Gardening and Horticulture - Wire Trellis
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rubin_l
10-21-02, 03:40 PM
I want to construct a wire trellis about 85 feet long and 8 feet high to get vines to grow on to hide a neighbor's hiddeous fence.
My plan was to use a 4x4 post at each end and spacing of 2x4's about 8 feet apart to support (but not hold tension) the wire lengths.
We are talking about supprting vines like ivy, so we are not dealing with heavy plants.
Three questions:
Being the tension will be borne by the two end posts, is it possible to get away wothout having earth anchors pulling on the other end of the post to balance out the tension?
Is the 8' spacing of the 2x4's close enough together?
How far into the ground do I need to sink the 4x4 and 2x4 posts?
Your input is sincerely appreciated!
My plan was to use a 4x4 post at each end and spacing of 2x4's about 8 feet apart to support (but not hold tension) the wire lengths.
We are talking about supprting vines like ivy, so we are not dealing with heavy plants.
Three questions:
Being the tension will be borne by the two end posts, is it possible to get away wothout having earth anchors pulling on the other end of the post to balance out the tension?
Is the 8' spacing of the 2x4's close enough together?
How far into the ground do I need to sink the 4x4 and 2x4 posts?
Your input is sincerely appreciated!
Newt
10-21-02, 11:06 PM
Hi Rubin,
You don't say where you live so it would be difficult to say how deep to put the posts. They need to be below the frost line in your area. For Florida that could be 18" and for North Dakota that could be 3' or more.
The 8' spacing should be adequate if the posts are sunken deep enough. I would suggest at least 2' deep.
I would think you don't need the anchors if you sink the posts at least 2'.
Another caveat. Ivy clings to walls and stone with rootlets and not by wrapping itself around the wire. You will find yourself having to tie it up constantly. I would suggest a different vine or the use of evergreen shrubs.
Good luck,
Newt
You don't say where you live so it would be difficult to say how deep to put the posts. They need to be below the frost line in your area. For Florida that could be 18" and for North Dakota that could be 3' or more.
The 8' spacing should be adequate if the posts are sunken deep enough. I would suggest at least 2' deep.
I would think you don't need the anchors if you sink the posts at least 2'.
Another caveat. Ivy clings to walls and stone with rootlets and not by wrapping itself around the wire. You will find yourself having to tie it up constantly. I would suggest a different vine or the use of evergreen shrubs.
Good luck,
Newt