What I did this Summer

[MACH5]

Wanted to share with my fellow BNutters the project I did this summer. I needed to have an area of shade to place my Japanese maples during the high heat of summer. So I decided to build a 16' x 16' arbor for them. The area is not finished yet since I plan to take out all the grass and put gravel there instead. I plan to have 3 12' long benches underneath it. Two apple trees in large planters will be grown espaliered against the lattice. Lots more to do next Spring!

In addition, a shade mesh will be installed to provide extra protection during the hottest months of the year.

 

[mat]

Wow. Awesome job! I look forward to more pics next year once the benches and apple trees are in there.

 

[fourteener]

Glad, my wife isn't on a forum like this! She might come up with ideas for my time! Looking forward to all the finishing touches as well. Nice job.

 

[JudyB]

That's amazing! I know how much work all that is. Did you do all the wood work yourself? What a great looking area. Can't wait to see benches and tree in it. Are you going to install a watering system? Where will the shade cloth go? Very exciting!

 

[jkd2572]

Very awesome. Please make nice benches for that nice structure. It deserves it.

 

[MACH5]

Glad, my wife isn't on a forum like this! She might come up with ideas for my time! Looking forward to all the finishing touches as well. Nice job.

Haha, my wife is the opposite! If I were to tell her about this she would have said N O! Now she loves it but was not thrilled initially. Sometimes I just have to do things otherwise they will not happen.

That's amazing! I know how much work all that is. Did you do all the wood work yourself? What a great looking area. Can't wait to see benches and tree in it. Are you going to install a watering system? Where will the shade cloth go? Very exciting!

Thanks Judy! Yes it was a lot of work! Much more than I initially thought. I did all the wood work myself. And yes, eventually I do plan to have an automatic watering system as well. This is all part of an entire area that I am dedicating to bonsai. It all has been in the works for a few years now and much more to do.

The shade cloth will be stretched neatly atop the entire structure. BTW I always loved your set up!

Very awesome. Please make nice benches for that nice structure. It deserves it.

Thanks jkd! I plan to have very simple benches. The legs will be stone instead of the usual cinder blocks and the top will have long planks of wood that will also be painted to match the arbor.

 

[Smoke]

What a fabulous arbor. Many years of enjoyment there. You may not even need shade cloth with that top. It seems the light is broken up quite a bit and might be perfect the way it is.

 

[MACH5]

Thanks Al! I will have to experiment and see. I hope you're right about possibly not needing a shade mesh since I rather keep things simple.

 

[fraser67]

Nice job. Great details. I like to see someone who takes the time to do a proper paint job. I'm with Al, you might not need the cloth...

 

[october]

Pretty amazing. I am not a builder so to speak. This looks like is was a big job.

Rob

 

[Dav4]

I wish my yard was flat and had more sun...then I'd HAVE to build something like this. Beautiful!

 

[MACH5]

Pretty amazing. I am not a builder so to speak. This looks like is was a big job.

Rob

Thanks Rob! I am not one either believe me. As evidenced by my endless trips to HD and Lowes Yes A LOT more work than I originally thought. In retrospect I think I would have rather hire someone to do it and spend more time with my trees... and oh yeah family of course!

 

[Lazylightningny]

Wow that is truly exemplary work! By the way you live really close to me (hint hint wink wink)

 

[Joedes3]

Fantastic job! Did you have a set of plans for the design? I look forward to seeing the benches next year.

Joe De

 

[Eric Group]

Wow! Fantastic job! Beautiful!

 

[MidMichBonsai]

Fantastic job. It's awesome to see you take pride in all aspect of your bonsai by spending quality time and effort into how they will be displayed.

I would like to 3rd the "no shade cloth" motion. I think you will have plenty as is and I like the clean look you currently have.

Cheers!

 

[Paradox]

Beautiful. Something to be proud of for sure

 

[edprocoat]

I just seen this, that is a striking design. I bet you will not need the shadecloth, it sure would look better without one in my opinion. That's a nice job, you should be proud. Now spend some time with the family.

ed

 

[MACH5]

Wow that is truly exemplary work! By the way you live really close to me (hint hint wink wink)

Thanks Lazylightningny! LOL anything for the right price!

Fantastic job! Did you have a set of plans for the design? I look forward to seeing the benches next year.

Joe De

Thanks Joe! Yes I did. I made some drawings of the overall plan to get a rough idea of what I wanted to do. Lots of inspiration on google as well. BUT... I also improvised based on what I was seeing when it was getting built.