[Sive]

Could someone advise me what shrub or tree I should plant that would allow me to cut twiggy growth for pea sticks, for making tripods for sweet peas or supports for tall plants etc...I'm not looking for sophistication here, just function and sustainability....and saving money. I have heard willow and hazel mentioned, but i need a little more advice.

[cooler]

Hazel is the one to go for as it is much more rigid. Sweetpeas get really heavy after a rain shower, combined with a breeze will require a sturdy support structure.

[medieval knievel]

also, willow sticks are likely to take root, becoming more permanent than you intended.

[Sive]

Thank you for that. I have never grown hazel, I thought it was like a small tree.....should I cut it back to make it multi-stemmed? As for willow.....if you were to cut twigs and let them dry out, presumably they wouldn't root then, so would it be worth trying willow too? What type of willow for this purpose? Or is it a case again of cutting it back to make it throw up a lot of stems?

[birdie]

Hazel is here http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about1040.html and willow is here http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about679.html with a few mentions about cutting for weaving.

[Sive]

Thank you Birdie, those are really good links. I think I'll start with hazel as I already have some whips planted in a mixed hedge, so I just need to wait for them to grow. If gardening teaches you nothing else, it teaches you patience!