The Making of a Decker Tree

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Pictures 1 thru 7 show various views of our three Decker trees and how they are assembled. Note on picture 7 how the finished tree is wider in the rear to allow for the changing contour of the animal’s back, from the withers to the kidney area. Our wood bars are shaped from Ponderosa pine and will remain somewhat flexible when dry. Bar dimensions are 6 ½” X 20” with a twist at the withers area of approximately 15 degrees. Counter sunk TEE nuts along with machine screws are used to mount the arches to the pine bars in a 3-point staggered attachment. (#8-#9) ¾ inch hot rolled solid steel blanks are heated in our six burner gas forge and then formed on our 10,000 psi hydraulic forming press. For accuracy the blanks are formed heated so that there is no spring back when the hydraulic pressure is released. (#10) Cooling of the formed arches. (#11) After forming, arches are cut to the correct mounting angle. (#12) Arches are tumbled for about 12 hours to remove burrs and smooth out all edges. (#13) Mounting flats are sheared, one end dogged, and counter sunk mounting holes punched on our hydraulic iron worker. (#14) view of our three arch styles. (#15) Diagram of TEE nut application.

Epilogue: Now you know more about a Decker Tree than you ever thought you’d want to or need to!