call them ("African"" Bottle" "Trees").

A Few Bottle Tree Legends:

One belief is that: The Bottles hold the spirits of ancestors

Some believe that: This Tree made from Bottles can grant wishes

The most common belief is that : The colorful, colored bottle attracts evil spirits, and once inside they are "trapped" The sound of the wind blowing through the bottles, is thought to be that of the moaning spirits

photo by:bptakoma The popularity of these decorative Trees are on the rise, and thought to be "the latest thing" in garden art. They have been featured as accessories in many prestigious flower garden shows around the world.

What a creative way to add some decorative garden art to your garden! You can build your own, or simply order one ready made, like these Flower Style trees. They are ready made, waiting to be (planted) in your garden. They are made out of smooth round rods. Shipped completely assembled, you simply stick in the ground, and bend the rods where you want them, then add your Bottles.
I don't know anything about "Evil Spirits" but I do think these trees are not only beautiful, but fasinating.

Many people can remember seeing these trees in the yards of neighbors, (especially in Southern states) but not knowing anything about them. Was the neighbor trying to decorate the yard, recycle their bottles, or ward off evil spirits? The popularity of these decorative Trees are on the rise, and thought to be "the latest thing" in garden art. They have been featured as accessories in many prestigious flower garden shows around the world. What a creative way to add some decorative garden art to your garden! You can build your own, or simply order one ready made, like these Flower Style trees. They are ready made, waiting to be (planted) in your garden. They are made out of smooth round rods. Shipped completely assembled, you simply stick in the ground, and bend the rods where you want them, then add your Bottles.

Take a look at this wonderful Children's Book "The Glass Bottle Tree" Children's book by Evelyn Coleman, and illustrated by Gail Gorden Carter. It is a lovely book with a wonderful story about the bottle tree.

In a rickety old house, with a makeshift pickety fence, down a long dusty road, a little girl lived with her grandmother.

And in the middle of their yard was a tree in which the family's spirits lived, captured in bottles placed on the tree's limbs.

The grandmother and granddaughter lived peacefully together and understood each other so lovingly and completely that they didn't need words.

During the day they tended their garden. Afternoons, they swam in the river, and after supper they sat before the fire and knitted winter blankets.

One day, two social workers came to the house and threatened to take the granddaughter away. But the old woman releases the spirits from their bottles and saves her family.

Gail Carter's paintings eloquently capture the joy and sadness in this tender story of strength, faith, and commitment.

Do you have a Bottle Tree? Won't you share a picture of it with us? These trees are now popular just about everywhere. Its so much fun to see ones from around the world! Send in your picture and lets see who has the most decorative Tree!

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