Pyramid Trellis

This pyramid trellis is an attractive decor item, that elegantly supports climbing plants, and intriguing frames for topiary. Use your pyramids as focal points, climbing frames for flowering plants and vegetables, and frames for shrubs that you want to train into a pyramid shape. To do the latter, place the pyramid over the plant and, as it grows, regularly trim off any leaves and stems that protrude outside the framework.

What you Need for each Pyramid

4 x (2000 x 38 x 38mm) pine for the legs
4 x (500 x 38 x 38mm) pine cross supports
4 x (385 x 38 x 38mm) pine cross supports
4 x (270 x 38 x 38mm) pine cross supports
4 x (155 x 38 x 38mm) pine cross supports
1 x (190 x 190 x 20mm) top platform
1 timber finial for the top
32 full-thread cut screws (60mm)
8 eyebolts (6 x 50mm)
4 turnbuckles (5mm die cast, light duty)
12m PVC-coated wire rope (1.5mm)
Universal undercoat
Enamel paint (we used Plascon ‘Garnet Symphony’)

Tools – tape measure, bevel square, hand saw or mitre saw, spirit level, cordless drill, 6mm wood drill bit, paintbrush

Steps

1.Measure and mark the intended positions of the cross supports on the legs. Do this by placing the four legs together and measuring 200mm up from the bottom for the first support, then 380mm up from that for the second set, and the same for the third and fourth sets.

2.Cut a 15° angle into both ends of each cross support, using the mitre saw. Separate the supports into four sets with one of each length in each set. Begin with two of the legs: join them together by a fixing the supports in position with screws, starting with the bottom support and working upwards, making sure that the legs stay aligned at the top and bottom. Repeat this process with the other two legs. Next, join these to form the pyramid, using the third and fourth sets of supports.

3.Stand the pyramid on level ground. Using the spirit level, draw a straight pencil line around the top of the uprights. Saw along the line so that the tops of each are flat and level. Drill an 8mm hole in the centre of the piece of wood that will form the top platform. Using a screw for each, attach the platform to the tops of the four uprights. Insert the finial into the centre hole.

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4.To prepare the pyramid for the PVC-coated wire rope, first drill 6mm holes as follows: one hole in the centre of each top horizontal support, then three evenly spaced holes in each of the other supports. Secure an eyebolt, with the eye facing downwards, into each of the holes in the top supports. Next, secure an eyebolt with the eye facing upwards in the left hand hole of each of the bottom supports. Cut the wire into four sections of equal length, then attach and thread as detailed in the ‘Threading the wire’ tip below.

5.Apply the universal undercoat, followed by three coats of enamel paint, allowing each to dry thoroughly before applying the next coat.

Threading the Wire

First attach one end to the top eyebolt and then run it down through the centre hole in each of the remaining three supports, then along under the bottom support. Next, thread it upwards through the right hand side hole of the bottom support and the next two supports. At that point, run it along the top of the support and back down through the holes on the left hand side. After you pull it through the hole in the second to last support, connect it to the eyelet of the turnbuckle, then clip the turnbuckle to the bottom eyebolt. Use the turnbuckle to tighten the wire. Repeat this process for each remaining side.