Trellises are lattice structures commonly used in gardens and outdoor spaces to support climbing plants. They allow vining plants like roses, grapes, jasmine and honeysuckle to grow upwards rather than across the ground. Wooden trellises are a classic choice that add both function and beauty to any outdoor space.
What is a Wooden Trellis?
A wooden trellis is a lightweight framed structure made of wood that is placed against a wall or fence to support and train climbing plants. Wooden trellises have a series of parallel bars or slats of wood that form a lattice pattern. They provide climbing plants and vines with both physical support and directional guidance to grow upwards.
Wooden trellises come in many shapes and sizes, from small single panels to long, connected structures that can span dozens of feet. They are commonly made from durable, weather-resistant woods like cedar, redwood, cypress or pressure-treated pine. These woods can stand up to outdoor conditions and last for many years.
Benefits of Using a Wooden Trellis
Wooden trellises offer many benefits for gardens:
| Direct Growth | The latticework design directs the growth of vining plants vertically rather than horizontally across the ground or sprawling in all directions. This helps keep plant growth neat, contained and up off the ground. |
| Air Circulation | The open lattice design allows air to freely circulate around plants, helping to prevent mold, mildew and other plant diseases. |
| Space Saving | Training vines to grow vertically saves a tremendous amount of garden space. It prevents aggressive vines like grapes, kiwi or climbing roses from taking over a garden. |
| Aesthetic Appeal | Wooden trellises add a very pleasing visual element and strong vertical lines to gardens and landscaping. The sight of flowering vines growing up wooden structures is quintessentially beautiful. |
| Easy Attachment | The latticework of wooden trellises offers plenty of attachment points to securely anchor climbing vines with plant ties or clips as they grow skyward. |
Common Types of Wooden Trellises
Wooden trellises come in many different shapes and designs. Some of the most popular styles include:
Trellis Panels
Trellis panels are flat, usually rectangular structures with square lattice patterns of crossing wood slats. These individual panels commonly measure 2 to 4 feet wide and up to 8 feet tall. They can stand alone, mount to walls or connect together.
Arbors
An arbor is a short tunnel framework that allows passage underneath. Wooden arbors feature open latticework on the sides and are often used as garden entryways. They may stand alone or anchor against walls. Popular plants for arbors include climbing roses, grape vines, wisteria and clematis.
Obelisks
Obelisk trellises have a tall, slender pyramid shape pointing up at the sky. Thinner at the base and wider higher up, they allow for different sized vines as they gain height. Obelisks are ideal for training pole beans, flowering vines and small fruiting vines like kiwi.
Espaliers
Espalier trellises have wood framework with tiered levels running horizontally rather than vertically. They are used to train fruit trees and ornamental shrubs to grow flat in specific, often symmetrical patterns.
Tunnels & Pergolas
These very large, tall trellis structures use wooden columns and overhead crossbeams to create long tunnels or passageways. Heavy vines with abundant growth like grapes or wisteria are often grown over the top to create shady green tunnels.
Choosing Wood for Trellises
The optimal wood choice depends on whether the trellis will be used for decorative, edible or productive plants. The following woods are best for different uses:
Cedar & Redwood: With natural rot, weather and insect resistance, aromatic softwoods like cedar and redwood are great choices for ornamental trellises and any outdoor use. Redwood needs no finish or just clear sealants.
Cypress & Teak: Also naturally durable and resistant, cypress and teak make exceptional hardwoods for trellises meant to last decades without maintenance, especially in hot, humid, wet climates. These tropical woods have beautiful grains.
Bamboo: For the ultimate sustainability, bamboo is possibly the best wooden trellis material. Extremely strong and naturally pest and rot resistant, bamboo is also quite light yet durable over time. It requires no chemical treatment or finishing.
Pressure-Treated Woods: For edible gardens, pressure-treated pine, fir or spruce are safer, budget wood choices. The treatment chemicals protect the wood from decay for decades while posing minimal food safety risks. Always give new pressure-treated trellises time to weatherize before growing edible plants.
Design & Construction of Wooden Trellises
Building a wooden trellis is a very approachable DIY carpentry project for most homeowners, requiring only basic tools and materials. The primary design considerations include:
Wood Selection
- Choose woods suitable for the plants, outdoor conditions, and expected trellis lifespan.
- Decide between natural or pressure-treated woods.
Trellis Size & Shape
- Match the mature size of the vines to be grown to the trellis size and form.
- Very large, vigorous vines demand substantial trellising with tall, wide openings and sturdy wood frames adequate for the eventual plant size and weight.
Site Conditions & Location
- Assess the trellis location, especially sun exposure, wind dynamics, soils, and drainage.
- Determine any needs for mounting, anchoring, or footings to keep the structure secure and stable over time.
Weather Resistance
- Use durable, weather-resistant wood, hardware, and construction methods for longevity without rotting, warping, or other decay.
- Utilize wood preservatives, stains, sealants, or finishes as needed for further protection.
Aesthetic Qualities
- Tailor the visual character of wooden trellises by wood type, finish, color, lattice spacing, verticality, and other ornamental touches to match the overall garden style
Easy Access
- Design the trellis to allow for easy access inside the structure and around the plants for planting, pruning, harvesting food crops, and seasonal maintenance.
Structural Components of Wooden Trellises
Posts
- Vertical wood posts provide foundational support for anchoring the trellis securely into the ground while bearing the weight and tension of mature vining plants pulling on the structure.
Crossbeams
- Horizontal wood framing crossing between the vertical posts adds lateral strength to withstand outward pressure from plant growth pulling on the trellis.
Latticework
- Thin wood laths, strips, or slats fastened across the frames in vertical, horizontal, or diagonal directions form the classic open lattice patterns for vine climbing and attachment.
Hardware & Fasteners
- Use weather-resistant screws, nails, bolts, washers, poles, reinforcing brackets, and other durable hardware in galvanized steel, aluminum, or other noncorrosive metals to assemble and anchor the trellis securely.
Installing a Wooden Trellis
Once constructed, wooden trellises must be installed properly for safety, security and longevity. Key installation steps include:
Locate & Prepare Site
Clear the area of weeds, sod, rocks and level it if needed before placing the trellis. Ensure at least 12 inches of space along each side. Mark spots for vertical posts and any footings or anchors required if securing to walls or posts.
Anchor Posts
Bury vertical 4×4 posts 1 to 2 feet into soil or concrete for freestanding trellises. Use metal anchors to affix posts to walls if espaliering flat against buildings. Set depth to below the frost line if in cold climates.
Crossbeams & Framing
Working from the ground up, secure horizontal cross beams between vertical posts with galvanized brackets and wood screws to create entire frames. Complete all reinforcing framing.
Lattice & Hardware
Cut and attach wood laths in desired patterns across frames with screws or weatherproof nails. Trim and finish lattice ends neatly with boards or hanging strips if needed.
Seal & Protect
Seal all cut wood ends with wax emulsion. Consider applying wood sealants/finishes like polyurethane or wood preservative stains for enhanced weather resistance if the wood type isn’t naturally durable enough.
Time to Weatherize
Give newly installed pressure-treated wooden trellises several weeks to air out and for surface chemicals to break down before growing edible plants.
Maintaining a Wooden Trellis
While wooden trellises are quite durable, some periodic maintenance is required to maximize their longevity and keep them functioning at their best supporting productive vines.
- Inspect Annually: Check over the entire trellis each year before the growing season begins. Look for any winter damage, plant overgrowth issues, signs of rot, loose hardware, etc. Perform any necessary repairs.
- Manage Vines: Properly prune back vines each winter to prevent growth from taking over the structure. Remove deadwood and nonproductive stems on fruiting varieties. Thin overly dense growth allowing light and air to penetrate.
- Clean & Sanitize: Disinfect the trellis occasionally by spraying with bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) before allowing vines to releaf out. This prevents disease carryover issues.
- Seal Exposed Wood: Use clear wood sealants to protect any wood surfaces exposed from peeling finish or vines removed for rejuvenation or replacement.
- Strengthen Attachments: Improve hardware attachments like post anchors, crossbeam joints, lattice fasteners. Add more ties or clips for loose vines. Reinforce and refortify any weak points identified.
- Prepare for Weather Extremes: In windy climates, consider removing mature vine growth entirely before winter to prevent whip damage. Remove vines from arbors to prevent heavy snow collapse.
- Check Level & Plumb: Ensure the trellis remains vertically plumb and post tops relatively level over time. Refasten footings or adjust ground slope if the structure leans or connections settle.
Repairing a Wooden Trellis
Even with proper maintenance, wooden trellises may occasionally need repairs from significant damage due to severe storms, overly aggressive vines, pests or simple age and decay over longer periods.
Some common trellis repairs include:
| Replacing Broken Latticework | Remove and replace broken, rotted or missing lath strips. Match original size or upgrade wood type for greater durability. |
| Reinforcing Posts | Add shelving brackets, knee braces or additional posts to shore up leaning, loosened or wobbly main vertical posts. |
| Securing Loose Joints & Beams | Refasten any loose bolts, gussets, angle clips, nails and other hardware connectors throughout the trellis. Replace severely compromised wood as well. |
| Removing Harmful Vines | Cut away unwanted vines like poison ivy or invasive species that can damage the structure. Replace with beneficial vines instead. |
| Applying Preservative Finishes | Restore weathered gray wood and improve decay resistance by cleaning surface grime and applying penetrating stabilizing sealants. |
| Replacing Decayed Wood Sections | Cut out and swap any rot damaged wood posts, crossbeams, lattice panels or other components with new treated lumber, properly realigning and refastening. |
With attentive care and some occasional minor refurbishing when needed, quality wooden trellises can enhance gardens for 15-25 years or more while requiring far less maintenance than the vines they support.
Decorative Uses for Wooden Trellises
In addition to conventional garden use for supporting vining plants, wooden trellis structures lend themselves to various decorative applications:
Fencing & Screens
Connect multiple trellis panels together as attractive garden fencing or privacy screening. The lattices softly diffuse views.
Art Installations
Paint over plain wooden trellises with vibrant colors or creative patterns. Lean trellises together in unique shapes as stand-alone art pieces.
Mural Backdrops
Trellises make wonderful backdrops for hanging colorful mosaic tiles, glass bottles, seashells, mirrors or touchable texture panels to create living murals.
Craft Projects
Personalize small trellises for plant stand decor. Make one-of-a-kind signs or wall hangings by adding paint, carvings, stencils and found object embellishments.
Fairy Houses
Adorn miniature trellis panels with mini furniture, hobby terrain and fairy figurines to form the start of an elaborate fairy garden scene.
Architectural Accents
Affix wooden obelisks, panels and arbors with ornamental vines onto buildings, patios, gazebos and other structures to infuse visual interest.
Let creativity lead when repurposing wooden trellises as crafty decor elements beyond basic plant support uses. Any sturdy trellis structure with character offers possibilities as the foundation for all kinds of original folk art or interactive installations around the landscape. Not stuck in the vegetable patch, they can cast garden magic around yards.
Growing Plants on Wooden Trellises
The fun part comes when it’s finally time to decorate the sturdy trellis structure with flowering vines, fruiting brambles, edible greens or whatever plants suit the location and gardener’s needs.
- Choose Appropriate Plants: Match vining plant species to the orientation, sunlight, climate and trellis size. Factor eventual mature plant height and spread. Evergreens like honeysuckle can provide year-round interest.
- Use Plant Ties: Secure young vines and stems gently to the trellis wood with soft, stretchy ties to guide early upward growth without damaging delicate plants before they latch on themselves.
- Train Stems: Weave and tuck stems through openings in the wood lattice and use additional clips or wraps as needed while vines are actively growing to align as much surface area to the trellis as possible.
- Prune for Shape & Health: In the first few years, prune back vines during dormancy to shape growth and strengthen trellis attachment. Remove inward-facing shoots to keep flat against trellis and direct hormones outward.
- Add Amendments: Continue enriching surrounding soils over time with organic compost and nutrients to fuel vigorous expansion. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Replace Aging Vines: Eventually woody mature stems will go bare on the bottom as vine tips keep vigorous. Replace old plants or prune back hard to renew. The wooden trellis itself may still last for many years more.
Popular Plants to Grow on Wooden Trellises
Many gorgeous and useful vining plants are well-suited to training onto wood trellises and arbors:
- Flowering Vines: Passionflower (Passiflora) Clematis Vine Morning Glory Water Lily Flower Mandevilla Trumpet Honeysuckle trachelospermum Star Jasmine Wisteria
- Fruiting & Edible Vines: Grapes Blackberries Raspberries Hardy Kiwi Actinidia Vines Malabar Spinach Beans Peas Cucumber Armenian Yard Long Cucumber Bitter Melon
- Ornamental Shrubs & Trees Espalier: Fruit Trees, Fig Trees, Citrus Trees, Hydrangeas, Camellias, Roses and Azaleas.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Directs vine and plant growth upward vertically, saves space | Can decay from weather or wood-boring insects |
| Helps climbing plants like roses attach securely | Require occasional maintenance and repairs |
| Opens up garden bed space below vines | Need sturdy anchoring for tall structures |
| Durable, weathers attractively over time if made of cedar/redwood | Adding trellis too late damages already growing vines |
| Allows airflow to prevent mold and disease in vines | Not ideal for vines that need support along ground like melons |
| Adds beautiful visual structure and interest to gardens | Vine thorns and dense growth complicates trellis access |
| Allows easy access to crops like beans, peas, cucumbers | Lattices with wide gaps unsuitable for smaller vines |
| Variety of styles from panels to tunnels and arbors | Takes up some horizontal space along fences or buildings |
| Can match any garden style from rustic to contemporary | Building customized trellis properly is challenging |
| Relatively affordable DIY project | Minimal other uses if vines kept dying |
Final Thoughts
Wooden trellises are charming garden structures that serve many valuable purposes. They provide physical support for vining plants to climb vertically, directing growth upwards in an organized fashion rather than sprawling horizontally. This saves significant space while allowing ample airflow and light penetration to keep plants healthy and prevent disease.
Trellises also enable gardeners to grow a wider variety of climbing vines, fruiting brambles, ornamental shrubs and flowering plants by giving them the stable framework needed to safely attach and ascend to new heights year after year. Proper trellis construction and siting allows for easy access into the beds below for caretaking and harvesting yields.
Visually, wooden trellises add considerable aesthetic appeal to gardens and outdoor areas. The sight of abundant roses or grapes ascending up a weathered old cedar pergola over a bench is quintessentially beautiful. Trellises blend functional strength with rustic elegance. They immediately convey the care and craft invested into a landscape.
