“With its natural and quiet aesthetic, this contemporary winter forest collection will bring calm to a season of stress and excess.”

Botanical artist Stacey Carlton, AIFD, EMC, owner of The Flora Culturist in Chicago, Ill., pulls from natural elements to create an alternative winter wonderland. With trees fashioned of wood excelsior, her contemporary enchanted forest brings an island of calm to an otherwise hectic time of year. Carlton tucked water tubes into the excelsior to make easy work of adding and changing out stems of lightweight fresh botanicals. A collection of these whimsical trees, which can be made in any height and arranged in either a horizontal row or a geometric grouping, makes for a versatile composite centerpiece, buffet piece or mantelpiece for home or office.

Fill water tubes with flower-food solution, and add minimal botanicals as desired. Base your collection with natural materials such as sweet-gum seedpods or small pine cones.

Creating one tree at a time, spray a dowel with adhesive. Wrap a generous amount of wood excelsior around the tacky dowel, starting at the top, creating a subtle thicker treelike taper as you move down the dowel. Allow the adhesive to dry. Create as many trees as you wish for your composite centerpiece.

Lightly spray the excelsior with adhesive to tame flyaways and solidify the shape. Allow to dry.

Spray 3-inch water tubes lightly with adhesive, and sink them into the excelsior as desired. Be mindful of visual and physical balance and distribution. Allow to dry.

Fill water tubes with flower-food solution, and add minimal botanicals as desired. Base your collection with natural materials such as sweet-gum seedpods or small pine cones.

Spray 3-inch water tubes lightly with adhesive, and sink them into the excelsior as desired. Be mindful of visual and physical balance and distribution. Allow to dry.