How to Build a Natural Arbor Out of Limbs
You can make a beautiful natural arbor out of tree limbs. Any pliable tree limb can be used to create a rustic arbor for your yard or garden space. The arbor consists of four vertical supports that are bent over at the top ends to form an arch. Smaller sections of the limbs are used as cross-supports for the arbor. You can leave the limbs completely natural and bind them with garden twine so that the arbor blends into the natural surroundings. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 4 branches, 120 inches long
- 12 branches, 24 inches long
- Garden twine
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- Post hole digger
- Gravel
- 2 branches, 48 inches long
Instructions
-
-
1
Place the 120-inch branches in pairs of two on a work surface. Orient the branches vertically and space them 24 inches apart so that they are parallel. The two pairs of branches are the uprights for the arbor.
-
2
Lay one 24-inch branch perpendicular across the pairs of branches at 30, 42, 54, 66, 78 and 90 inches. Tie the 24-inch branches at each end to the uprights with garden twine. These are the cross-supports. Wrap the twine around the branches several times before double-knotting the twine at each joint. Trim off the excess twine with scissors.
-
-
3
Select a spot in your outdoor space to place the arbor. Measure out and mark a 24-by-48-inch rectangle using a tape measure. Mark the corners with the blade of the post hole digger.
-
4
Dig a 22-inch deep hole at each corner of the rectangle using a post hole digger. Leave the dirt at the edge of each hole. Fill the bottom of the hole with 4 inches of gravel.
-
5
Insert the ends of the upright assemblies, bottom ends first, into the holes. The bottom ends are where the cross-supports start 30 inches from the end. Hold each upright assembly straight up and fill in the holes around the branches. Pack the dirt around each branch with your feet to secure the assemblies in the ground.
-
6
Position one 48-inch branch across the two upright assemblies at the front and back at 96 inches up from the ground. Wrap garden twine around each end of the branches and tie it off in a double-knot to secure them to the upright assemblies. Cut off the excess twine.
-
7
Bend the top ends of the upright supports over to form an arch. Overlap the ends of the corresponding branches by 6 inches. Tie the branches together by wrapping them with garden twine and tying it off in a double-knot. Cut off the excess twine.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Establish climbing plants such as roses or vegetables to create a lush foliage cover for the arbor.
Wear eye protection when building natural arbors.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
