Clematis for hand drill hearth - dead or alive?

[palmnut]

A sister thread for my Elder for hand-drill thread.

Been looking around for clematis for the hearth. The only stuff I can find dead-standing is pretty degraded, at least on the outside. Is this what is needed, or would I be better harvesting living wood, cutting it down to heath size and letting it dry for a few months?

Peter

 

[Kepis]

Dead standing is fine, as long as it's not gone punky it works, you are looking for stuff that looks like this when the bark has been removed

This is what the above looks like now it's been pared down into boards.

Dont throw the bark away, it makes a first class tinder or can be made into a really good cordage

Hope this helps?

 

[palmnut]

Dead standing is fine...

But will cut live then seasoned work too, or does it need to be a little spalted to work?

Peter

 

[Kepis]

But will cut live then seasoned work too, or does it need to be a little spalted to work?

Peter

Live cut and dried would work, but ive always figured the plant has taken so many years to grow that big and climb up, that it seems a crying shame to cut it down for the sake of a few boards, especially, if like it is here, when there is normally so much dead stuff around.

 

[Neumo]

Kepis, can I ask what you are using for the hand drill spindle, as I am after some to practice with. I did a session at the moot where I got lots of useful information so am keen to give it a go but am stuck for hand drill material. They mentioend teal I think but I cant remember the others. Thanks

 

[Kepis]

Kepis, can I ask what you are using for the hand drill spindle, as I am after some to practice with. I did a session at the moot where I got lots of useful information so am keen to give it a go but am stuck for hand drill material. They mentioend teal I think but I cant remember the others. Thanks

I use Elder stems and Mullein, although i use Elder more than i use Mullein do to it availability around here, ive used Teasel in the past as well

I'll bring a couple of sets along to the meet on the 8th, so people can have a go,

 

[rich59]

I have found good hand drills from - elder, mullein, teasel, buddlea.

Others to consider are philadelphus, burdock, rambling rose (some), blackcurrent,