Metal Tree

I have been cleaning out my shop, and I found this old sculpture that I made. I decided to share it with the instructables community because I like the sculpture and I haven't seen anything like this. It is fairly easy to make, all you need is some wire and needle-nose pliers.

To make this tree you will need:
~Tools:
      -Pliers
      -Wire cutters
      -Knife   (Optional)

~ Materials:
      -Thick wire (24 in)
             OR
      - Multiple strands of 12-14 gauge wire
      - Single strands of bare Al or Cu wire (depending on what you use for the rest of it)
      - Nuts, batteries, etc...   (optional )

*note: I use thick twisted Al wire and single strands of Cu

To prepare the wire you will use to make the trunk, shave away the insulation surrounding the thick wire.

To form the roots that make up the base,  "fray" the wire for about 3 inches. bend the wires so that is looks more like actual roots.

For the branches, do the same thing you did for the roots, but for about 6 in. Bend the branches inward to form the spreading arms of a tree.

You could stop here, but you would have a really boring tree. To add some spice, take the single strands and wrap them around the trunk and interweave them into the branches. 

* Another cool idea, if you have a brazing torch, try melting the trunk so the colors blend more. I think it would be really cool, but I am currently out of O2 for my torch, and can't try it.

To give your tree even more personality, add some fruit. I have used nuts here, but on other trees I have used batteries, scrap metal, etc. You could even make this into a pen holder for your cubicle. Use your imagination. To attach my nuts, I looped the nut and twisted the wire around itself. To add this into the tree, just weave it in like you did with the single strands.

When you plant your tree, you want to have it just where you want it. I like putting mine on lamps, bedposts, desks,...                                                                         
When you have found your place, use the roots to stabilize and hold the tree in place.