Last winter our friends Bettina (of Upsticks Yurt Holidays) and Jeff were commissioned to make a large yurt to provide an indoor/outdoor space for a childcare nursery. They came to us in January looking particularly for the long poles they needed to create the roof span.
![](https://broadleaf.wales/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/collecting-hazel-1024x658.jpg)
Cows help to sort yurt poles and pea sticks
Whilst we were coppicing the hazel, they mentioned that they were looking for someone to make a hardwood stable door, complete with frame, for the yurt. It would need to be quite wide to accommodate large prams. I decided to take the project on thinking that it would be a good use for some of the lovely, wide cherry boards that we had milled the year before, and which were now air dried in the shed.
![Door awaiting it yurt](https://broadleaf.wales/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/door-in-workshop-702x1024.jpg)
Door awaiting its yurt
The boards that we had were 50mm thick – much too heavy for door making, so I ripped them in half with the chainsaw planker. Each of the 50mm boards created two 20mm boards and a large pile of sawdust! The finish produced by this method of milling is surprisingly good.
![](https://broadleaf.wales/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/PHOTO-2022-05-17-08-58-07-1024x768.jpg)
Trial meeting of poles and door – a perfect fit!
I designed the door based on Jeff’s photos of previous projects. The frame needed to accommodate the hazel lattice of the yurt frame. Cherry is a very suitable timber for external joinery because of its natural durability and attractive appearance.
![](https://broadleaf.wales/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/PHOTO-2022-05-17-08-59-36-1024x768.jpg)
The delicate elegance of the yurt frame and its glowing cherry door
I always find it difficult to choose boards with complicated grain and waney edges, but it is always these character filled boards which end up looking spectacular. I particularly like the rabbit above the latch.
I am now looking forward to seeing photos of the finished yurt in situ with its covers on, after Jeff and Bettina journey down south to erect it.
Watch this space!