This is the star of the whole project. A 3 mm natural cotton macramé cord in a muted sage, forest green, or soft neutral gives every tassel tree that soft, boutique texture — a single ~109 yd spool is enough for a full garland of trees with plenty left over for trial knots.

Rustic jute twine becomes the garland’s spine — it is what every tassel tree gets tied onto, and it is sturdy enough to also tie the tassel trunks themselves. Leave extra length at both ends so you have plenty to loop for hanging later.

An unfinished wooden star glued right at the top of each tassel tree is what makes the whole garland read as a designed piece rather than a pile of cord. Leaving the wood raw (instead of painted) keeps the warm, natural look intact.

A dab of hot glue behind each wooden star (and behind the knots along the garland base) keeps everything secure through weeks of holiday display and storage. Mini glue sticks are the easiest size to control on such small pieces.

Running a fine-tooth comb or small wire brush through each trimmed tassel end separates the cotton fibers into a soft, feathery texture — the small detail that makes the trees look styled instead of just cut.

Select a muted sage, forest green, or soft neutral cotton cord. Cut 8 to 12 strands per tree, with lengths varying — roughly 6″, 8″, and 10″ — to give each tree a layered, branch-like effect. Also cut a long length of jute twine for your base “garland rope,” leaving extra at both ends for hanging.

Take a long jute twine segment (or a sturdier cord) as your “trunk line.” Fold a green cord strand in half, place the loop below the trunk line, then pull the ends over and through the loop — a classic lark’s head knot. Attach multiple strands this way, spacing them evenly, starting with the longest at the bottom and shorter strands toward the top.

After knotting, trim the sides so the shape reads as a triangle: the bottom row longest, the next row slightly shorter, and so on up to the top. Use small, sharp scissors to carefully snip the ends, then gently comb or brush the trimmed ends to create a soft, feathery look.

Gather the bottom ends of every strand used in one tree. Tie them together neatly using a piece of jute twine, about ½″ to 1″ up from the bottom, then trim the tassel’s end so it hangs straight and even.

Lay your long jute twine base flat. Attach each tree by tying its trunk section to the base cord, spacing the trees about 2 to 4 inches apart (or your preferred spacing). Add a small knot or a dab of hot glue behind each knot for extra hold.

Glue one wooden star right at the top of each mini tree, where the topmost cords meet. Press gently until set. If you want extra security, tie a very short piece of jute twine above the star to attach it directly to the garland base.

Hang the garland across your mantel, wall, or over a mirror, and let the tassel trees sway slightly for movement and texture. Give the garland ends a little loop using the leftover jute — perfect for hanging on nails or hooks. Do one final pass over every tree: fluff the cord ends, trim any stray fibers, and adjust spacing until it looks right.

Sage isn’t the only option. The same lark’s-head technique works beautifully in forest green for a richer, more traditional look, or in a soft neutral cream for a garland that blends into farmhouse or coastal decor year-round, not just at Christmas.

This isn’t a mantel-only piece. Drape it along a staircase railing, layer it over a console table, or hang it around a mirror frame — the trees add texture and movement wherever there is a straight edge to hang them from.

Being honest: this is a decorative cord-and-wood accent, not a fire-rated product. Keep it well clear of lit candles, open flames, or space heaters, and treat any string lights you layer in as a separate, UL-listed product with its own safety rules.