This origami tree has been around for a long time. It is often called “Origami Tree” or “Origami Christmas Tree”. Here, I give it a new name to distinguish it from all the other origami trees that are in existence, I call it a Pyramid Tree because each section is shaped like a pyramid.
2014: it has been noted that this design is actually not a traditional model; rather, it was created by Makoto Yamaguchi. As such we should keep the original name as stated by the designer.
Paper sizes:
If you are using 6″ origami paper, then a good size would be 6″, 5″ and 4″ squares. Note that the undersides of each pyramid-layer will be white. If you use paper that is the same color on both sides then you won’t get that problem.
If you are using computer / photocopy paper then the largest size you can use is 8.5″ x 8.5″. Here, you can use 8.5″, 7.5″, 6.5″, 4.5″ and 3.5″ squares to give you a 6-layered tree. The units become difficult to fold when the paper is less than 3″ square.
If you want a larger (taller) tree. you can cut large sheets of wrapping paper to the appropriate sizes.
The trunk of the tree should be made with paper the same size as the largest sheet used to make the top of the tree. In this example, photocopy paper was used and they were:
brown: one 6″ square,
green: one 6″, one 5″ and one 4″ square.
Cut your paper to size and start folding with the largest sheet.
Make Top Units of the Pyramid Tree
Step 1:
Make a Preliminary Base. Fold and unfold along the diagonals to get an X-shaped crease mark. Turn paper over. |
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Step 2:
Fold in half (left to right). Unfold. |
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Step 3:
Fold in half (top to bottom). |
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Step 4:
Begin to collapse the model into a Preliminary Base. Bring the top-left and top-right corners towards each other. Allow the top section to swing up… |
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Step 5:
Swivel the top-flap towards the right. There should be a similar flap behind, fold this one towards the left. |
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Step 6:
Work with the top layer of paper only. Bring the bottom-corner to the right-corner as shown. |
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Step 7:
Press the paper (yellow arrows) to establish a crease. Unfold. |
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Step 8:
Fold the top-layer of paper up so the bottom-corner meets the top-corner. |
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Step 9:
Turn the model over. |
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Step 10:
Repeat step 6: bring bottom-corner to the right corner. |
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Step 11:
Press the paper where indicated (yellow arrow) to establish crease. Unfold. |
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Step 12:
Fold the top-layer in half (bottom to top). |
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Step 13:
Like turning the pages of a book, turn the top-right flap towards the left. Similarly, turn one flap (that is behind the model) form left to right. |
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Step 14:
Repeat steps 6 to 12 on the remaining two flaps. |
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Step 15:
The next few steps will make the model 3D so it won’t lie flat anymore. |
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Step 16:
This is how it looks like, top view. Repeat step 15 on the adjacent flap. |
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Step 17:
Repeat step 15 on the remaining two flaps. |
  
The last flap is the most difficult one to make because the model is already quite compact and tight. It gets even harder when the paper is smaller. Shown above is how the last flap can be tucked in between the layers. This is a bottom view. |
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Make the Trunk of the Pyramid Tree
Step 1:
Make a Preliminary Base with the brown paper. Fold and unfold along the diagonals to get an X-shaped crease mark. Turn paper over. |
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Step 2:
Fold in half (left to right). Unfold. |
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Step 3:
Fold in half (top to bottom). |
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Step 4:
Begin to collapse the model into a Preliminary Base. Bring the top-left and top-right corners towards each other. Allow the top section to swing up… |
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Step 5:
Swivel the top flap towards the right. There should be a similar flap behind, fold this one towards the left. |
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Step 6:
Make a Squash Fold. To do this, lift the top-right flap. |
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Step 7:
Repeat Squash Fold on this side of the model. Lift the flap and… |
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Step 8:
Repeat Squash Fold on the remaining two flaps. |
Step 9:
This is how it looks like when all 4 flaps have been squashed. Like turning pages of a book, turn the right-flap to the left. Swivel one flap (behind the model) the opposite direction. |
Step 10:
Fold the trunk of the tree the same way you did for the top of the tree (see step 15 above). Bring the bottom-corner to the right-corner. |
 Press the paper (yellow arrows) to establish a crease. Unfold. |
Step 11:
Fold the bottom section up. |
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Step 12:
Turn model over. |
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Step 13:
Repeat step 10: bring bottom-corner to right-corner. |
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Step 14:
Fold the bottom section up. |
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Step 15:
Repeat steps 10 to 14 with the two remaining flaps. |
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Step 16:
Flare open the model. |
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Step 17:
Make the tree trunk 3-dimensional the same way you did with the top of the tree in step 15 above. |
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Step 18:
Repeat on the other three flaps. |
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Step 19:
This is how it looks like when all 4 flaps are done (top view). |
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Assemble the Pyramid Tree
Completed Pyramid Trees
Watch video:
