A trellis is a decorative yet functional garden structure that supports heavy climbers by lifting them off the ground. Although it can be made from a variety of material such as wood, wire, PVC or aluminum poles, a trellis made from dried twigs is attractive, and recycles fallen twigs that have collected in your back yard. If you build your own trellis, you can save money and customize it to your requirements.
Select a spot in your back yard or garden according to your plant's requirements and decide on the appropriate size for the trellis. Sketch out your trellis on paper so you have a rough idea of how many twigs to collect. Keep in mind the mature size of the plants the trillis will be supporting to determine the appropriate height.
Collect dried twigs from your back yard or woods to build a diamond-patterned twig trellis. The twigs should be at least 1/2-inch thick and no shorter than 4 feet, as 10 to 12 inches will go into the ground to support the structure.
Separate the twigs in bundles according to their height. Also cut lightweight twine into many 4 to 5-inch lengths.
Insert a support twig 10 inches deep at each end of the trellis, and one in the middle. Knot a length of twine to a corner twig just above ground level, extending it to the middle twig and then the twig at the other corner. Make sure it is taut as it will help keep the trellis straight. Cut a 5-inch-long twig that will serve as a spacing guide, and a 3-foot- long twig for a height guide.
Center the 5-inch spacing twig at the base of the middle support twig. Insert a twig diagonally at a 60-degree angle, 3 inches deep in the ground at each end of the spacing twig. Make sure the diagonals are parallel to each other. Insert diagonal twigs in the opposite direction at the base of the first twigs, ensuring that they cross in front of the support twig.
Use the 5-inch spacing twig to add three more diagonal twigs in the direction of the first twigs, and another three in the opposite direction, weaving them over the existing twigs at each intersection. Tie intersecting twigs at the base, center and top with the lightweight twine.
Add twigs to the spot until you reach the ends. Tie intersecting twigs at both ends of the trellis with twine. Stand the 3-foot-long height twig on the ground as a guide and trim off any excess twig length with hand pruners to give the trellis an even top.