How to Build a Wood Shed From Cedar Trees

A wood shed is a handy outbuilding that can be used to store firewood. Many wood sheds are themselves made of wood, since lumber is a common building material. Even though cut lumber is preferable for building, it is possible to create a wood shed out of several fallen cedar trees. Such a shed would resemble an old-fashioned log cabin and requires only a chainsaw and a few hand tools to construct the building.

Each tree log must be cut so that the log ends create at least two lap joints each.

Step 1

Cut four trees down using the chainsaw. Once the trees have been felled, use the chainsaw to cut three of the felled trees into logs that are each 5 feet long. Cut the fourth tree into logs that are each 1 1/2 feet long.

Step 2

Chop off any branches protruding from the logs using the ax. Also use the ax to peel the bark off from each log.

Step 3

Each cinder block must be placed into the trench with the holes facing the ground.

Find a level area on your land and dig a square-shaped trench that is 4 inches deep and 5 feet long on each side of the trench. Place the cinder blocks with the long, narrow sides down into the trench until you fill the trench completely with cinder blocks. Place the level along each row of cinder blocks to ensure that the tops of the cinder blocks are even with each other. Fill any loose parts of the trench with dirt so that only 2 inches of each cinder block protrudes above ground.

Step 4

Cut two 6-inch-long notches at the end of each 5-foot log using the ax. Each notch must be at least 4 inches deep and must create flat edges at the end of each log. If necessary, you can also use the crosscut saw to remove any excess wood pieces if you are unable to get a reasonably flat surface by using an ax. There should be notches on both the top and bottom sides of each log edge.

Step 5

Select two 1 1/2-foot logs. Use the ax to cut two 6-inch-long notches at one end of each log. Each notch must be at least 4 inches deep and must be on the top side of the log; these notches will create a flat edge that the other logs will overlap. You may also use the crosscut saw to remove any excess material if you are unable to get a reasonably flat surface by using the ax.

Step 6

Place the first notched 1 1/2-foot log on the front side of the shed, laying the log on top of the cinder blocks with the notches facing upward. Lay the first notched 5-foot log on the right side of the shed so that the notch from this log overlaps the notch from the first 1 1/2-foot log. The notches from both logs must meet at the right front corner of the shed.

Step 7

Place the second notched 1 1/2-foot log on the front side of the shed, laying the log on top of the cinder blocks with the notches facing upward. Lay the second notched 5-foot log on the left side of the shed so that the notch from this log overlaps the notch from the 1 1/2-foot log. The notches from both logs must meet at the left front corner of the shed.

Step 8

Place the third notched 5-foot log on the rear side of the shed so that the bottom notches on this log overlap the top notches on the left-side and right-side logs.

Step 9

Cut two 6-inch-long notches at the end of each remaining 1 1/2-foot log using the ax. Each notch must be at least 4 inches deep and must create flat edges at the end of each log. There should be notches on both the top and bottom sides of each log edge. Repeat Steps 6 through 8 until the shed is at least 5 feet tall.

Step 10

Lay a 5-foot notched log across the top front part of the shed. Lay the roofing material flat so that it covers the top left-side log and runs from the top rear log to the top front log. Nail the roofing material to the top front log and the top rear log. Overlap each subsequent piece of roofing material so that the roofing material covers the shed and so that the final piece of roofing material covers the top right-side log. The roofing material will form a slight rearward slope to drain any water from the top of the shed.