Making a Tree Ring Seat – Preparation

Garden Bench, Lawn Ornament and Architectual Element All In One

May 27, 2009

For relatively little effort and cost you can add a functional bench and yard focal point.

Here's how to construct a hexagonal three-ring bench that wraps around the tree and includes a garden area between the bench and the tree. You can make other shapes or heights but will need to adjust the angles and amount of lumber you use. While making the ring bench is not a difficult project, it does take more directions than most projects. Because of this it will be broken up into more than one article.

Materials Needed:

3- 2" x 10" x 10' boards
18- landscape timbers
Hammer
Galvanized nails
Miter saw
Measure Tape
Pencil

Preparation of the Outer Ring

Using one landscape timber, measure 48" from one end and mark.
Cut the mark with the miter saw, making a 60-degree angle with the 48" mark as the longest measure. (If you cut outward from the mark you will go beyond 48" so always cut inward.)
On the straight end cut the board inward to a 60 degree angle opposite of the angle on the other end of the same board. You do not want the board to be the same lengths on both sides. It will be almost triangular in shape.
With the remainder of the board measure from the farthest point of the angle inward 48". Mark.
Cut the mark inward to a 60-degree angle.
Repeat with eight of the remaining landscape timbers.
You should have 18 pieces when done all measuring 48" at their longest point with 60 degree angles on each end pointing inward.

Preparation of the Inner Ring

Using one landscape timber, measure 42" from one end and mark.
Cut the mark with the miter saw making a 60-degree angle with the 42" mark as the longest measure. (If you cut outward from the mark you will go beyond 42" so always cut inward.)
On the straight end cut the board inward to a 60-degree angle opposite of the angle on the other end of the same board. You do not want the board to be the same lengths on both sides. It will be almost triangular in shape.
With the remainder of the board measure from the farthest point of the angle inward 42". Mark.
Cut the Mark inward to a 60-degree angle.
Repeat with eight of the remaining landscape timbers.
You should have 18 pieces when done all measuring 42" at their longest point with 60 degree angles on each end pointing inward.

Preparation of the Seat

Using your first 2" x 10" x 10' board, measure in from the end 48" and mark.
Cut the board at a 60 degree angle inward from the mark.
Trim the straight end to a 60-degree angle opposite the other end of the same piece to make a triangular shape.
Repeat with the remaining 2" x 10" x 10' boards until you have 6 pieces that will make up the seat.

Preparation of the Ground

Rarely is the ground anywhere perfectly even but even more so when you are working around trees due to the root growth. You do not have to even the ground if you have an interesting curve you want to maintain but keep in mind that it will be difficult working around anything but a flat ground. It will alter all of your angles and can make the inner ring and outer ring different heights.

You can even the ground by adding top soil, tamping it down and using a level. It is easy to skip this step as unimportant, but you will work much harder if you don't level first.

Making a Tree Ring Seat Part 2- Assembly

The copyright of the article Making a Tree Ring Seat – Preparation in Crafts is owned by Mary Welling-Bonney. Permission to republish Making a Tree Ring Seat – Preparation in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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