June 2, 2007


About 35 years ago, my Dad planted Concord grapes in the backyard -- before there was a fence,
landscaping, or even a pool. Over the years, the vine grew and prospered on the arbor he built.

The vines grew into a huge plant that attached to the fence and ran more than 20 feet. For the health
of the plant and the nearby hedge, I cut it back to the arbor, then back to the bare vine this spring.

Despite being cut back to bare vine a few weeks earlier, the grapevine already began sprouting
healthy new growth. The arbor did a great job for 35 years, but rust and rot have taken their toll.

I designed a new arbor on paper, then bought the materials -- pressure-treated wood and copper.
Copper is a common theme in my backyard. I built the frame of the new arbor in front of the old
to minimize any stress on the plant.

This view, from the pool deck, shows the 4" posts and 2x4 that frames the new arbor. I kept the
dimensions roughly the same as the old arbor.

A view from the other side...old next to new.

I decided to use support brackets that are spiked two feet into the ground instead of setting the posts
directly into the soil. The brackets are specifically made for light-duty purposes like this. Plus, it
eliminated the need to dig deep holes for the posts, which would have taken a long time.

After building the frame, I drilled holes to accept 3/4" copper tube that serve as lateral supports for the
vine. The copper tube is supported in the middle by a vertical 2x4 wood support.

The bottom rails are also 2x4 pressure-treated, and countersunk for decorative copper "plugs."

The top rail is a 1x6 deck flooring plank, cut angled at each end.

The decorative plugs are 1/2" copper end caps, glued in place. The old arbor is behind, to the right.

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