Adults and children appreciate having plenty of seating areas in and near their playspace. Benches encourage adult supervision when placed in close proximity to the playground equipment. A tree bench also encourages a sense of community by creating a designated area for neighbors to gather together under a tree’s natural shade. If you have small to medium sized trees near your playground this may be the bench for you!
Materials & Tools
Materials | Quantity |
---|---|
2x6x12' boards | 2 |
2x6x10' boards | 2 |
2x4x8' board | 1 |
4x4x8' board | 1 |
2 ½" deck screws | 2lbs |
½"x8" galvanized screws | 6 |
½" galvanized washers | 6 |
½" galvanized nuts | 6 |
Tools needed |
---|
Miter saw |
Pencil |
Tape measure |
Carpenter's square |
Safety glasses |
Drill |
½" long drill bit |
Screwdriver bit |
Hammer |
Preparation Instructions
-
Sort all materials into piles by like items to ensure you have materials needed to complete project.
-
Take the [2] 2x6x12' boards. Cut each down to [3] 43" pieces, for a total of [6] 2x6x43" pieces.
-
Take the [2] 2x6x10' boards. Cut each down to [3] 2x6x36 ½" pieces, for a total of [6] 2x6x36 ½" pieces.
-
Take the 2x4x8' board. Cut into [12] 2x4x8" pieces. Because of saw blade width and variances in lumber length, your [12] pieces may not be exactly 8" long. This is fine.
-
Take the 4x4x8' board. Cut into [6] 4x4x16" lengths.
-
Angled Cuts:
- Take the [6] 2x4x43" pieces. Set the miter saw to a 30° angle and cut off the angle on both sides of the wood to create [6] 2x6x43" trapezoids.
- Take the [6] 2x6x36 ½" pieces. Set the miter saw to a 30° angle and cut off the angle on both sides of the wood to create [6] 2x6x36 ½" trapezoids.
- Take the [6] 2x4x43" pieces. Set the miter saw to a 30° angle and cut off the angle on both sides of the wood to create [6] 2x6x43" trapezoids.
Build Instructions
-
Inventory and sort all of your materials.
-
Attach the 2x4x8" braces to the legs. Place(2) 2x4x8" on either side of one end of each 4x4x16" perpendicularly (creating a "T" shape).
Be sure the long sides of the 2x4s are flush with the edge of the 4x4s. Use [3] 2 ½" screws on each side to secure the braces in place.
Then, use the ½" drill bit to drill a hole through all three pieces of wood and place an 8" carriage bolt in the center of the joint using 1 washer and 1 nut.
-
Repeat the same process for the remaining 2x4x8" pieces and the 4x4x16" pieces. You should have a total of 6 "T-shaped" legs.
-
Take all six 2x6x43" trapezoids and lay them on the ground so that they create a ring.
-
Take all six 2x6x36 ½" trapezoids and lay them on the ground on the inside of the outer ring.
-
Place one of the legs at each of the six joints where the trapezoids meet. Use the 2 ½" screws to attach the legs to the trapezoid. NOTE: Be sure to leave one side unattached until after you've placed the bench around the tree!
-
Carry the Tree Bench to the tree you'll be placing the bench around, place it around the tree, and attach the final side of the bench.