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Build A Tree Seat
Level of difficulty: Intermediate

Make your backyard more inviting by adding cozy seating that frames your tree and allows you to enjoy its shade. This seat is easy to make but you do need to make a plan. These instructions give you simple formulas so that you can construct the right size seat to fit your tree.

This is a basic design that can be enhanced by your own embellishments. You can paint or stain it any color, or colors, that you want. Stencil ivy, or another design, onto the legs or add your own back for the seat. These are just a few ideas that you can use. Imagine the kind of seat that you want and make it happen.


	Tip:

		Paint the seat a bright white. This allows the seat to show up beneath the tree's foliage, highlighting your tree and backyard.

Formula:

(a) Distance between legs: width of tree + 8 inches (4 inches on each side) (b) Length of 4 crossbars (each run from front of tree to back of tree):width of tree + 38 inches (6-inch overhang, 8-inch tree space and 24 inches for seats) (c) Length of 8 long slats (makes seat in front and behind): 3 times distance between legs (3 spaces between the 4 legs) + 10 inches (2-inch overhang, 2-inch crossbar width, 6 inches for legs) (d) Length of short slats (makes seat at right and left): distance between 2 legs (a) + 5 1/2 inches (2-inch overhang, 2 inches for 2 crossbars, 1 1/2-inch leg width) (e) Number of short slats to make seat at right and left: width of tree + 8 inches (4 inches on each side of tree),take the sum, divide by 3 (round to nearest whole number), this is number of slats per seat, multiply by 2 to get number of slats for both sides

Tools and Materials you need:

Shovel 8 stakes Sandpaper Block sander Wood preservative Scalpings or gravel Concrete Saw 8 legs of soft wood like pine or cedar (1 1/2 inches by 3 inches; 27-inches long) Level Miscellaneous planks to use as braces 4 crossbars of soft wood (1 inch by 2 inches; determine length by formula) 8 long slats of soft wood (1 inch by 2 inches; determine length by formula) Use formula to determine number of short slats of soft wood (1 inch by 2 inches; determine length by formula) Electric drill with screwdriver attachment Hammer or screwdriver 2-inch nails or screws 1-inch spacers Paint or stain


	Tip:

		If you have a steep slant around your tree, you need to make the legs longer so that you have the extra length to make the seat level.

Step 1. Plan and Dig Leg Holes

		Plan where the legs are going to be to make sure that the seat is centered around the tree. The legs should be about 13 inches away from the tree, 4 on each of 2 sides. Again, the formula to find the distance between the legs is the width of the tree plus 8 inches. Mark on the ground where the legs go. Dig holes for each leg. Holes should be 7-inches deep, 3 1/2-inches wide and 5-inches long.


	Tip:

		Use stakes to mark the positions of your legs.

Step 2. Concrete Legs into Position

		Sand all the wood pieces until they are smooth. Apply wood preservative on all surfaces. Lay about 2 inches of scalpings or gravel in the bottom of each hole. Center the legs into the hole until about 5 inches of the leg is submerged. Pour the concrete into the holes. Place a slat across the 4 legs and put the level on top of the slat. Push the legs up or down until the slat is made level. Use the level to make sure the legs are vertical. Brace each leg with two planks. Check the level of the slat and the legs every so often as the concrete hardens. Wait until the concrete completely hardens before you move on, about a day.


	Tip:

		Before setting in concrete, use a block plane and curve the edges on the legs. You can also curve the edges of the slats so that the seat is smoother.

Step 3. Attach Crossbars

		Nail or screw the four crossbars from a front leg to a back leg, positioned so that the 1-inch side is face up. Allow a 3-inch overhang on each side. The top of the leg should be level with the top of the crossbar. The 2 crossbars to the right of the tree should be on the right sides of the legs. The 2 crossbars to the left of the tree should be on the left sides of the legs.


	Tip:

		Predrill holes into the wood. This makes the nails or screws go in faster and easier. Drill holes about 1/2 inch deep to start.

Step 4. Nail the Front Seat

		Place the long slat so that the 2-inch side is facing up. Position the first slat so that it is flush on the crossbar overhang. Make sure you leave a 1-inch overhang on the right and left sides. Nail or screw the slat onto the crossbars. Continue with the next slat making sure that you leave 1 inch in between. The seat is 12 inches so you should use about 4 slats.


	Tip:

		Cut 4 little pieces off of the 1-inch by 2-inch piece of wood. Use these as your spacers between slats. Position the first slat and nail or screw in place, then put one spacer on each crossbar so that you get the 1-inch space. Position and nail the second slat in place. Move the spacers so that they are after the second slat. Use this procedure to place all the slats so you are sure of a 1-inch space between each slat.

Step 5. Attach Side Seats

Place the short slat so that there is 1 inch between it and the long slat. This short slat should only reach across two crossbars and leave a 1-inch overhang on each side. Nail or screw it into place. Continue placing the short slats, making sure that there is a 1-inch space in between, until you have used half of your short slats. Repeat this procedure on the other side.

Step 6. Finish Seat

Now work from the back side of the seat forward. Position the first slat so that it is flush on the crossbar overhang that is behind the tree. Make sure you leave the 1-inch overhang on the right and left sides. Nail or screw the slat onto the crossbars. Continue with the next slat making sure that you leave 1 inch in between the slats. Repeat until all the slats are gone. You should now have a 12-inch seat on the other side of the tree. Paint or stain the seat.