Build a Hockey Tree
and save your equipment

"Get rid of that smelly equipment!"  If you play you will hear this from someone you live with. You can avoid this problem and keep your equipment in top shape if you dry it out each time you play. 

A simple way to dry your equipment is to construct a "Hockey Tree."  The tree that is described here is simple to construct, sturdy and can be customized to meet your specific needs.  In addition, you can finish or paint your tree in colors to match your team jerseys.

Construction of the tree requires some minor skill with tools but should be fairly easy for most folks.  The materials cost about $15 (U.S.) and can be purchased at any lumber yard or hardware store.     The following tools are needed:  saw, power drill, open end wrench, drill bits (1/2 inch and 1/8 inch, countersink) and scissors.

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

H Tree Parts.jpg (15252 bytes)

Figure 1.

 The Parts necessary for the construction of the tree are:

   2   six foot long 2 X 4s  - (make sure they are straight)

   6   2.5 inch long screws with flat heads

   2   four foot long 1/2 inch dowels

   1   five inch long lag screw - approx. 1/2 inch diameter

   8   feet of rope - any size

   1   small container of carpenter's glue

The parts, after being cut, are shown in Figure 1. 

Cutting Instructions
To provide the parts for the tree some of the wood needs to be cut into pieces. 

1.  Cut all the small pieces from one of the 2 x 4s.  This 2 x 4 will yield 6 parts needed in construction.

2.  Measure from one of the 2 x 4s and cut two pieces that are 1 3/4 inches long.  Label these piece "A" and "B."
 
 

 
 

H tree leg support detail.gif (2135 bytes)

Figure 2.

 

 3.  Next measure and cut two pieces that are 1 foot long on one side and 5 inches on the other.  This should be done by cutting horizontally on a 45 degree angle.  Figure 2 illustrates the shape of these pieces.  Label them "C" and "D."

4.  Cut a straight piece from the 2 x 4 which is 2 1/2 feet long.   Label it "E"

5.  Cut a straight piece from the 2 x 4 which is 1 1/2 feet long.   Label it "F"

6.  Next cut one of  the dowels into to three pieces.  The first should be 1 foot 3 inches long ("G".)  The next should be 2 feet 6 inches long ("H".)  This should leave a short piece which is 3 inches long ("I".)

7.  Cut one piece out of the remaining dowel that is 3 feet 6 inches long ("J".)   Cut the remaining dowel into two pieces both 3 inches long.  Label them "K" and "L."

8.  Cut the rope into 4 segments - each two feet long. 

Base Assembly  

H tree - long base part.jpg (9904 bytes)

Figure 3.

 

9.  Find part E which is a 2 x 4 and is 2 1/2 feet long.  Drill a hole in the center of the length that is large enough to accept the 5 inch lag bolt.   Use the countersink drill bit to enlarge the hole so that the head of the lag bolt can be tightened and to be flush with surface of the 2 x 4.  

Insert the lag bolt into the hole and use the open end wrench to tighten.  Turn the lag bolt into the hole until it is above the surface of the 2 x 4.   Figure 3 illustrates this step.  This is the long portion of the base

 

 

H Tree - short base part.jpg (18817 bytes)

Figure 4. 

 

 10.  Find parts A and B.  Drill a hole in the center of each part to accept the 2 1/2 inch flat head screws.   Use the countersink on each hole in order to make sure that the heads of the screws will be flush with surface of the 2 x 4.

11.  Place these parts on the end part F which is a 2 x 4 that is 1 1/2 feet long.  Drill through parts A and B into part F in order to ease the entry of the screws.  Next, insert the the 2 1/2 inch screws into the hole and tighten.   Figure 4 illustrates  the assembly of this piece.  This is known as the short portion of the base.

 

H Tree Complete Base.jpg (16344 bytes)

Figure 5.

 

 12.  Drill a hole in the center of the short to allow the 5 inch lag screw to be attached.  Next, screw the lag screw through the long base into the short base.  Leave a small amount of the lag screw showing in preparation for attaching the main vertical 2 x 4.  Figure 5 shows the completed base.    

 

 

Instructions continue on the next page - click here..