The Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi, beauty in imperfection, is an appropriate design parameter for the woodland garden. Using tree branches and tree trunks is a great way to build rustic features. Over President’s Day weekend, Andrew and I built a bridge and an arbor using a combination of wood from Home Depot and wood gathered from the yard.
In the center of the woodland garden is a natural spring. Not much water flows, unless we have very wet days. In late winter and spring the area is quite muddy, where the water seeps through the ground to join the small stream. In summer, this area is fairly dry, with no visible water. The paths we designed traverse the muddy area. A bridge was needed to both enable the water to flow when it is wet and to avoid walking in mud. A bridge is not only practical, it also provides a nice architectural feature in the garden.
Using pressure treated lumber, the framework of the bridge was assembled from 2×6″ lumber, with the deck of the bridge made of 2×4’s. Everything was fastened together using screws, instead of nails.
We assembled the framework and then attached thick tree trunks at each corner. Next we attached the deck boards. The bridge is resting on flat stones I found in the garden.
After attaching the deck boards, we found interesting branches and cut them to make a railing for the bridge. The X pattern of the railing is not just decorative, it also acts as a stabilizer for the posts. The bridge is practical and sturdy.
An arbor is a great addition to the woodland garden. It is a nice place to sit and enjoy the view. It is also a good place to plant vines.
We used tree trunks, from smaller trees cut down in the yard, to make the supports and cut branches to form the upper framework. They are not straight or even, providing nice quirky lines. The unique character of the supports presented some challenges for assembly.
The seat was assembled from pressure treated lumber from Home Depot. This was framed using 2×4’s and then 1×3″ boards were screwed on top. To reinforce the seat, I cut and attached tree branches in the corners and the center of the seat. The new wood will eventually age to a gray patina, blending in with the reclaimed wood.
Designing and building features for the woodland garden is rewarding. Working with reclaimed trees takes extra time and planning, but the results are worth the effort. I am looking forward to warmer days and the opportunity to sit and admire the garden.