Monkey Poles...

Bonsaifreak

I am ready to begin groundbreaking for my new growing and display area. Eventhough they serve their purpose, I'm tired of purchasing concrete blocks for display. Their estethics leave a lot to be desired...

Having seen some of the BT members displays and benches, I'm impressed.
I have now decided to make some monkey poles for my collection.

What are the best materials and methods for setting them up?

Thanks,

Jorge

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Will_Heath

I used 6x6's since they give a greater sense of stability and visual weight. I topped them with a platform of 2 1x6 screwed into the top. In areas where it freezes, it is a good idea to sink them at least as deep as the frost line to prevent heaving.


Will

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Bonsaifreak

Do you dig a hole to stick them into the ground?

Jorge

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TreeBay

Probably a minimum of 30 inches in any case. Here it doesn't freeze more than an inch or two deep. I think the guideline for really cold areas (for fencing) is something like 42 inches.

Regards,

Matt

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Ian_Homer

I'm currently looking in some reclamation yards for old timber "telegraph poles".

These are about 10 inches in diameter, have a rugged look, and most places that sell them, will cut a complete one into varying lengths with a chainsaw.

Concrete these in, with the best end upwards, and screw on a flat top.

Not sure what the availability is in the U.S. or elsewhere, but most of ours are now being replaced with steel, or are going all together because of underground cables - so there are plenty about.

Regards,
Ian.

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rockm

Telephone poles can be a real problem if you're not careful. They sometimes contain creosote (which can prevent rot, but can also cause some problem handling the things, not to mention, creosote is "aromatic" gives off fumes which your trees might not appreciate). If they have been used previously, they can also contain nails--which will destroy a chain saw and possibly you as the saw kicks back when you're cutting them down. Take note if you're doing this. Be careful.

Nayway, I believe telephone poles (and railroad ties) are simply too ungainly to work with.

The largest diameter square fence or deck post, 6x6" as Will said, work alot better. They're not as clunky, provide more tan adequate support and are easily workable. They have to be buried 24-30 inches in the ground--ust as most supports do-to be effective. You can make a simple flat top by laying out three or four deck rail slats with two parallel rail supports, then screwing the assembly to the top of the post. I've done thre or four of these and they support 100 lbs+ bonsai with no problem.

I have not cemented the posts into the ground though. It's not necessary either. After talking with professional fencing folks who installed my fence, I decided against it. They said the cement will actually wind up holding water against the wood inside the "cup" of cement that holds it. The posts rot much faster when cemented into the ground. Simply packing larger stones and backfilling and packing dirt into the hole allows drainage and support. This may just be the fencer's way of skimping, but I haven't had a post rot in years, while my nieghbors have replaced their cemented-in fence posts...

Will_Heath

Yes, I dig holes to sink them in. I cheated and rented a power post hole digger from Home Depot and had them all in withing a few hours. Note, I have a total of 26 Monkey Poles scattered here and there around the yard.

As has been said you must get them at least as deep as the frost line or you'll have heave from the freeze/thaw cycle which will push them up and tilt them at angles. I went 42 inches deep here in Michigan. I do not concrete them in as I have a way of changing my mind often. Tip: they are removed easily with a car jack and a piece of chain, just wrap the chain around the post and hook it to a good car jack and jack them out.

That being said, I recently installed a group of five monkey poles outside of the family coffee shop for a display of bonsai. Not wanting to go through the effort of digging holes for a temporary display I came up with a unique solution that I may very well use at home in the future.

I purchased some 1 inch diameter rebar and cut it into 4 foot sections. I took a long shafted paddle bit 1 inch in size and drilled 1 foot deep holes into one end of each 6x6. The rebar fit very tightly, so much so that I had to hammer it into the 6x6's. I then placed the 6x6's where I wanted them and using a small sledge hammer, beat the remaining 3 foot of rebar in until the 6x6 was flush against the ground. Afterwards, I screwed the top bases on and presto, I had 5 monkey poles that were amazingly sturdy for a display.


Will

Bonsaifreak

Thank you all for the excelent ideas!

I went ahead and purchased some deck posts and treated timber platforms (the ones used for the steps in deck stairs). I also got a manual fence hole digger (22 bucks at Lowe's, I wonder if renting a power fence hole drill would have been a better investment).

Will, once the monkey poles and platforms are in place, how do you secure the pots on top, do you use any wire or brackets? It can get very windy here in Corpus Christi and I can picture myself toopling them over in the early morning hours when watering my trees.

Jorge

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Will_Heath

Good question. I have a few taller trees that I place a brick on the soil surface for stability but I never have had a pot blow off before. I have known some people to wrap a wire around to secure them and I have seen pots chained to the poles before for security reasons.

Remember that your surface should be made so that is is bigger than your pots. If so, your pots have just as much of a chance of blowing off a monkey pole as they do a bench. If you are extremly worried, you could create a lip on the sides of the platform to prevent this also.

Your question reminds me of the questions I get about sitting in a tree stand all day on an area the same size as a kitchen chair. People ask me if I am afraid of falling out or if I ever have. I typically respond by having then sit in a kitchen chair and then asking them if they are afraid of falling off. Same area, same danger, the mind just acts differently when you add 30 feet to the equation, lol.

Good luck, be sure and post pictures for us.


Will