Re: Arbors?
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Arbors?
- From: M* T*
- Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2000 02:52:49 -0400
Well, Anelle, when we need to span 12' in a building, we use a steel
beam. Can be done in wood, but you need meaty members.
Sort of odd idea, but you might try locating some steel trusses (they
have to be welded tho') - or even, I guess wood floor trusses -
they'd span it. Most trusses are made to order for the job in
question, but a general contractor would know where to get them. You
would need substantial posts anchored in concrete to support them,
but it could be done.
Spanning 6' isn't much of a problem, but in 12' horizontal members
tend to sag. 2x12's on edge might do it, but I wouldn't guarantee it
and you'd need other members connecting them across the top or in
between to keep them vertical. You'd have to cross connect anything
you were planning on using, actually. You'd also likely run into
some issues with your local building department who would consider
this a structure and require a permit:-)
What about a series of posts and top connectors along the driveway
instead of across it? I actually have this - 6x6 cedar posts with
2x6s on each side at the top. Vines can be trained up with string or
netting or (as mine will someday - I hope - have) wooden trelliswork
in between the posts. I grow Lablab up strings thrown over the top
and anchored with soil staples every year on parts of mine and have a
climbing rose up one post, decoratively tied with garden twine around
the post because I keep forgetting to do something intelligent about
it.
Have a photo of this post and beam item somewhere in one of my
articles....let me see if I can find it. OK...it's about halfway
down in this one....there are 3 pix with it in, but the one with the
red wheelbarrow shows it best.
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/shade_gardening/9872
You could use something less substantial for this, too, as you could
space the vertical supports closer together.....even this was a
fairly major project requiring a carpenter....did not do these
myself! You could even use the same type of stock metal trellises
you have over the walkway only put them side by side to form a
continuous line. If you did that, you could connect them together -
wire them?, which would help strengthen them. Drive some rebar into
the ground and wire them to it at the base to help stabilize the
whole shebang.
And, of course, you could just take over the driveway altogether and
park the car in the street:-)
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor: Gardening in Shade
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> From: Anelle Kloski <akloski@JPS.NET>
> Date: Monday, June 05, 2000 4:34 PM
>
> This question is not exactly off topic, since it stems from my
> frustration at not having more sun! At a discount store this year
I
> found some metal trellises, big genough to go over a walkway - so I
> bought seven of them! They are not terribly sturdy, but I thought
I
> would try them, and roses, clematis, etc. seem to love it. I put
one by
> a grape I planted 2 years ago, and it is going wild. It is a
Suffolk
> Red variety and it must have 100 clusters of little grapes now.
Too
> many, I suppose but it is petty exciting seeing a plant go so
> vigorously; looks like it will take over the whole back yard.
>
> Now I would dearly love to plant several grapes, and let them go to
> riot. The only sun I have left is on the driveway. Does anyone
know of
> an easy way to put a support across a span 12 or more feet wide? A
> wooden support that wide would be quite a project. Surely other
shade
> gardeners have tried going upwards, so I would appreciate any
> suggestions.
>
> Anelle
