Fir Tree

by F Guarnieri

Every time I see an origami tree created by Francesco Guarnieri, I always think, “This is the most beautiful tree ever!” But then I see his next tree and think the next tree is even better.

This page is a “help page” for folding Abete 2 (Fir Tree 2) created by F Guarnieri. His flickr site shows only a crease pattern. The photos below will show you how to attain the crease pattern and how to collapse it into Fir Tree 2.

The original design consists of 5 tiers (layers). Instructions for the top tier is shown. Guarnieri recommends using paper squares that are:
    10 cm x 10 cm
    16 cm x 16 cm
    20 cm x 20 cm (two)
    29.7 cm x 29.7 cm (I used 30 cm x 30 cm)
It is best to use paper that is the same color on both sides because both sides will be visible in the finished model.

Make the Crease Pattern (CP)

Fold & unfold along diagonals.
Turn paper over.

Fold & unfold into 4 x 4 grid.

Blintz fold & unfold.

This is how the CP looks like.
Turn paper over.

Collapse into Preliminary Base.

Fold and unfold as shown.

This is how it looks like.

Fold and unfold as shown.

This is how it looks like.

Fold and unfold as shown.

This is how it looks like.

Fold and unfold as shown.

This is how it looks like.

Repeat on the other 3 flaps.

Fold top down in preparation for sink fold.

Unfold completely. Turn paper over.

Reinforce the Creases before Collapse

Valley folds along diagonals.

Mountain folds along inner square (this is for sink fold).

Mountain folds along creases outside of center square.

More mountain folds.

Finally, mountain folds along the edge of the paper.

This is how it looks like.

Collapse Crease Pattern into Model

Lift the edges so there is a large square at the bottom, like a box. Pinch the bottom of the square so the sides snap together.

It looks almost like a flower.
Turn model over.

Bring the 4 points together.

Turn model over.

This is the bottom of the model.
Sink the small central square.

Push in one side so the model is more compressed.

Repeat on the other 3 sides.

This unit is done. This is bottom view.

Top view.

Assemble Tiers

Pinch the bottom of a small unit and compress the sink fold. Slide this into the gaps at the top of a larger unit. Repeat until all tiers are assembled.

 

—> see original CP
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