How to Make a Table Base From Roots

Find the roots you want to use as your table base. Finding the roots is half the fun in this process. Keep an eye out on walks, hikes, canoe trips and even while driving on back roads. You never know when you will find a striking piece that will work well for a piece of furniture. Take roots only from trees that are dead or that have fallen down. It is easiest to get to the root base when a tree has fallen and the leverage of the tree has pulled the web of roots above ground. Carrying a handsaw with you is wise, as it will help you extract the root parts you want. You may find a singular root piece that will work well for your table base, but it is more likely that you will have to collect a few to fit together.

Fit your root pieces together. After you have collected several large, thick roots, try arranging them in different ways to see what the best arrangement is for supporting a table. The number of root pieces you will use depends on how big a base you need. Are you creating a small nightstand table? Or a larger table that would seat four people on your patio? Tables with root bases have been created with as little as one large root and trunk support, or as many as a dozen or more.

Secure the root pieces together so they become one solid, sturdy object. Do this by using a drill --- cordless is much more convenient for this project --- and screws that are at least 3 inches long so they penetrate far enough into the thick roots. Where you screw the roots together will depend on your particular configuration. In some cases, you won't be able to screw two roots together, and so carving a notch in one so another can fit into it will be necessary. This can be done by cutting a notch with a small saw, and then refining it with chisels. Carve a little at a time, and check the fit frequently. It is easier to carve away than to have the notch be too large. If you need to join two together in this manner, then this should be done before using any screws on other parts of the configuration.

Cut the top of your root structure so it creates a flush, horizontal support for the top of your table. You can use a handsaw if your roots aren't more than 3 inches thick each, but no matter the thickness, it is easier and faster to use an electric saw. Place something flat on top of it, such as a piece of foam core, and a level on top of that to check periodically if you have created a level support for the table top.

Place the table surface on top of the root structure. Round or square-cut glass works well because you can see into the roots from above. Most table glass is heavy enough that its weight will keep it in place. This also enables you to easily take off the tabletop when you wish to place the table in a new area.