How to make a trellis from hazel poles

Hazel-pole trellis looks beautiful in it's own right and shows off your climbing plants to perfection. It oozes rustic charm, adding interest to a drab wall or fence. You can also use hazel to create a wigwam support for clematis, or use other plants like willow, to create willow plant supports or willow edging.

Follow our step-by-step guide, below, to create your own hazel trellis.

You Will Need

• Hazel poles (1.8m), seven
• Sisal rope (6mm), 75cm rope per 30cm depth of screen
• Saw
• Drill
• Wood drill bit (7mm)

Step 1

Cut the rods to about 1.8m long. There's no need to be too precise - irregularity is part of the rustic charm. Find the mid-point of each rod and measure 65cm in both directions. Mark these two points and drill a hole at each. This ensures the ropes will be vertical whatever length the poles are.

Step 2

Attach two lengths of sisal rope to the wall or fence 1.3m apart. One by one, thread the hazel poles on to the rope, tying a simple knot in both lengths of rope after each one. To finish off, tie a knot under the final rod and cut off the excess.

Hang this vertically from a pergola for privacy, shade or even to hide an unpleasant view. Stretched over the beams of a pergola it makes a shady roof.