Twigs and Branches aren’t used much in DIY projects but are used often in arts and crafts. The best glue for twigs depends on your project, so let’s take a look at what glue will work best for you.
In a rush?
No time to read? The best glue for twigs and branches is PVA wood glue. If you don’t know which one to get, I recommend Elmer’s Carpenters Glue MAX. It’s safe and non-toxic, with the added bonus of being completely waterproof (unlike most PVA wood glues).
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Best glue for Twigs & Branches
I was surprised when I was researching this article to find that twigs are used so often. Not in the DIY world, but in the art world, for arts and crafts.
For most ars and crafts applications, the easiest option for twigs and branches is just plain old PVA glue like Elmer’s School Glue. However, there are some other options depending on where your project is and what other materials are involved.
Best glue for sticking twigs to wood
One of the most common art projects featuring twigs is creating a natural-looking photo frame.
The best glue for twigs to wood, paper, or card is PVA glue. It’s safe to use and completely non-toxic so it’s great for kids too.
For interior projects – the best option is Elmer’s School Glue or Elmer’s Wood Glue. Both are chemically similar, and both will form a strong bond with wood and twigs.
You can paint, varnish or stain the dried glue just like you can with wood, so it makes a great-looking art piece without any visible glue holding it together.
Best glue for twigs for outdoors projects
For outdoor projects – the best option is to pick up a waterproof wood glue variant like Elmer’s Carpenters Glue MAX. It’s usually a little more expensive than regular wood glue or school glue, but unlike cheaper options, it won’t fall apart when it gets wet.
If you don’t need to paint or varnish your project afterward, you may also choose to use E6000, Amazing Goop, or even just regular Superglue instead. All of these dry clear and will hold up to water, but can’t be painted or stained like wood glue can.
Best glue for sealing branches after pruning
This is not so much an arts and crafts tip, but a gardening tip.
After pruning some trees or bushes, it’s necessary to seal the end of the cut branches to prevent rot.
There are so many opinions on this, some people swear by honey, some people use superglue, some people use candle wax.
In my opinion, the best option is to use a waterproof PVA like Elmer’s Wood Glue MAX. As it’s outdoors, you will need to ensure you get the MAX version, as regular wood glue is not waterproof and will dissolve the first time it rains.
These glues don’t have harmful chemicals like Superglue and are much stronger than Candlewax.
The aim of sealing branches is to prevent moisture from causing rot. Although Honey is a natural antiseptic, it’s not at all waterproof and will attract flies and other insects, so I would not recommend using honey for sealing branches.
Elmer’s Wood Glue MAX is completely waterproof, dries a natural wood color, and forms a very strong bond to the wood. It’s so strong it’s actually stronger than the wood itself.
Its strength and the fact it’s non-toxic mean it’s often used for plant grafting too, it’s the best option in my opinion.
Arts and Crafts Ideas with Twigs:
Twig wall art:
100 ways to use twigs and branches:
40 DIY trees and Branches project ideas:
20 Tree Branches Decor Ideas:
Conclusion
To sum up, the best option for twigs and branches is a strong PVA wood glue. It’s sandable, stainable, paintable, and stronger than the wood itself.
Make sure to pick up a waterproof version if your project will be in the kitchen or bathroom (or some other humid environment) or outdoors.
I recommend Elmer’s Carpenters Glue MAX.
Hope this helped, and good luck with your project!
-Bill
