Tweegs

Mama wants an artsy-fartsy sign post put up out at the road.
The sign itself will be oval. The idea is to have a post on either side that resembles trees.
One side is to have a branch that arcs over the oval sign, the other post is to have a branch that arcs underneath the sign….with me? Of course, it needs to “look” as natural as possible.

We have plenty of dead and still standing trees on the property. She thought it would be nice to use a couple of them. Easy enough to find a couple that have the right diameter for the length of post I need, finding them with the correct shape branches is another matter entirely. To get around this, I’m thinking of using suitable branches from other trees.

As I see it though, I still have several problems to contend with, mainly with keeping it all together several years down the road.

Initially, Mama wanted to leave the bark on, talked her out of it. Don’t know how I could preserve it in the first place and every tree I’ve felled so far the bark exploded when it hit the ground.

Here’s what I’m thinking so far:

Cut the “branches” at the crotch, shape for a reasonable fit to the post.

Coat the part of the posts that will be buried with creosote or some similar preservative.

The top of the post will be cut at an angle to prevent water and snow from setting up there and also coat the end grain with creosote.

The branch to post mating surface will get the creosote too and the branch will be drilled, countersunk and lag bolted to the post.

Coat all exposed wood with a marine grade spar urethane that has a UV blocker.


Some particulars:
The posts will be roughly 6” in diameter, that’s as big as the auger I have for the post hole digger…not digging it by hand, too much like work.

The sign will be in full sun.

I have no way of telling what the moisture content of the wood will be.

The wood will be left a natural color, no stain or coloring.

What would you do differently?

woodnthings

We'll find plenty to say after it's finished, besides mama will say more, or have more say, either way than we ever will! Sounds like a great project, don't overthink it and let nature determine what goes where. Your main problem will be locating a supply of curved branches to work with. Lay the whole thing out on the ground like a mock-up before you commit to the design and stand on a ladder or look out the window at it for a distant view. bill

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Never stand directly in front of a horse or tablesaw that's running!
If you're not making dust, you're gathering it. After I reread my own posts, I agree with myself even more.

nelcatjar

You have to post a picture when you are finished.

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