CarolineC's Blog

How to Make Trellises With Trees from Your Backyard -- Part 1
May 9, 2008 | 8:47 PM PST
Tags: Trellises , How to Make Trellises

SpringChicken asked me to share my expertise on making trellises with trees form your backyard.  I wouldn't really call myself an expert, but I'll share what I know. ;)  I basically got this first design from the book "Making Arbors and Trellises."  It is a wonderful book with many excellent designs using tree branches, but mostly real wood.  It also has a design for a simple teepee trellis.  I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn more about making arbors and trellises.  I got my copy at the library, so you may be able to find a copy at your library as well.  These homemade trellises made of tree branches from your backyard are probably not good for heavy perennial vines such as grapes, as they are lightweight and rot faster than regular trellises.  In fact, one of the "legs" that I "planted" last year rotted off, so it's only 1/2 as sturdy this year. ;)  I have used mine for annuals such as cucumbers and sugar snap peas. 

 

The dimensions that I give are the ones that I used, but you can certainly change them to suit your needs/preferences.  As you can see form my own trellises, the actual size and shape and placement of the wood can vary quite a bit.  And remember, you can always cut the wood down, but it's a lot harder to put it back together, so estimate high, especially for the zigzag pieces.  I drilled pilot holes for the larger nails and thicker wood so that the wood wouldn't split and the nails would actually go through.  A pilot hole is a hole that is a little bit smaller in diameter than the nail/screw.  As a general rule, place the heavier, thicker parts of the wood towards the bottom and the lighter, thinner sides towards the top.  Ideally, use exterior nails so they won't rust as fast.  More ideally, use screws rather than nails, which hold together better, but I used nails, because it's what I had, and it was a bit easier.

Basic Square/Rectangular Flat Trellis, with optional fan top

Materials/tools

Wood/branches:

2 "leg" branches

Length: 45"  Diameter: 1-2" 

 

3 Cross bar branches

Length: 50"  Diameter: 1- 1 1/2"

 

10 Zigzag Diagonal branches

Ranging in sizes from Length: 21" -- 36" Diameter: 1/2" -- 1 1/2"

 

Exterior Nails

1" nails, 1 1/2" nails, 2" nails, 2 1/2" nails

 

Maybe some garden wire

Drill, Hammer, Saw

 

For fan top:

1 curved "green" branch

Length: approximately  52" Diameter: 1" - 1/2"

 

5 fan branch pieces

Diameter: 3/4"- 1 1/2"  Length: ranging from 13"-15"

 

1. Set the two "leg" branches on a flat surface approximately 43" apart.  Place the 3 cross bars over them approximately 10" apart from each other leaving about 3-4" over hang on each side and about 20" of "leg" on the bottom, and 2"  on top.  Drill pilot holes as necessary and nail them in, starting with the bottom piece, then the top, then the middle, readjusting as necessary so that it is square.

2. Place 5 zigzag pieces over the structure diagonally, adjusting until you have a pleasing design.  Drill pilot holes as necessary and nail them in where the branches overlap.

 

3. Flip the structure over and place the other zigzag pieces diagonally going in the other direction.  Drill pilot holes as necessary and nail them in.

4. Cut off the excess zigzag pieces at the bottom so that they are straight across and will be basically flush with the ground when you "plant" the trellis.  Cut off the excess top pieces if you want it to look neat, or want to put on the fan top.

Note:  My trellis without the fan top is actually a little bit taller, because I know I wouldn't be putting on a fan top.

 

5.  "Green" wood is wood that has been cut from the tree no more than 24 hours earlier.  Green wood is flexible and can be bent into shape without breaking. The thinner the wood is, the easier it is to bend.  Willow is one of the most flexible woods.  I don't have willow trees, but if you do, you could probably use a thicker piece of wood that I did. 

Bend the wood from end to end to make sure it will fit.  Nail the thicker end in first and reinforce with garden wire if necessary.  Nail the other end in.

 

6. Flip the structure over and add the fan pieces, starting with the middle one and work you way out.  Cut them down to the correct size as you work.  Reinforce with garden wire as necessary.

Voila!  Be forewarned that if the branches that you used for the legs of the trellis are freshly cut that when you plant them into the ground they may start growing leaves as mine did last year. ;)