I grew up in Pennsylvania where autumn is always a special time of the year.  The trees’ leaves change color from summer shades of green to produce a vibrant and colorful landscape of autumn’s yellows, oranges, and reds that makes any person stop in their tracks to look for a while and take in the natural beauty with much appreciation.  I have fond memories from my childhood collecting leaves in autumn and placing them in books to press and dry.  I remember looking at the pressed leaves with satisfaction as they were perfectly flat and still very colorful. 

Some years had passed, and as a young adult looking for a bit of nostalgia from my childhood, I sat on the floor of the small library in the home that I grew up in, flipping through pages of books that I had enjoyed reading as a child.  With much surprise and delight, I came across beautiful leaves that I preserved from my childhood.  I realized at some point; I stopped reading these books and had forgotten that I had placed the leaves in them.  It was like finding a lost treasure that I had forgotten. 

Many more years have gone by and when I think about the wonderful times of being a child and the beloved memories of my mother who allowed me to use my books as leaf presses, it strikes my heart deeply.  I’m very grateful for this treasure of memories.  This is why making wooden nature presses is so special to me and I hope to pass on a legacy of creating memories that children can enjoy for a lifetime.  If you decide to purchase a Tree2Toy nature press or if you are looking for a “how-to” for preserving flowers and leaves with a wooden nature press, please read on.

How the wooden nature press works:

The hardwood nature press is designed to sandwich flowers, leaves, and herbs between layers of blotter paper and corrugated cardboard ventilators to squeeze out excess moisture by applying pressure from the tightening of straps or bolts with wingnuts.  Our 5”x7” press uses adjustable Velcro straps and the 7”x7” press uses brass bolts, washers, and wingnuts.

Blotting paper is highly absorbent and removes excess moisture from plants and leaves to preserve their shape and color.

Corrugated cardboard ventilators also absorb moisture and create airflow in the press which reduces the risk of mold.

Tips for collecting:

It’s preferable to collect plant materials and leaves in the morning hours after the dew has evaporated.  However, this is not always possible on a hike or if coming across a specimen in the afternoon.  Be careful in the warmer part of the day when heat can wilt plants shortly after cutting.  The compact and smaller 5”x7” press is great when out and about.  It’s easy to carry in a small pack or bag with a shoulder strap and provides the opportunity to place freshly cut plants in the press.  Remember, the fresher the better when it comes to preserving color and shape, so pressing plants as soon as possible after cutting them will yield the best results.

Tips for placing plants and leaves in the press:

• Avoid dew or moisture when placing into the press.
• Choose flowers and leaves of equal thickness to press together.
• If the flower has a thick center, it may be wise to remove the petals, leaves and stem, and press separately (the flower may be reassembled later when mounted).
• Be sure that petals are spread out flat.
• If it’s desirable to curve the flower stems, shape them gently before pressing.

• Arrange plants and leaves on blotter paper, leaving ample space between them so they can thoroughly dry.  Also overlapping petals or leaves may stick together.

How to use the nature press:

Like making a sandwich, place the wooden nature press parts and plant materials in the following order:

• Wood press (bottom)
• Corrugated cardboard ventilator
• Blotter paper
• Flowers, leaves, herbs
• Blotter paper
• Corrugated cardboard ventilator
• Wood press (top)

Keep in mind that more layers can be added to the press.

For the 5”x7” press with straps,

1. Lay the (2) straps out flat.
2. Place the bottom wooden press piece on top of the straps.
3. Place the remaining wooden nature press parts and plant materials in the following order: corrugated cardboard ventilator, blotter paper, plant materials, blotter paper, corrugated cardboard ventilator, 2^nd wood press piece.
4. Push/pull the ends of the Velcro straps through the buckles and cinch them together leaving a little slack.
5. If necessary, adjust the wood, cardboard, and blotter paper so that all edges are generally aligned.
6. While firmly pressing down on the press, tighten and secure the Velcro straps.
7. Check on the press daily and tighten the Velcro straps a little more.

For the 7”x7” press with brass hardware,

1. Place the wooden press piece with the recessed holes on its side, and place each of the (4) brass machine screws (threads first) into the recessed holes. Use one hand to hold the machine screws in place while laying the press flat with the screw threads facing up.
2. Place the following wooden nature press parts and plant materials in the following order: corrugated cardboard ventilator, blotter paper, plant materials, blotter paper, corrugated cardboard ventilator.
3. Line up the 2nd wood press piece (with holes) with the ends of the (4) machine screws and lower it on top of the corrugated cardboard ventilator.
4. Place the (4) flat washers on the wood.
5. If necessary, adjust the wood, cardboard, and blotter paper so that all edges are generally aligned.
6. It may be necessary to push down on the press to get the wing nuts on the screws. While firmly pressing down on the press, tighten the (4) wingnuts but avoid overtightening where the washers are being pushed into the wood.  Also, if the press is overly tight, the flowers may show the lines from the cardboard corrugations.
7. Check on the press daily and tighten the wingnuts a little more.

Tips for Finishing in the Press

Keep the press out of direct sunlight and in a dry place with good ventilation (humidity can cause mold). On average, the process should take between 1-3 weeks. Retighten the press each day. 

When the flowers and leaves are fully pressed and dry, remove them and store in a flat box between layers of tissue paper until ready for use.

Tips for Mounting

Handle pressed flowers and leaves carefully, as they may be fragile.  Avoid placing pressed flowers in direct sunlight as their colors will fade.  Plan your positioning and gently set the flowers and leaves in place.  Tweezers make it easier to handle small pieces.  To mount to wood, paper, cardboard or any other flat surface, apply a small amount of white glue to the thickest part of the plants.  When in a picture frame, the glass will hold the flowers in place.  In scrapbooks or journals, it may be wise to apply a bit more glue or cover with clear plastic.  When pressed flowers are mounted in books it’s a good idea to place a piece of tissue paper in between the decorated pages for extra protection.  Pressed flowers also add a personal touch to stationery and greeting cards.

Most importantly, remember to have fun, enjoy the day, and create a treasure of memories!