There's a special kind of satisfaction in folding something that stands up and looks back at you — and this old tree does exactly that. Gnarled branches, a sturdy twist at the base, and a silhouette that feels like it's been growing for decades, all from a single square of paper.

This one's a proper project: it starts from a 16x16 matrix base and rewards patience more than fancy technique. Put on some music, pour a coffee, and let the creases do the talking.

This page is for those who want the instruction to fold an origami old tree.

This origami old tree starts from 16x16 matrix origami base. It takes 36 steps to complete this model, including making the 16x16 matrix origami base.

If you are ready, then let's get started.

You may use any kind of paper to fold this origami tree. Make sure the paper that you use is a square (all sides are equal and all the angles equal 90 degrees). The paper I am using here is 20cm x 20cm square one.

This is the front side of paper.

This is the back side of paper.

STEP 1.

Begin from a 16x16 matrix base — the grid foundation this model is folded from.

STEP 2.

Prepare to apply the crease pattern (CP) of the upper-right corner.

STEP 3.

Apply the CP of the step #2.

STEP 4.

Prepare to apply the crease pattern (CP) of the lower-right corner.

STEP 5.

Apply the CP of the step #4.

STEP 6.

Prepare to apply the crease pattern (CP) of the lower-left corner.

STEP 7.

Apply the CP of the step #6.

STEP 8.

Prepare to apply the crease pattern (CP) of the upper-left corner.

STEP 9.

Apply the CP of the step #8.

STEP 10.

Prepare to apply the crease pattern (CP).

STEP 11.

Apply the CP of the step #10. Prepare to turn the origami tree model over.

STEP 12.

Turn the origami tree model over. The tree model can stand by itself. Prepare to turn the origami tree model over.

STEP 13.

Turn the origami tree model over. Prepare to twist the bottom by 90 degrees.

STEP 14.

Twist the bottom by 90 degrees. Prepare to turn the origami tree model over.

STEP 15.

Turn the origami tree model over. This is the top view of the origami tree model. Prepare to rotate the origami tree model by 90 degrees.

STEP 16.

Rotate the origami tree model by 90 degrees. Prepare to apply a mountain-fold.

STEP 17.

Apply the mountain-fold of the step #16. Prepare to rotate the origami tree model by 90 degrees.

STEP 18.

Rotate the origami tree model by 90 degrees. Prepare to apply a mountain-fold.

STEP 19.

Apply the mountain-fold of the step #18. Prepare to rotate the origami tree model by 90 degrees.

STEP 20.

Rotate the origami tree model by 90 degrees. Prepare to apply a mountain-fold.

STEP 21.

Apply the mountain-fold of the step #20. Prepare to rotate the origami tree model by 90 degrees.

STEP 22.

Rotate the origami tree model by 90 degrees. Prepare to apply a mountain-fold.

STEP 23.

Apply the mountain-fold of the step #22. Prepare to rotate the origami tree model by 90 degrees.

STEP 24.

Rotate the origami tree model by 90 degrees. Curl each branch in a random direction.

STEP 25.

Congratulations! You have completed making an origami old tree.