Don't Throw Out Spare Apples When You Could Try This Easy DIY

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Our feathered friends may rely on us to leave treats out throughout the fall and winter to ensure that their tummies stay full and their songs remain happy. And while most know that birdseed feeders attract colorful birds to the yard, fewer people think about adding the fruits of the season, like apples, to their DIY bird picnics. However, a number of birds, including mockingbirds, woodpeckers, the American crow, robins, and cardinals, absolutely adore apples. So, if you have a few too many apples, help your feathered friends out by making them a wreath-shaped bird feeder filled with the fall fruits.

The wreath doesn't require a set number of apples, but if you'd like an impressive-looking wreath, aim for between nine and 12. That'll be enough apples to fill the wire and make a respectable-sized wreath. Use any variety of apples that you like, though to make it more aesthetic for you (and yummy for the birds), try a variety, like Cosmic Crisps, Granny Smiths, and even some larger crabapple varieties, like Dolgo. 

A plain wire hanger becomes the wreath. Although you can use any hanger, you may want to stay away from the painted variety. To work with the hanger, you'll need a pair of needle-nosed pliers (or something similar). You can dress up the wreath with twine or Sukh Natural Raffia Ribbon. Or if you'd prefer a country-fied look, style some gingham ribbon. Finally, keep a pair of scissors nearby to trim the ribbon.

Unravel the top of the hanger so that you can pull it apart. Using a pair of Serqd Premium 8-Inch Needle Nose Pliers will make this easier. Next, work out any kinks in the main body of the wire. You're going to thread the apples onto the wire, and this will be easier to do if it is straight. Slide the apples onto the wire like they're giant beads. You could core them first using something like a SCHVUBENR Premium Apple Corer Tool. Doing so will benefit the birds because you'll remove the seeds in the process. Apple seeds have cyanide in them, which can be toxic for our feathered friends if consumed in large amounts. 

Once you have enough apples on the wire, bend it into a wreath shape then twist the top of the wire back together to close the loop. To fancy it up, create a ribbon. Fraying the ends of the ribbon will give it a fluffier, more decorative look. You could even tie decorative twigs, pine boughs, or pinecones to the top to add some flair. Finally, hang it up. The apple wreath will be heavy, due to the weight of the fruit, so it isn't likely to stay on the tree branch, even if you reform the hook on top of the hanger. In light of this, use some of the twine to tie the wreath to a tree branch or fence post.

If hungry enough, the birds that land on your DIY bird feeder will peck out the flesh of the apples without any help. However, you can make the apple bird feeder prettier and easier for the birds to access. One way to do this is to slice at least one quarter out of the apples before you string them onto the wire. This gives them direct access to the fruit. They just need to stick their beaks in and nosh. While you're at it, give the birds something extra to munch on by pushing sunflower seeds into the skin of the fruit. Leave the shells on the seeds as this makes it easier for them to pierce the skin of the apples. For an extra treat, spread peanut butter inside the quartered apples and sprinkle on some bird seed.

Finally, very hungry birds might appreciate a perch to stand on while they eat. You can make perches on your apple wreath with some HOPELF 6-Inch Natural Bamboo Fruit Skewers. Simply stick the skewer through the side of each of the apples on the wreath. Make sure you pierce the apple all the way through so that there's a perch on each side of the fruit for your little Tweeties to stand on.