In article ,
"michael adams" writes:
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| Elm is durable underwater or in wet clay etc, hence its use for pipes
| coffins etc but apparently rots in the presence of air.

So is oak, and so are many other woods. Most of the harder hardwoods
and a few softwoods are durable when predominantly wet, predominantly
dry or largely anaerobic. They are vulnerable when they are damp and
aerated for long periods, as in the few inches around the soil surface.
This is because the lignin-destroying fungi all need dampness and air
to thrive - anaerobic fungi (like Saccharomyces) generally cannot
break down lignin.

| One possible solution is to build up a stock of foot lengths of old
| copper pipe, conduit etc, blocked off at the bottom end, and slide the
| canes into those.

Or just regard canes as disposable, which is very practical if you
have a large clump of bamboo.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.