How to Build Rustic Farm Gates From Trees

If you have animals that you need to keep penned in, or if want to mark the edges of your property, a fence is a reasonable option. Even though commercial wooden fences and gates can be expensive, rustic gates created from tree branches are free. The gates give your property a woodsy look that can complement many styles.

Supplies:

• 4-inch steel screws


• 1/2-inch-thick tree branches


• Shovel


• Bricks


• 1/2 inch wide link chain


• Bull cutters


• Carabiners


• Measuring tape


• 2-inch-thick tree branches


• Electric handsaw


• Electric hand drill

1. Measure the width of the space for the gate.


2. Slice two 2-inch-thick tree branches seven feet long for the top and bottom rails. Cut one side branch 5 1/2-feet long and one 6 1/2-feet. The second side branch has to be longer than the first because the extra length creates a hinge later on.


3. Put the two 7-foot branches on the ground parallel to each other and 4 1/2-feet apart. Put the 6 1/2-foot branch on the left ends of the 7-foot branches, and the 5 1/2-foot on the right. Make sure the side branches rest about 6-inches in from the ends of the top and bottom branches.


4. Drive the screws through the side branches where they cross the top and bottom ones. Put two screws at each corner. Slightly wiggle and pick up the gate frame to see if it stays together. If a corner doesn’t feel secure, add some screws.


5. Slice six 5 1/2-foot-long, 1/2-inch-thick tree branches. Put them vertically across the gate frame and space them evenly, about 1-foot apart. Screw the branches in the top and bottom.


6. Slice four 7-foot-long, 1/2-inch-thick tree branches. Put them horizontally across the frame and space them evenly between the top and bottom. Use a weaving motion to put the branches in and out of the vertical ones. Screw them into the left and right sides of the gate frame.


7. Dig a hole a foot deep on the left side of the gate. Make sure the hole is no more than 4-inches from the left fence post. Put two bricks side-by-side on the right side, four inches from the right fence post.


8. Put the extra foot of branch on the left of the gate, in the hole. Prop up the lower right corner on the bricks. Apply soil around the post on the left.


9. Slice a 1-foot section of chain with some bull cutters. Wrap the chain around the left gate post as well as the nearest fence post, joining them together. Cut the ends of the chain together with the carabiner.  Do the same on the right side.