In another thread we talked about labeling trees. The final solution was ben a coathanger into a stake and attach a bit of aluminum pop can to the top (writing on the aluminum makes dents that can be read for many years).

This all turned out to be excellent except for one point. The coat hangers will rust! In a few years, the market will have fallen over.

It seems that the ultimate solution is to do the same thing, but use aluminum wire instead of the coat hanger wire.

Anybody know of sources for this kind of wire?

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), April 08, 2001

Answers

Response to looking for aluminum wire

I could be wrong , but I think you can get aluminum fence wire.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), April 08, 2001.

Response to looking for aluminum wire

Paul! A good source of aluminum wire is a local electrical contractor. They use alum wire quite a lot in entrance loops. Large sized [2-000 and 4-000] are used in 200 amp meter loops. I don't know how long the wire needs to be but these can be unwound and produce several as it's stranded. Each strand is fairly stiff and would support a ribbon to mark it's location. They could also be painted too. Anyhow, electricians always have scrap left over and should give you some. I would-and I will but don't know where you're located.

Aluminum will also disintergrate in the soil-probably quicker than coathangers-especialy if the soil is "acid-dy". It will eat the alum up quite quickly. Copper is also not any better than aluminum--it is easily eaten up too by the acid in the soil. Solution? I use rebar--- lasts longer than I will-- probably. ole hoot. Matt. 24:44

-- ole hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), April 08, 2001.

Response to looking for aluminum wire

Use some good strong galvanised fence wire - look for an old broken down fence and get the snips out!

Eric

-- Eric J Methven (e_methven@btinternet.com), April 08, 2001.

Response to looking for aluminum wire

you can use copper wire,, it;ll turn green,, bu tthtas all

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), April 08, 2001.

Paul, If you go to any farmer's co-op you can purchase electric fence wire which is aluminum and is a heavy gauge.

-- Glenn (gj_usa1@yahoo.com), April 15, 2001.