I would definitely put the corner posts down in a hole with cement mix unless. Another thing to consider is that unless the limbs are completely dry (not freshly cut wood)they could root when put into the ground. I have had this happen with things I made out of limbs.

Penny

My husband dug holes about 18" deep and 10" wide and set the posts in with concrete. I do not know if this deep setting is needed in warm climates as much, because our ground really shifts in the cold. A picture of our rustic arbour on our webpage.

Lisa

Here is a link that might be useful: Our Garden Webpage

I set rebar about 2' deep and straped the uprights securely to it. It has held fine for 3 years now.

I just posted a link to my gazebo on another post... I used uprights of about 5 inches diameter, and set it on cement blocks dug into the ground. It's plenty heavy and it's not going to go anywhere. So you can do it that way, too, if you use bigger uprights. Setting it on the cement pads will help reduce soil contact and help it last longer. If I lived in Tennessee, I'd definitely use cedar, since it's so readily available. My rail pieces that go horizontally are also about 5" diameter, and the lattice pieces are about 1 1/2--2 1/2 inches in diameter. This is about 7 feet diameter. I used lag bolts, 5/16" X4 1/2 inches to fasten it together. If you have an air compressor, use it with your impact wrench to drive in the lag bolts, it makes the job real easy. Also, buy an extra long drill bit to drill the pilot holes with.

Here's a shot of my rustic gazebo--same principle. Along with Youthman, we put 4 vertical pieces of rebar at each upright post location, about a foot deep, then placed the mini-logs in and strapped them tight to the rebar using some pliable, strong wire. It's been quite strong. Karen

{{gwi:461}}

Oh...Karen...that is just lovely! And the flagstone work is very nice!

I'm getting so many wonderful ideas from all of you...my husband is going to be a busy boy once this weather settles down! *LOL*

~Sandy~

I just want to say that Karen's rustic arbor is absolutely beautiful!!!

Oh Karen, how gorgeous! What is the tall purple flower on the right of the picture?

Suzi