Origami Coach

Christmas tree

Fold a flat evergreen with three overlapping tiers from one square. Two small accordion folds make the branches; the finished decoration lies flat rather than standing by itself.

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Before you begin

1 sheet · Square paper

15 × 15 cm

No scissors needed

This lesson is being checked for folding accuracy. It has not yet passed a physical fold-through review.

Step-by-step instructions

Read through the fold before you begin, or open any step in the folding viewer.

  1. After step 1: The sheet is a square, with all four corners visible.

    Begin with a square

    Place one square flat. Choose which side you would like to show on the tree; start with that side facing down.

    Look for: The sheet is a square, with all four corners visible.

    See this fold
  2. After step 2: The square is now a double-layer right triangle.

    Make a triangle

    Fold the upper-left half across the diagonal to the lower-right half. Match the corners and press the diagonal crease.

    Look for: The square is now a double-layer right triangle.

    See this fold
  3. After step 3: You have a broad triangle with a level base and one upward point.

    Point the triangle upward

    Turn the triangle on the table until the long folded edge lies horizontally along the bottom and the opposite point faces up.

    Look for: You have a broad triangle with a level base and one upward point.

    See this fold
  4. After step 4: The upper point hangs below the crease; the broad lower triangle stays flat.

    Start the lower branch fold

    Fold the upper part of the triangle down along the highlighted horizontal line, a little less than one third of the way up from the base. Fold both layers together.

    Look for: The upper point hangs below the crease; the broad lower triangle stays flat.

    See this fold
  5. After step 5: An upward triangle overlaps the broad bottom tier, making the first step in the tree's outline.

    Bring the point upward again

    Fold only the flap you just brought down back upward at the next highlighted line, slightly below the previous crease. Leave the original lower triangle in place. Flatten this small accordion fold.

    Look for: An upward triangle overlaps the broad bottom tier, making the first step in the tree's outline.

    See this fold
  6. After step 6: The smaller tip folds downward while the lower branches stay in place.

    Start the upper branch fold

    Fold the upper tip down at the highlighted line, above the first tier. Move only the paper above this line.

    Look for: The smaller tip folds downward while the lower branches stay in place.

    See this fold
  7. After step 7: Three triangular tiers overlap, narrowing toward the top point.

    Make the top tier

    Fold the downward tip back up along the lower highlighted line. Move only this tip flap, then press both little creases firmly.

    Look for: Three triangular tiers overlap, narrowing toward the top point.

    See this fold
  8. After step 8: The tree has three stepped tiers and no cut edges or separate pieces.

    Finish the flat evergreen

    Press the branch folds flat. Use this little tree as a flat table decoration or a gift tag; it is not a standing tree. Reopen and adjust either accordion fold slightly if you prefer taller branches.

    Look for: The tree has three stepped tiers and no cut edges or separate pieces.

    See this fold