Build a Bamboo Trellis

All You Need

Band saw or jigsaw
Sawhorses
Clamps
Circular saw
Tape measure
Drill
Pencil
10 to 12 bamboo poles, each about 2 inches in diameter, 8 feet long, and with minimal taper
Galvanized or plastic-coated 1/16-inch wire (sold in 100-foot spools)
Eight 2-inch deck screws or stainless-steel screws

Step-by-Step

Start Building

1. Cut each bamboo pole in half lengthwise with a band saw. Cut each piece in half lengthwise again. (If you started with 10 bamboo poles, you will have 40 bamboo quarters.) If you're using a portable jigsaw, clamp the bamboo securely to sawhorses for cutting. Sight while cutting to stay in the center of the bamboo. If you have neither tool or are uncomfortable cutting the bamboo poles yourself, have a local woodworking shop cut them for a fee.

2. Set aside four 8-foot-long bamboo quarters for frame rails. Select two of the remaining bamboo quarters; with a circular saw, cut each into two 3-foot-long pieces for vertical frame rails and one 2-foot-long piece for a shorter strip.

Construct the Frame

3. Arrange two 3-foot and two 8-foot bamboo quarters in a rectangle, laying the pieces flat on the ground with ends overlapping to create the frame back. Atop this assembly, arrange the remaining 3-foot and 8-foot bamboo quarters to make the frame front.

4. Drill a 1/8-inch hole through the ends of each piece where they intersect at the corners. Connect all eight frame pieces by tying the corners with wire. At this point, the frame will be slightly loose at the corners. Measure diagonally from corner to corner both ways, and adjust rectangle until the diagonal measurements match each other.

Add the Latticework

5. Cut the remaining 8-foot bamboo quarters into 4-foot strips. Insert several of them diagonally into the frame from top to bottom, letting the ends extend just past the frame rails. Space them as desired (in our example, the strips are about 6 inches apart), and insert them between the front and rear frames so the slight tension will keep them in place for now. Near the corners, cut additional bamboo strips to shorter rough lengths, and insert them parallel to the full-length diagonals.

6. Repeat the previous steps, laying diagonal pieces in the opposite direction, to complete the latticework. Thread each piece above and below every second diagonal section already in place, as if weaving a basket. The ends of the opposing diagonals should intersect each other and the frame rails. Drill 1/8-inch holes at these intersecting points, and wire the layers of bamboo to each other.. As you add each bamboo piece, the unit will become more and more sturdy. Everything should be evenly spaced and at the same angle so all of the pieces come together correctly.

Attach to Fence

7. When strips are wired in place, place trellis against fence. Drill evenly spaced holes through the frame, then fasten frame to fence with screws.