CarolineC's Blog

How to Make Trellises With Trees from Your Backyard -- Part 2
May 9, 2008 | 9:07 PM PST
Tags: Trellises , How to Make Trellises

This is a design that is more original.  I think I saw a plant/vine holder that looked like this and/or something to dry your laundry on that looked like this which could fold.  Even doing this much, though, was enough for me, and I definitely wasn't going to even attempt to make it fold.  It's sturdier than the other one, and because it doesn't need to be "planted" into the ground, the legs probably won't rot off as easily. ;)  Like with the other trellises, screws would make it sturdier, but I used nails because that's what I had, and it's a little bit easier.  So, substitute as you see fit.  As with the others, I place the heavier/thicker branches towards the bottoms and the thinner/more lightweight branches towards the top.  

 

Mock Folding Trellis

Materials/tools:

Branches:

 

4 Thick "X" branches-- as straight as possible

Length: 40"  Diameter: 2 1/2"  

 

4 Thin "X" branches

Length: 40"  Diameter: 1-2"  

 

4 Thick Short Cross Bars--as straight as possible

Length: 42" Diameter: 2 -- 2 1/2"  

 

4 Thin Short Cross Bars

Length: 42"  Diameter: 1 -- 2"  

 

5 Long Cross Bars--as straight as possible

Length: 60"  Diameter: 2 -- 2 1/2"  

Exterior Nails

1 1/2", 2", 2 1/2", and 3" nails  

Maybe some garden wire

Drill, varying drill bits, hammer, and saw  

1. Take 2 Thick "X" branches, cross one over the other at the middle so that the bottom of the legs are about 30" apart and the bottom to the top measures about 30".  Twirl the branches around until you find the best fit.  This will make the first end piece.  The measurements do not have to be exact, what's more important is that the two end pieces are nearly identical.  Drill 1-2 pilot holes and nail them together using medium-large nails.

2. Place a Thick Short Cross Bar over the bottom of the "X" about 4-5" above the bottom.  Drill 2 pilot holes on each side and nail medium-large nails in.  Do the same with the top Thick Short Cross Bar.  You can use garden wire to reinforce the branches/keep them in place as you're nailing it together.  

 

 3. Cut the bottom pieces of the "X" so that it will be flush with the ground when stood upright.  Now you have your first end piece.

3 a. Follow steps 1-3 for the second end piece.  You can place the second over the first for measurements to make sure that they are nearly identical.

 

4.  Lean one end piece against something so that it is basically upright, or have someone hold it for you.  Place the other one about 50" away.  Place one Long Cross Bar across the two so that it hangs over the two end pieces evenly -- about 3" on each side.  Hold the other end as perfectly upright as you can and drill pilot holes and nail it in.  Do the same with the other end piece.

5.  Nail in a Long Cross Bar on the other side, then one in the middle and two on the top.

6. Thread a Thin "X" branch over and under the top, middle, and opposite bottom long cross bars whichever way fits best approximately 17" (in other words one third in) in from the end piece and nail it in. 

 

 7.  Do the same with another thin "X" branch in the opposite direction to for an "X".  Place a Thin Short Cross Bar across the bottom of the "X" hanging over the two bottom Long Cross Bars  and nail it in.  Place a Thin Short Cross Bar over the top of the "X" and nail it in. 

7 a.  Follow steps 6-7 for the last "X" which should be placed about 1/3 in from the other end piece--approximately 17" in from the end.  

Drill pilot holes and reinforce any areas that seem to be weak. Ta-daaaa. :)