A Wrap-Around Tree Bench

Landscape designer Scott Soden of Artscapes designs the bench to be supported on the ground without any posts, holes or piers, taking care to not damage the root system. He also adds a pathway along the deck front and to the tree to lead visitors to the bench and to tie it in with the deck. He recommends avoiding trees that shed fruit, which would mess up a bench. Tree benches can take a variety of styles and forms. Keep in mind that most trees are not perfectly round; the tree's contour dictates the shape of a bench.

Soden estimates that a professional would charge about $1,200 for the design, materials, and installation of a tree bench, but do-it-yourselfers can buy the materials for only $300. This project is rated a 3 on a difficulty scale of 1 (easy) to 5 (difficult), primarily because of the angles to cut. It can be completed in two weekends.

Step One: Preparing for the Path

Remove any shrubs, rocks and other debris from around the tree. Use a rake to gently break up the soil, being careful to avoid the roots. Using a tape measurer and landscapers' spray paint, measure and mark out the path leading to and around the tree. For this project, a 4-foot-wide course runs along the front of the deck and over to the tree.

Use recycled plastic 2x4 benderboard to outline the path and tree area. Available for about $20 for a 10-foot piece at home supply stores, benderboard is very durable and flexible and conforms to any shape you want.

Step Two: Filling in the Path

Soden chose a finely pulverized gray rock, which compacts well, allows water and air through to roots, and doesn't track onto other areas. Gray fines rock is available for about $50 per 100 square feet.

Cover the path and under the tree with landscape fabric (about $20 for a 75-foot roll) to prevent weeds. Simply unroll the fabric, cut it to shape and size, and secure it to the ground with landscape pins.

Pour in the crushed rock and rake it out level with the top of the edging. Pack it down with a hand tamper (figure C) to form a sturdy surface. Then go over the surface with a water-filled roller (figure D) for a smooth finish. Figure E shows the completed pathway.

To support the bench without disturbing the tree roots, Soden builds eight 16 1/2- by 15-inch rectangular skids out of 2x6 boards. He uses pressure-treated lumber because it will be in contact with the ground, which could cause rot.Use a miter saw to cut 45-degree angles into the ends of the planks so that they will join together perfectly (figure F). Attach the corners with two 2 1/2-inch deck screws on each side. Assemble eight skids to support the bench seat.

Soden uses redwood for the bench seat because it's durable, weathers well, and matches the existing deck. The octagonal bench is built in eight sections. Each section is graduated in length, with three 2x6 pieces that increase in length in 4 1/2-inch increments--from 14 1/2 inches long closest to the tree to 28 inches long at the outer perimeter. Figure G shows the bench diagram.

Use a miter saw to cut all the boards to length, with a 22 1/2 degree angle on each end so they'll fit into the octagonal shape.

Step Five: Assembling the Bench

Continue building the bench around the tree, making sure that each panel is flush with the ones next to it before attaching it with deck screws. To give the bench a finished look, attach a fascia (figure J) to the front of the bench using 2x6 redwood planks.

Planting: A Tree Bench

Soden places an assortment of colorful containers on some of the bench panels and fills them with vivid annuals. He adds shrubs and blooming plants to the planting bed behind the bench too. His planting plan includes:

• Pink breath of heaven (Coleonema pulchrum), Zone 11
  
• Common camellia (Camellia japonica), Zones 7-8
  
• Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii), Zone 11