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Alder for hedge laying stakes?


Fishman
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I will need 600 stakes this winter for laying my hedge. I have a small amount of hazel and ash, but I have loads of young self set Common Alder (Alnusglutinosa) which varies in size from one and a half inches diameter and up. Its lovely and straight, but I know it rots quickly once cut if left on the ground or in the weather. I believe it doesn't rot underground so I guess if used as stakes it will probably break at ground level after a couple of years. Has anyone used alder stakes successfully before and if so whats the minus size to use, should it be used without splitting, and will it last long enough to support the hedge after laying (midland style) until the hedge re-growth makes it self supporting?  

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Should be ok I guess. Cut a few and see how they drive in, 1 1/2" should be fine. I've always be of the opinion if they are straight then use anything, they really only need to last a few seasons-hazel isn't that durable. I've used birch, dogwood, sawn softwood, peeled willow etc etc . I'm sure years ago folks would have used what they had. 

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Guest Gimlet

I'm inclined to agree with kav. Never used Alder for stakes but traditionally hedgelayers would have utilised anything they cut out of the hedge. I do all the time. I've used odd bits of dogwood, goat willow, sycamore (very good) and anything else that's the right size and straight rather than throw it away. I wouldn't rely on a hedge to supply it's own materials but I won't turn down a usable stick.

 

Hazel actually isn't very durable. It doesn't rot so much as go brittle. I've tried reusing year old hazel stakes that have been stored off the ground and under cover and they're rubbish. They weigh nothing and snap just under the tension of the binders.

Hazel is still there three years after laying but it's not doing much and if the hedge wanted to shrug its bindings off it would with ease.

Really, your scaffolding doesn't need to last longer than twelve months because a good hedge will more or less knit itself together in the first season. But saying that midland puts its stakes under more stress than other stake and binder styles and takes a little longer to consolidate than say, south of England. Even so I think you'd be alright with alder. 

If in doubt, mix em up with the tried and trusted species you've got already and anything else usable that comes out of the hedge as you work. Yards of continuous failed stakes is a problem but Intermittent ones don't matter.

Edited by Gimlet
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