How to Select Poles for a Teepee

A teepee is a common and iconic representation of Native American culture, though these dwellings weren't used by all tribes. The teepee was commonly used by the tribes of the Great Plains region, including the Lakota Sioux and the Blackfoot of Canada. This structure is easily put together and taken down, which was a great advantage to nomadic tribes. The poles used to make a teepee had to support the size of the tepee, and selection of the poles was critical to the tepee's structural integrity and remains so today.

Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the size of your teepee diameter. Add 2 or 3 feet to this measurement. A tepee can be very large, but the smallest tepee that can be used efficiently by one or two people should be at least 10 feet in diameter.

    • 2

      Select durable and light woods to use for the poles. Such traditional woods used were willow, lodge-pole pine, cedar and birch. These woods are very hard but still light enough to transport with ease.

    • 3

      Select three or four of the straightest woods that you can find that meets your measurements. A teepee must be built out of at least three poles to form the tripod. For heavy materials and larger teepees over 15 feet in diameter, four or more poles are recommended.

    • 4

      Select the wood that has at least a 2 to 3-inch diameter. This is essential for support and structural integrity. Larger diameter wood will be too heavy.

    • 5

      Select only wood that is rot-free, and has a fresh slick bark. Wood with holes, flaking bark and cracks will not provide adequate support.

    • 6

      Strip any branches, sharp edges, knot mounds or other protrusions from the wood with a sharp knife. Strip any rough bark away and make the poles as smooth as possible by whittling and shaping rough edges. The poles need to be as smooth as possible so that they won't rip holes in the teepee.