Learn all about the Easter egg tree tradition, and, how to make (or where to buy) a spring Easter tree with the easy step-by-step instructions below!
An Easter egg tree is a fun Easter tradition originally from Germany but is gaining popularity in the United States of America, England (UK), Australia, and worldwide. When this tradition first began in Germany, a large outdoor tree or bush was selected to decorate with hollowed-out eggs. While today, spring or Easter trees are made and decorated inside and outside of the home, classroom, or workplace with Easter eggs and many other types of Easter ornaments and Easter tree decorations.
Our family loves participating in the Easter tree tradition. First, we enjoy making new Easter ornaments and decorating our Easter egg tree with colorful Easter eggs hung on a length of ribbon or fishing line. Next, we like to display our homemade tree decor as a centerpiece on our spring nature table in the weeks before Easter Sunday.
And finally, we love to put our DIY spring tree on the dining table as a centerpiece for Easter. We think it’s the perfect centerpiece or decoration for Easter brunch or dinner because it adds a festive touch that spruces up the occasion. It also adds a bit of whimsy for the kids–and the young at heart–to make Easter even more fun. You might also enjoy these family easter traditions and Fun Things to do on Easter.
What is an Easter Tree?
An Easter egg tree is a tree or bush traditionally decorated with hollowed-out eggs, Easter ornaments, and other Easter tree decorations hung on colorful ribbons. Today, Easter egg trees make a gorgeous, yet simple, Easter decoration for the home, workplace, or classroom.
Children from toddlers to preschoolers and kindergarteners to teens and adults enjoy making and decorating spring trees no matter what holiday you choose to celebrate. Simply make it a reflection of your beliefs, culture, and values by decorating it with spring symbols that are meaningful for you and your family, classroom, or workplace.
To make or decorate one, Easter eggs, Easter ornaments, and simple spring or Easter decorations can either be hung on trees and bushes outside or on bare branches and small trees that are brought inside the home. Scroll down for the step-by-step how-to project tutorial.
What does an Easter Tree represent?
For many, the Easter tree represents the rebirth of spring and the sweeping away of winter. Because the egg has long been revered as an ancient symbol of rebirth, fertility, life, and regeneration these ornate and colorful trees were originally decorated with gorgeous hollowed-out eggs to symbolize the welcome, and much anticipated, return of spring.
Like in ancient times, decorating bare trees with colorful eggs hung on beautiful ribbons is a great way to bring back the pastel colors of spring as they are only beginning to bloom in the world outside. So for many, decorating a tree with eggs is a way to celebrate the joy that comes with spring and the abundance it will bring.
Just imagine seeing a beautiful large tree or Ostereierbaum decorated with colorful eggs in the middle of a once-barren landscape that is just beginning to awaken. It must have been breathtaking to witness, and a joy to behold. Thus, they are a celebration of spring and everything it will bring. And best of all, they can be re-created in modern times inside and outside of the home.
But today, there are lots of other fun Easter ornaments you can make or buy in addition to colorful eggs. So we have several DIY easter ornament crafts you can make at home or in the classroom, that make it super easy to decorate your Easter or spring tree. You might also enjoy our Spring Bucket List of fun seasonal activities.
When do you put your Easter Tree up?
We like to put our spring tree up sometime after Imbolc and just before the spring equinox, but they can also be exclusively used on Easter or another spring holiday as a centerpiece.
A German Easter tree also makes lovely tree decor or a centerpiece for a spring nature table in the weeks before Easter and the dining table for Easter brunch. But feel free to decorate and use your spring tree however you like.
How did the Easter egg tree tradition begin or Originate?
The Easter egg tree tradition, also known as an Ostereierbaum, is said to have originated in Germany during pre-Christian times, but its exact origins have been lost. However, there are many people who believe that decorating a tree with eggs was also a part of early earth-based spring festivals and celebrations in other parts of the world. Because there is evidence of large outdoor trees decorated with eggs in other parts of Europe such as Poland, Hungary, and Austria.
Easter Egg Tree Ideas
Making a spring Easter egg tree is not only a fun way to connect with the kids but an easy way to add beautiful spring decor to your home. Use these quick and easy Easter egg tree ideas (or the step-by-step DIY tutorial below) to make a gorgeous spring tree for your home, classroom, business, or workplace.
I’ve noticed in my years as a caregiver and parent that children like to decorate Easter egg trees just as much as they enjoy decorating Christmas trees. And this makes decorating a tree with eggs and other fun homemade or store-bought ornaments a fun spring equinox or Easter tradition that the whole family can enjoy. For more ideas, look at this list of traditional and modern Easter traditions you can try.
Spring Easter Tree Centerpiece and DIY Decor
Spring trees also make a lovely DIY centerpiece for your table whether you prefer to host or attend brunch or dinner when the Easter bunny comes to town, or celebrate something entirely different. Either make homemade Easter ornaments and decorate an Easter egg tree with the kids as a family Easter tradition or make it a part of your spring celebrations, or another holiday tradition if you prefer.
Today there are several types of store-bought and DIY handmade Easter ornament options you can use to decorate a spring tree centerpiece. For example, you can make or buy wooden eggs, large plastic eggs, glass eggs, crepe paper eggs, carrots, chicks, bunny crafts, wooden ornaments, and more to use as Easter tree ornaments.
Easter Egg Tree Supplies
- Collect bare branches, or, purchase a small twig tree or a small tree with lights.
- A vase, a large mason jar, or a large recycled canister or bottle. (Not needed if you purchase a tree.)
- Sand, pebbles, rocks, or flat-backed marbles. (Not needed if you purchase an Easter Tree.)
- DIY Easter tree ornaments and/or ready-made Easter Ornaments and Easter Tree decorations.
How to Make an Easter Tree
First, use natural bare branches and large twigs to make an Easter egg tree similar to the Easter tree in the photograph above, or buy an artificial tree, such as a small twig tree, a small tree with lights, or any other small tree you like that would make a nice Easter tree. (The step-by-step instructions to make a homemade Easter tree follow below the supplies in the next section.)
Next, decorate the Easter egg tree with Easter eggs and these homemade Easter ornament crafts, or scroll down to the bottom of this post to see our favorite Easter ornaments to buy.
Learn how to make an Easter egg tree with bare branches and twigs with these quick and easy step-by-step how-to instructions.
1. Gather (or purchase) bare branches and twigs or a small tree.
- Encourage the kids to go out on a nature hunt in search of fallen twigs and branches to collect that will fit in a vase and work to make an Easter Tree.
- Small thin limbs that are two to four feet long work best.
2. Trim limbs and branches (optional).
- Skip to steps 6 or 7 if you decided to purchase branches, or a small tree, to use as an Easter tree.
- First, use pruning shears to trim off any excess foliage on the tree limb or branch.
- Next, trim each bare branch to the shape and size desired.
3. Paint branches white or leave them natural. (optional).
- Leave branches and twigs natural as they are, or, use spray paint to paint them white. (As shown in photos)
- If you choose to paint, allow tree twigs and branches to dry before moving on to the next step.
4. Place twigs and branches in the vase or Mason Jar (optional).
- Place the Easter egg tree branches and twigs one by one into a medium to large vase or mason jar.
- The idea is to arrange the branches like you would arrange a vase of fresh flowers. Turn them and move them until the tree forms a nice shape.
5. Add vase filler of choice (optional).
- Add sand, pebbles, rocks, or other vase filler to fill in the spaces between the Easter egg tree branches to stabilize and beautify.
- Using a vase filler to fill in the spaces between the bare branches gives the homemade Easter tree a more appealing look, and provides the weight the vase needs to keep the tree stable and standing.
6. Glue pom-poms or greenery onto the branches of the DIY Easter egg Tree (optional).
- Before decorating your DIY Easter Tree, it is optional to glue pom-poms, wool roving, felt flowers, or greenery onto the branches of it.
- Have a look at the pom-poms that we glued onto our Thankful Tree to learn how!
7. Decorate the Easter tree.
- Decorate your Easter tree with any of the gorgeous DIY and ready-made Easter egg tree decorations and ornaments listed below. Scroll down for step-by-step instructions and decoration ideas!
Related: How to Color Natural Brown Eggs
How to Decorate an Easter Tree
Put the DIY Easter egg tree or small twig tree on a table and invite students, co-workers, or family to decorate it with any of the fun Easter egg tree decoration ideas listed below.
Our daughter LOVES decorating our Easter tree with ornaments every spring before Easter. You can see her decorating the Easter egg tree we made in 2015 in the photograph below.
How to Decorate a Tree for Easter
Traditionally hollowed eggs were used to decorate Easter trees, and this is why they are called Easter egg trees. While eggs of all kinds make fantastic Easter tree ornaments, there are a few other items you can use to decorate an Easter egg tree. These cute and easy bunny crafts kids can make also make great homemade Easter tree ornaments.
And we’ve rounded up even more ideas on this list of DIY Easter Tree Ornaments that you can make including pom-pom chicks, toilet paper roll birdhouses, and traditional hollowed eggs. Or, scroll down for a list of gorgeous ready-made Easter egg tree decorations.
Easter Tree Ornaments
Or, decorate your Easter tree with any of the gorgeous Easter tree ornaments you can buy from the list below.
- Easter egg ornaments
- Hand-painted glass Easter egg ornaments
- Paper mache Easter egg ornaments
- Stained glass Easter egg ornaments
- Real eggshell hand-painted bunny and flowers
- Vintage wooden Easter ornaments
- Wooden pysanky Easter egg ornaments
- Easter egg decorations
- Carrot ornaments
Related: Rustic Walnut Shell Baby Jesus Ornament
Decorate a Tree for Easter This Year!
Add a touch of meaning and magic to your home with an Easter tree. Children from toddlers to teens love decorating seasonal trees and an Easter tree is no exception.
An Easter tree adds a spring element to your home decor. It also makes a perfect centerpiece or a lovely addition to your spring nature table.
Once Easter is over we love to turn our Easter tree into a butterfly tree that we keep up and continue to decorate with various ornaments, nature finds, and crafts that we make throughout the summer.
Next, we make a Thankful tree in the fall for Thanksgiving, and finally, we are big fans of decorating a Christmas tree as a family Christmas tradition.
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
More Easter Ideas
- Easy Bunny Craft
- Fun Family Easter Traditions
- Easter Egg Decorating Ideas
- Wooden Easter Egg Decorating Ideas
- Watercolor Surprise Easter Egg Art
- Eco-Friendly Easter Basket Ideas
- Easter Art Projects
- Natural Toys for Easter Baskets
- DIY Easter Baskets
More Spring Ideas
- Spring Bucket List of Fun Activities
- Magical Spring Books for Children
- Baby Chick Craft Ideas for Kids
- Rainstick Musical Sensory Bottle
- Spring Vernal Equinox Traditions
Beautiful – I love decorating for all holidays! Thank you for recommending our homemade eggs too!
I love decorating too! You’re welcome 🙂
Kids just love decorating trees, right? How funny that you had to hold back and let your little one do it all by herself … I’m the same! Thanks so much for linking up to my felt Easter tree decorations post!
They sure do and they don’t like it when you move what they have placed–haha! You’re welcome 😉
What a sweet idea! I am always looking for new additions to our nature table. The kids will love this. 🙂
Thanks! You’re kids will love this! I wish we made some of the crafts instead of using store bought one’s. It would have made it even more fun! There’s always next year!
So cute! We have a tree outside that my kids would love to decorate like this. Thanks for the idea!
Decorating trees in your own yard is an excellent way to make an Easter tree. I like to keep ours on our spring nature table, and then put it on the dinning table on Easter weekend 🙂
Ooh, I love Easter trees! I wish we had a tree in our yard to do this with — we might have to go hunting for some sticks!