In article
"Steve B" writes:
What makes a long life trellis? Metal? Wood? Beams?

A lot will depend on what you want it to hold, and how you want it
to look. For small diameter stuff, probably non-corroding metal
-- copper, aluminum, galvanized steel. For heavier stuff (wisteria),
thick pieced of rot resistant wood are good -- cedar, cyprus -- but
not cheap.

I live in a pretty dry climate, 5A zone.

We're putting in the garden, and I want to make a wall of trellis for
whatever we want to plant on it. I just wanted to do this once, so was
looking for long lasting suggestions.

For plant cages to hold annual vegetables, I use reinforcing mesh.
It works very well, but isn't very pretty. After about a year it
is dark rust colored. I kind of like it, though I suspect my
neighbors aren't as pleased. The oldest I have are about 5 years.
I can't see any reason that they won't last another 10.

Someone up the road from me advertised for some well drilling pipe, and
sucker rods for fences. Is that any good? I'm a retired welder, so if the
cost is okay .......?

Are creosoted railroad ties any good?

Creosote is a carcinogen, so lots of people avoid it. If you don't
care, it is also an irritant. I've never had a problem, but some
people get rashes.

Personally, I haven't seen a source for used ties for over 15 years.

We want the wall to block vision, but
also to put some grapes, berries, cukes, and other good trellis growers, and
rotate them around.

Steve




--
Drew Lawson | If dreams were thunder,
| and lightning was desire,
| This old house would have burnt down
| a long time ago