If you live in a wooded area or recently cut down an unwanted tree, you probably have a large supply of tree branches. While at first glance the branches might appear useless, you can use them to liven up your yard by making a rustic garden arbor. Arbors work well to define the transition between different areas of your property and can also provide cooling shade if you train climbing vines to grow within the branch framework. You'll need 3-inch-diameter branches to create a sturdy foundation, 2-inch-diameter branches to finish the basic framework and smaller branches to decorate the arbor frame.
Assembling the Sides
Strip any secondary branches from four 3-inch-diameter, 7-foot-long branches, leaving four straight poles. You can cut larger branches with lopping shears, clip off branches less than 1 inch in diameter with bypass pruners, or use a pocket knife to strip very small branches from the main branch.
Lay two of the 7-foot branches on a flat work surface, spaced 4 feet apart from outside edge to outside edge. Measure the distance at the top, bottom and middle of the branches to ensure even spacing throughout.
Measure the space between the two posts and cut two 2-inch-diameter branches to this length. The distance should be about 3 1/2 feet, but because branch size may vary slightly, you must measure the actual distance to ensure a good fit.
Place one of the 2-inch-diameter branches between the 3-inch-diameter posts, positioned 12 inches from the bottom of the posts. Position the second 2-inch branch about 3 1/2 feet above and parallel to the lower branch to form a square. Screw these branches in place with 4-inch wood screws inserted at an angle; use two screws for each intersecting point on the branches.
Cut 1- to 2-inch diameter branches to fit inside the square. Place them vertically with 4 inches between each branch. Screw the vertical pieces to the horizontal branches with 3-inch wood screws.
Make a second identical structure for the other side of the branch arbor. Choose branches that are as close to the same size as possible so the arbor is balanced.
Assembling the Top
Cut eight 2-inch-diameter branches to 4-foot lengths for the top piece of the arbor.
Lay four 2-inch-diameter, 4-foot-long branches on a flat surface to form a square. Connect the four sides with 4-inch wood screws, using at least two screws at each intersection.
Form a pyramid on top of the square with the remaining four branch pieces. Extend each piece from one corner of the square and lean them so they meet in the center of the square. Screw these branches to the branches in the square base and at the tip of the pyramid; recruit a helper and work with the branches until you complete the pyramid.
Fill in the open spaces -- four equilateral triangles -- in the pyramid top with 1-inch diameter or smaller branch pieces in a pattern of your choice. You can arrange straight branches in a sunburst pattern, lay branches horizontally, or weave twisting, contorted branches to lend a more whimsical appearance to the arbor.
Assembling the Structure
Lay the pyramid top on its side on flat ground, then hold one of the arbor sides to line up with the top. Secure the side poles to the square top with 4-inch wood screws. Repeat with the other side of the arbor.
Cut eight 12-inch cross braces from 2-inch diameter branches and screw them in place diagonally in each corner where a vertical post meets the arbor top.
Stand the structure upright and rock it gently to determine its steadiness. If more support is needed, screw 2-inch-diameter branches in an X pattern within the square base of the arbor top.
Fill in the empty spaces on the arbor sides with additional 1-inch branches, if desired; you added vertical branches to the lower 3 1/2 feet of the arbor, but the sides remain open above the 2-inch-diameter horizontal branches. You can leave the space empty so the horizontal branches look like hand rails, but additional branches are needed if you plan to train vines on the structure.
Dig four 10-inch deep, 4-by-4-inch post holes, spaced 4 feet apart to form a square. Add 4 inches of crushed rock to the holes and pack it tightly with the flat end of a digging bar to improve drainage away from the posts. Set the arbor posts in the post holes and fill in the holes with soil.
Things You Will Need
- Measuring tape
- Lopping shears
- Bypass pruners
- Pocket knife
- 4-inch wood screws
- Power drill
- 3-inch wood screws
- Post-hole diggers
- Digging bar
- You can use dry wood or green wood to build this arbor, but dry wood is prone to cracking when you insert screws. You can prevent cracking by drilling pilot holes in the branches before driving the screws into place; use a drill bit one size smaller than the diameter of the screws.
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