Tree Router Template (Clear Acrylic)

Tree Inlay Router Template - Clear Acrylic Woodworking Template

Add a clean nature-inspired detail to your woodworking projects with this reusable clear acrylic Tree Inlay Template. Designed for routing recessed inlay pockets, this template is a great fit for cutting boards, charcuterie boards, serving trays, cottage signs, cabin decor, live edge wood, wall art, and epoxy-filled woodworking projects.

The tree profile works well as a simple outdoor, forest, cottage, or nature-themed accent. Its compact shape makes it useful for corner details, board centres, small signs, rustic trays, handmade gifts, and live edge pieces where you want a clean tree inlay without overpowering the wood.

What You Can Make With This Template

• Tree inlays for cutting boards and charcuterie boards
• Epoxy-filled tree details in live edge wood
• Cabin, cottage, camping, and outdoor-themed signs
• Rustic trays, serving boards, wall art, and display panels
• Custom gifts for hikers, campers, cottagers, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts

Why Use a Clear Acrylic Tree Inlay Template?

• Designed for recessed inlays: This template is made for routing a pocket into the surface of your project, not for cutting out a full board shape.
• Clear for accurate placement: The transparent acrylic lets you see the wood grain, knots, figure, live edge, and layout marks underneath before routing.
• Great for rustic projects: The tree design pairs naturally with walnut, maple, cherry, live edge slabs, figured boards, and epoxy-filled details.
• Reusable for repeat work: Made from 1/4" thick acrylic, this template can be used again and again when handled carefully and stored flat.
• Works well with epoxy: Route the tree pocket, fill it with epoxy and pigment, let it cure, then sand it flush for a clean finished inlay.

Recommended Products to Use With This Template

• Template Tape - Use this to secure the acrylic template to your wood before routing.
• Pocketing Bit - Helpful for removing most of the material in the larger open areas of the tree inlay.
• Small Detail Pocketing Bit - Useful for tighter corners, small openings, and finer areas around the tree profile.
• EcoPoxy UVPoxy - A good epoxy option for filling routed inlays up to 1/4" deep.
• Beaver Dust Pigments - Add colour, shimmer, contrast, or a bold filled look to epoxy inlays.
• Dimensional Wood - Great for cutting boards, signs, trays, panels, and repeatable inlay projects.
• Live Edge Wood - A natural fit for charcuterie boards, cottage serving boards, rustic signs, and epoxy inlay projects.
• Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil - Recommended for food-contact boards after sanding and finishing.
• Grand Finishing Hardwax Oil - A strong choice for decorative and non-food-contact projects like signs, trays, wall art, and display pieces.

How to Use This Tree Inlay Template

1. Prepare your wood: Start with a flat, clean surface. This template works well on dimensional boards, live edge boards, cutting board blanks, charcuterie boards, signs, trays, and decorative panels.
2. Position the template: Place the clear acrylic Tree Inlay Template on your project and use the transparency to line it up with the grain, live edge, board edge, centreline, or layout marks.
3. Secure with template tape: Apply template tape to the back of the acrylic template and press it firmly onto the wood before routing.
4. Route the inlay pocket: Use the larger pocketing bit to remove most of the material in the wider areas. Use the small detail pocketing bit for tighter corners, smaller openings, and finer details within the tree profile.
5. Remove the template: Carefully lift the template from the wood after the pocket has been routed.
6. Fill the inlay if desired: For an epoxy-filled look, mix epoxy with your chosen pigment and fill the routed tree pocket. Leave enough material to sand flush after curing.
7. Sand and finish: Once the epoxy has fully cured, sand the inlay flush with the wood surface. Use a food-safe oil for cutting boards and food-contact pieces, or a hardwax oil for decorative and non-food-contact projects.

Watch How We Use Acrylic Inlay Templates

This video shows the general process for using clear acrylic router templates to create clean, repeatable inlay pockets.

Template Details

• Design: Tree profile
• Tree profile size: Approximately 5.375" long by 5" tall
• Template size: 7.875" wide by 7.875" tall
• Material: 1/4" thick clear acrylic
• Use: Routing recessed inlay pockets, tracing, and repeatable layout work
• Template SKU: 03-058

Helpful Router Template Guides

• Template Guides - Browse our main hub for router template tips, project ideas, and related guides.
• Router Template Guide - Learn how router templates work and how to get cleaner, more consistent results.
• What Router Bit Do I Need? - Choose the right router bit for pocketing, detail work, and template routing.
• Template Routing for Beginners - A beginner-friendly guide to getting started with acrylic templates and routers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tree template for cutting out a full board shape?

No. This template is designed for routing a recessed tree-shaped inlay pocket into the surface of your project. It is not intended as a full board outline or cutout template.

Can I fill the tree inlay with epoxy?

Yes. After routing the pocket, you can fill the tree inlay with epoxy and pigment. Once the epoxy cures, sand it flush with the wood surface for a clean finished result.

Which router bit should I use with this template?

Use the larger pocketing bit to remove material efficiently in the wider areas. Use the small detail pocketing bit for tighter corners, smaller openings, and finer areas around the tree profile.

How do I secure the acrylic template while routing?

We recommend using template tape. It holds the clear acrylic template firmly to the wood while routing and avoids the need for screws or clamps in most inlay layouts.

Can this template be reused?

Yes. The template is made from 1/4" thick acrylic and can be reused many times when handled carefully, cleaned after use, and stored flat between projects.

What projects work best with a tree inlay?

This design works well for cutting boards, charcuterie boards, cabin signs, cottage decor, camping-themed gifts, rustic wall art, live edge serving boards, trays, and nature-inspired woodworking projects.

What finish should I use after sanding?

For food-contact boards, use a food-safe cutting board oil such as Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil. For decorative or non-food-contact projects, Grand Finishing Hardwax Oil is a good option for a durable, natural-looking finish.

Create clean, repeatable tree inlays with accurate placement, consistent routing, and a professional finished look. This clear acrylic Tree Inlay Template is a practical shop template for cutting boards, charcuterie boards, live edge pieces, signs, trays, wall art, and epoxy-filled woodworking projects.