Another pond problem (again self inflicted)

[dan-fisher]

Alright guys,

Got another serious question, i wanted to build a feature around the pond back with wood logs as it would promote wildlife... or so i think.

So i have these old telegraph poles on site so i thought 'ace'....

Cut one BY HAND and put it in place... now i've cut the others BY HAND!! Have you ever cut 10" thick compression treated telegraph poles with a hand saw?? Not advisable!

PROBLEM.. Damn telegraph are treated with darned creosote !!!! Now banned from household use, tables, etc where it can come into contact with us mortals.. Have i wasted a whole day or what ???

Will the cresote kill everything ??


btw these poles are about 100years old.. and it's killed me carrying and cutting them. If i've wasted my time i'll proberly kill myself... in my own pond :0

[Kayleigh]

your winding us all up aren't you lol

I have railway sleepers they are banned for the same reason..I think as long as they don't come in contact with the water they may be fine..
But telegraph poles seep a lot of creosote in hot weather...

I cant answer your question..but as they are that old they may be OK.

This is my pond last winter..

[dan-fisher]

That's an excellent pond setup.. nice and clean and tidy.

I was hoping for the wood to actually begin to rot.. to promote the bugs for the frogs and others..

(Definately not i wind up! I really do go to extraordinary lengths to cock things up!)

As to the age,, they and now i still smell stonglt of the chemical!

[Kayleigh]

Thanks but it looks a bit mature now or overgrown but wildlife like it..You cant see the fence in summer as its densely planted up.

Your telegraph pole will not rot down, we put sleepers as they make a great soil retainer they don't rot..
I got a bag of fire wood from the local garden centre for around £5 and put that at the back of the boarder as log piles. I have wood mice living in there the toads like it too.

[dan-fisher]

I like mature and overgrown when it comes to wildlife

So i think best to get rid of the telegraph poles and wipe out todays cutting completely from my memory.. as the garden isn't massive and i don't want too much compromise on what i do with it...

This is when i put the first peice in.. i cut the 'nose' onto every single one!!

[Hedge Witch]

You have moss growing on the wood, no? It looks like it. This one also looks weathered. So I think they should be OK. IMHO

[tom00_uk]

if they smeel of chemicals when cut thats a good sign there is still a lot of it in the wood

cut lots of them in the past when making windbreaks from them, not going to be colinized any time soon though as they have been treated to last and thats just what they will do, dont burn them as it will be like chucking a car tyre on the fire

[dan-fisher]

Thanks you all for the help. Muchly appreciated

[galanthus]

Just a small piece of advice dan, before you undertake any more work in the garden WHATSOEVER !!!! Please please run it by us first next time

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by galanthus

Just a small piece of advice dan, before you undertake any more work in the garden WHATSOEVER !!!! Please please run it by us first next time

You took the words right out on of my mouth..
In the style of meat loaf himself...