This project began with my clients needing a buffer to protect the roots on a 200 year old live oak tree. A bench would serve as a nice barrier that could be enjoyed.  As we went through the design process, nothing looked as good as a perfect circle.  Our shape dictated the process.  I designed/drew the plan full size on four 4'x8' chipboard sheets, and converted the design into an Ipe frame based on 2x4's.  I then ripped 64 wedges of Ipe on my tablesaw which became the seating planks.  Since the point where all the planks would meet was somewhere in the center of the old tree, I had to depend heavily upon my jigs and space each one out properly.  Upon completion, I dubbed this "The Treehugger", and hopefully it will complement the live oak for its next century of life.  — Chris Levack