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DIY: Make a Rustic Garden Bench With Tree Branches and Logs

Chain Saw, Garden Bench, Tree Removal

Every time a storm blows through my neighborhood, old trees are knocked down. If everyone is fortunate, the tree falls in the yard and misses people, cars and homes. Sometimes, fortune does not smile on neighborhoods.

As tree removal companies and those with chainsaws go to work removing the debris, I noticed one neighbor asking a tree removal company to cut certain branches and logs to specific lengths. He wanted to keep those particular pieces of wood.

Intrigued, I walked over and just had to ask. His explanation reminded me of outdoor furniture I’d seen in my childhood. In national parks, huge logs were carved into benches and other items. I remembered marveling at the work that must have been involved.

As a teenager, I worked with the YCC, also known as the Youth Conservation Corps. We built trails and fences near North Twin Rivers in Southern Nevada. To the best of my knowledge, these trails still exist.

This article combines what I know about building with logs from the YCC.

To build a rustic bench, you will need:

  • · Several logs, 8 to 10″ in diameter
  • ·(for removing bark)
  • · Wood sealer

Step One:

Decide where you want to have your bench and gather the logs. Set them on wooden pallets and allow them to dry completely. This can take a couple of months. You do not want to use green wood, as it has a tendency to split and crack if worked too early.

The bench can be built directly on top of the soil, on brick pavers, concrete base or other type of base.

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While the logs are drying, draw up plans for your bench.

Step Two:

When the logs have dried, remove the bark. Smooth logs may not require this step. Use the bark in the garden around the base of shrubs and other trees.

The following plans are for a simple bench. You can modify these plans to meet any design you wish.

Cut 24 sections of logs, each 36″ long. Mark 12″ in from each end, and another 8″ from that mark (this assumes 8″ logs). Make the marks match on both sides, directly across from each other.

Set the logs on a stable work surface and secure in place. Using the circular or chain saw (a hand saw works too, just slower), make cut several cuts within the marks, each no more than 1/3 the depth of the log. This would be about 2″ to 2.5″ on an 8″ log.

There are two ways to remove the wood in the cuts. The first is to bang away with the rubber mallet, but this is a dangerous practice. The best (and slowest) method is to use the wood chisel. Using a rubber mallet in the YCC, we saw wood chips fly dozens of yards with enough speed to hurt someone.

Step Three:

Set the logs on a level surface and make two squares, similar to stacking Lincoln logs with the two squares no more than 48″ apart (measured from the outside of the squares).

They will be stacked 3 logs high in each square. The outside logs . The four logs pointing towards you should be at the highest points. The seat logs will rest on these logs.

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Step Four:

Cut four or five logs, each 60″ long. Set them on the squares and space them evenly. Turn the logs so the most even seating is achieved. Mark where each log comes in contact with the logs in the squares. You are going to be cutting notches in the seat logs and in the squares logs so each fits into each other.

Take your time with this step.

When the most level seating has been achieved, you are ready to use the bench.

It is important to note that this bench uses logs locked onto each other with notches. You can certainly apply construction adhesive for added security, or attach the logs to each other with long decking screws or dowels.

Step Five:

Paint the bench with one or two coats of wood sealer.

Once the sealer is dry, enjoy your new bench.

Any number of plant holders, benches, arbors and more can be made with this method. It fits into any garden scheme with grace and style.

Source: The author of this article has over 40 years of experience in diverse forms of DIY, home improvement and repair, crafting, designing, and building furniture, outdoor projects and more.