More Upcycled Trellises

This past spring, a cluster of dead Staghorn Sumac trees needed to be removed, and rather than haul them all away, I turned some of them into a useful trellis.

I  built the trellis using the same techniques as I used to make this pergola:

https://betsyblissart.blogspot.com/2024/06/from-drawing-to-reality.html

Right away, the birds seemed comfortable perching on the "new" trellis, like this Mockingbird who took a quick bath in the nearby fountain before landing to dry his feathers in the sunshine.

Here's a short video of the finished garden area with the trellis and the fountain running.

What could you make with sticks?  

Upcycling takes more time than simply buying something new, but reusing cast-off supplies lets you use your imagination and creativity.  

And it saves you tons of money!  

And you end up with something unique and special.

Happy Creating!

Copyright Betsy Bangley 2024.  All rights reserved.

From Drawing to Reality

This pergola began as a sketch.  

A large cluster of Staghorn Sumac trees that grew around my home recently died, and we were left with a small forest of bare sticks. The wonky-looking limbs and trunks intrigued me to do something artful with my old tree friends.

I sketched and painted my idea, and tucked it into my nature journal along with a sketch of another project.

Having a sketch helps you to think about how you want to build your project.  

It helps you communicate your idea to anyone who will help you.

And it's fun!

My husband pounded 4 T-posts into the ground to support my wonky trellis, and I did the rest -- 

sawing the dead trees into lengths with my bow saw; 

zip-tying the uprights to the T-posts; and 

screwing limbs together with old drywall screws.

I wouldn't climb on this trellis, but it's strong enough to hold a solar lantern and a basket of flowers.

Copyright Betsy Bangley 2024. All rights reserved