How to Make Rustic Tables From Tree Trunk Pieces

If your favorite tree falls over dead on your property, all is not lost. Make a table from vertically cut slabs, small end tables from horizontal burl cuts, and kindling for next winter's fire place. Have a professional saw your tree into even lengthwise slabs so that you can actually work with the pieces. The preparation work will take longer than the building, but the results will be rustic and charming.

Instructions

1

Check for any insect infestation under the bark or in the wood. Eliminate them if you find them. Pull off all of the bark covering because it will crumble off eventually. The wood needs to be cured for a few weeks out of the elements to dry out the resin.

2

Use a wood plane to even up the two slabs and take down high spots in the pieces. Sand away imperfections with the heavy grit sandpaper. Work down to the medium grit and then to the fine grit to completely smooth the grain of the table. Wipe away dust with the tack cloth.

3

Stain the pedestal base and the wood slabs with 2 -- 3 coats of stain. Dry thoroughly between coats.

4

Use decorative hardware to fasten the two sides of the tree slabs together at the center and both ends. Put a drop of glue into each pilot hole when you are screwing down the hardware to add stability.

5

Drill pilot holes into which you screw the base of the pedestal to the center of the undersides of the slabs. Always drop wood glue into the holes and attach with wood screws.

6

Protect the table with 2 -- 3 coats of lacquer, drying thoroughly between coats.