Cedar Fence Picket Trellis
Build this stunning cedar trellis in under an hour using just 2 fence pickets! 🪵✨
The process is incredibly simple. All you need is a jigsaw, a square, and a hammer (or a pin nailer if you want to speed things up).
PRO TIP: When picking out your cedar pickets, avoid any boards with large knots where the wood needs to bend. Bending the rails creates stress, and a knot is exactly where the wood will snap!
Step 1: Cut the dogear off the end of both pickets. I cut mine right at the miter, but choose whatever length works best for you.
Step 2: Rip the remaining picket into 1″ strips. For this I used my BORA 96″ straight edge to ensure perfectly straight cuts. Then take the second picket and rip a 2″ strip. Once that is completed, cut that strip into the following pieces. You will need two 5″, one 14″ and one 24″ piece.
Step 3: Line up the 5 rails and ensure they are flush at the end. You will then pin nail the two 5″ pieces. The first flush with the end, the second 6″ from the end. This will create your base for the trellis.
Step 4: The 14″ piece is located 38″ from the end. Nail the middle rail, making sure the piece is parallel to the bottom 5″ pieces.
Once the middle rail is secure, carefully bend the outer rails until the tip is flush with the end of the middle crossbar. Using pin nails secure the outer rails.
Secure the remaining two rails aligning them midway between the center and outer rails using pin nails.
Step 5: Repeat the steps from the middle crossbar for the top of the trellis. Place the top crossbar at 63″ from the bottom.
Your stunning new cedar trellis is officially complete!
To lock mine into place, I use a lightweight 36″ garden T-post and some simple baling wire. Want a pro-tip to stretch your budget? You can easily craft two complete garden trellises using just three cedar fence pickets!
I have added a printable how-to for this project in the shop. Head over and download your free plans.
Drop a comment below: What climbing plants are you growing on your trellis this season?
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