How to Make a Bentwood Trellis

Bentwood trellises are traditionally made from green willow saplings but other kinds of freshly cut tree branches will also work for an arched trellis. The branches bend easily when green and freshly cut, then dry and harden into a permanent and attractive garden structure.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• 16 6-foot long freshly cut branches of dogwood, willow or other trees
• 15 to 20 feet of freshly cut vine (Grapevine, Virginia Creeper or English Ivy)
• Two 14-inch diameter terracotta pots 12 to 15 inches deep
• Floral wire
• Perennial vines such as clematis, trumpet, jasmine, kiwi or other climbing vines

1. Gather the vines and branches. Trim the branches so all the side branches are removed except a few at the top. Gather the branches the day you plan to make the trellis.
2. Place the pots in the area you want the trellis. Fill each pot with soil and pack down well. Use heavy, damp soil because potting soil is too lightweight and will not hold the branches firmly upright.
3. Push eight branches into the soil evenly around the outer edge of each pot, placing the branches so their natural curve will angle in at the top. Push the branches all the way down to the bottom of the pot, add a small amount of water and pack the soil firmly around the branches, adding extra soil as needed.
4. Pull the eight branches together carefully at the top of each pot and wire them together forming a tepee. Gently pull both sets of branches together to form an arch. Adjust the distance between the pots to the correct the width and height for the trellis arch as needed.
5. Wind long vines loosely around the eight branches at equal distances forming hoops around the arch. Wire the hoops securely to the branches all the way around the arch.
6. Add more soil and water and pack the soil firmly around the branches. Leave the bentwood trellis untouched for two weeks except for watering and packing the soil as needed around the branches in the pots.
7. Plant climbing and flowering vines after 2 weeks around the branches in the pots and carefully begin training the vines to climb the arched bentwood trellis.
8. Preserve the bentwood trellis by brushing furniture oil onto the vines and branches to keep them supple.

Tips & Warnings

• Brushing with furniture oil each winter helps keep the bentwood branches and vines supple.

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