Hazel supports

[batpixie]

Hi,

I need more long supports for beans/tomatoes etc and am reluctant to go out and buy bamboo. I have a couple of Hazel trees growing in the garden and they have some nice long, straight sticks on them. If I cut them, do they need any preparation (drying out etc) before I can use them as supports?

Thanks

[scarey55]

I don't really know the answer but I cut a load last year and used them straight away as bean poles etc. and they worked for me. I would say, cut them down and, if you can, leave them until you need them.

[HeyWayne]

I used Ash the year before last.

Waited until they'd lost all their leaves (and the birds had flown) and then simply cut them down, kept them stored somewhere and plunged them straight into the ground as bean supports. They were fine.

[batpixie]

Thanks, I'll give it a go.