Clinton Maine Community tree stand build.

This was a fun and rewarding project for me. The Town of Clinton Parks and Recreation Department approached me with a request to create a sturdy metal structure to support a tree by the river. The commercially available tree stands they had been using kept breaking. When I asked for their specifications, they gave me full creative freedom to design something that would last for generations and withstand strong windstorms.

I sourced all the materials from my collection of scrap and recycled metal supplies. Every piece of steel in this project was repurposed—materials that were once destined for the scrapyard now have a new life. I truly enjoy the challenge of looking at a pile of scrap metal and envisioning what I can create with what’s available. While anyone can purchase new materials for a project, there’s something uniquely fulfilling about dreaming up and constructing something entirely from what you already have.

You’ll notice a stainless steel panel in the final design. This is because I didn’t have enough of one type of material to complete the build, and I always enjoy incorporating stainless steel into my projects since it’s my specialty. Overall, this project allowed me to combine creativity, sustainability, and craftsmanship, and I’m proud of the result.