How to Build a Table Attached to a Tree or Trees

Place a used wood table in your work area. Position cardboard over the table top and trace out the top. Mark the exact locations of the table legs on the cardboard. Turn the table upside down and mark the locations of the support features of the table.

Take your cardboard template to the trees. All of your attachment points need to be on the same side of the tree so that when the trees grow outward the table will evenly move in one direction only. Draw and cut away portions of the cardboard to fit the contours of the trees. Create a 1-inch gap around the circumference of the tree. Taper the curves outward to allow for several years of growth before you will need to trim the table shape.

Fit the cardboard carefully. Note the location of under supports and legs. If the table top is effectively a single piece, the typical supports are around the legs. If you are attaching the table to one or two trees, you will need at least one leg to remain for extra support. When you are satisfied with the shape of the table, mark the location of your bolt holes. The bolt will drill into the tree centered on the trunk. You will use one per trunk and all the bolts should be parallel with each other. Mark the bolt locations on each tree and on your cardboard.

Rent a Garnier Limb drill bit from the Garnier Limb company. This bit is specially designed to work with the Garnier Limb. Measure the height from the floor to the underside of the table standing on its legs. Drill the bolt holes below this height in each tree for the size of Garnier Limb bolt you are using to support your table. The Garnier Limb is a special bolt designed for tree attachments, which minimizes the damage to the tree and allows the item being attached to grow or move with the tree as the tree grows.

Screw the Garnier Limbs into the trees using a wrench. Place the cardboard template over the table and cut the table to fit the trees using a jigsaw. Sand the raw edges with 60- to 120-grit sandpaper. Use mineral oil to finish the raw edge. Wipe the oil on with a rag.

Position the cut table over the Garnier Limbs. Place a sliding bracket over the bolt on the underside of the table. Mount the bracket to the table using screws if you want to hide the attachment or bolts, or washers and nuts if you want the hardware to show. The bracket should allow the table to slide along the Garnier Limb as the trees grow.