Large or joined plastic cable ties allow more pressure to be exerted. Do it
in anticipation of the rusting bands as they will certainly fail before the
staves of which the barrel is made rot. Barrels made in this manner
frequently last 20 years or more. The wood is oak a very hard and durable
timber.

Jon



"swroot" wrote in message
...
Pete wrote:

I just purchased three old oak half wine barrels. planning on putting
Clematis H.F young in them as it is supposed to be good in containers.
What should i line them with? or do i have to. will they rot after a
while from the soil and moisture. On the barrel it says keep moist so
the metal rings do not slip off......getting confused

Barrels are made of carefully shaped wooden strips held together by the
bands -- no glue or nails needed. If a barrel sawn in half dries out,
then the wooden strips shrink and change alignment, and the metal bands
often fall off. In my experience (half sherry casks used as ponds)
you'll find the metal strips rust through before before the wood rots.
Check the condition of the strips from time to time, and if they look
weak try holding the barrel together with several lengths of strong
wire.

regards
sarah


--
"Great is truth, but still greater, from a practical point of view,
is silence about truth." Aldous Huxley