Hi Rainy~

I think instead of trying to nail the branches into the trunk, it would be much easier to drill a hole into the trunk wherever you want a branch to be and either glue or screw the branch into place after you push it into the hole. We used to make fake ficus trees with real trunks when I was a florist and we would drill the trunks and hot glue the branches in...don't know if hot glue would work for you since I don't know where you live. Make sure you post pix when you're done!

A couple things to add to Marlene's good idea, use carpenter's glue (hot glue melts in sun) & be sure to angle your drilled holes so part of hole in the middle of trunk is somewhat pointing down so branch will look natural also hold better.End of bottle will be pointing skyward not parallel to the ground. Have fun! Jan

No advice for you, rainyday...but Good Luck & please share pics...Have you seen the bottle trees on the GJ Inspiration site? I'll post the link below ...purplemoon maintains this site for all of us to share ideas! I've been collecting cobalt blue ones!
Jeanne S.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bottle Trees

Thanx so much for the follow-up, & thanx to Jeannespines for the link to all the bottle trees! So many talented people! OMG---it has taken me 5 years to save enough blue bottles for a small tree, & now I've seen these gorgeous examples. I thought I only wanted a traditional blue bottle tree, but when I saw one with all different colors, I liked it, partly because the person who made it used small vases etc to fill in. My original idea was to hang the bottles from the branches by wires so they swing in the breeze. My W Virginia grandmother had one like this, to keep the 'hoodoos' off the property. I may have to take up drinking with a passion to collect more bottles.

rainy...please share a pic when you complete your tree! I've been collecting "blue bottles"...don't have many but contemplating a project, too! Spring is coming! Jeanne S.

Hi Rainy Day! I've had tons of luck scoring free bottles at restaurant bars. Just ask the bartender if they have any empties they're throwing away. They're usually happy to unload them. I even had one barkeep take me outback to their recycle bin which was FULL of great bottles ... lots of blue ones, too! She told me I could come back and raid the thing whenever I want more.

Have fun and good luck!