TRELLIS - directions to make garden decoration

Flower & Garden Magazine, May, 2001 by Mark Strom

This unique trellis can hide an unsightly wall, enhance an empty corner of your lawn, or create shade where there once was none. The unusual design is so easy to build that you'll probably want to make more than one!

* CUTTING LIST

CODE     DESCRIPTION     QTY.      MATERIAL       DIMENSIONS

A      Frame pieces        2    2 x 2 PT stock   96" long
B      Crosspieces         8    1 x 2 PT stock   48" long
C      Spacers             2    1 x 2 PT stock   48" long
D      Verticals           6    1 x 2 PT stock   96" long
E      Curved lattices     4    1 x 2 PT stock   48" long
F      Short spacers       4    1 x 2 PT stock   3" long
G      30" lattice         5    1 x 2 PT stock   30" long
H      18" lattice        16    1 x 2 PT stock   18" long
I      6" lattice         16    1 x 2 PT stock   6" long
J      10 3/4" lattice     2    1 x 2 PT stock   10 3/4" long
K      8" lattice          2    1 x 2 PT stock   8" long
L      Stakes              2    2 x 2 PT stock   72" long

* RECOMMENDED MATERIAL Pressure-treated pine or spruce

* RECOMMENDED FINISH Clear water sealer or exterior paint

* MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES 28 linear feet of 2 x 2 PT stock (Purchase this in two 2 x 2 x 8' pieces and two 2 x 2 x 6' pieces.)

168 linear feet of 1 x 2 PT stock (Purchase this in twenty-one 1 x 2 x 8' pieces.)

1 piece of cardboard, 24" x 24"

1 sheet of plywood (optional), 4' x 8'

* HARDWARE 486 3d finishing nails 32 6d finishing nails 12 3" decking screws

* ADDITIONAL TOOL Jigsaw or coping saw with a, fine blade

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Because this project consists of so many pieces, it's an exception to the "don't cut until you have to" rule. Start by cutting all the pieces from the 2 x 2 and 1 x 2 PT stock, cutting the longest pieces from the straightest stock. Apply the finish of your choice; then label each piece.

2. On each frame piece (A), measure up from the bottom and mark two lines, one at 17 1/4 inches and one at 44 1/4 inches. Measuring down from the top, mark each frame piece at 9 inches and at 26 1/4 inches. On the crosspieces (B), measure and mark 6 inches in from each end.

3. Position the frame pieces (A) parallel to each other. Place four crosspieces (B) across them, two with their lower edges at the 17 1/4-inch and 4 1/4-inch marks, and two with their upper edges at the 9-inch and 26 1/4-inch marks. Align the 6-inch marks on each crosspiece with the outer edge of each frame piece. Then fasten the crosspieces in place with three 3d finishing nails at each joint (All perpendicular pieces in this project are fastened in the same manner.)

4. Set one spacer (C), which won't be a part of the finished trellis, below the crosspiece (B) at the 9-inch mark, edge to edge, with its wide face down. Place another spacer below the crosspiece at the 26 1/4-inch mark. Then place a crosspiece below each spacer, edge to edge, leaving a 6-inch overlap at each end again. Fasten the two crosspieces to the frame pieces (A) and remove the spacers.

5. Set one spacer (C) above the crosspiece (B) at the 17 1/4-inch mark and another above the crosspiece at the 44 1/4-inch mark. Then place a crosspiece above each spacer, fasten the crosspieces as before, and remove the spacers.

6. Turn the assembly over so the frame pieces (A) face up.

7. Measure and mark each attached crosspiece (B) 3 inches out from the outer edge of each frame piece (A).

8. Position a vertical (D) on the assembly, with its inner edge at one set of the 3-inch marks on the crosspieces (B). Position a second vertical on the other side of the assembly, aligning it with the 3-inch marks on the crosspieces on that side. Adjust both verticals so their ends are aligned with the ends of the frame pieces (A). Then nail both verticals in place.

9. Place a spacer (C), wide face down, against the inner edge of each frame piece (A). Then place a vertical (D) with its outer edge against each spacer's inner edge. Adjust the verticals so their top ends are 1 inch taller than the ends of the frame pieces. (Their top ends will be 10 inches above the topmost crosspiece (B).) Nail both verticals in place, and remove the spacers.

10. Measuring in from the inner edge of each vertical (D) that you attached in step 9, mark each crosspiece (B) at 10 inches.

11. Position the two remaining verticals (D) with their outer edges at the 10-inch marks on the crosspieces (B), which will leave about 4 inches between these center verticals. Position them so that their top ends are 12 inches above the topmost crosspiece. Nail these Verticals in place.

12. Turn the assembly over again, so the crosspieces (B) are facing up.

13. Place the short spacers (F) on edge on the two middle verticals (D), with one end of each against the top crosspiece (B). Lay a curved lattice (E) on edge across the verticals (D), against the short spacers. The ends of the curved lattice should line up with the ends of the crosspieces.

14. Place a scrap of 1 x 2 under the verticals (D) to support them while drilling and nailing. Bore a 3/32-inch pilot hole through the edge of the curved lattice (E) toward the center of each of the two middle verticals. Drive a 6d finish nail through each of these holes into the middle verticals. Use a nail set to sink the nails deeper.