September 14, Pleaching

Started trying a couple of approaches to training the hornbeams along the east fence to create a hedge. For this first try, I ended up running a line of culinary twine between the trees and then bending and tying branches from each to the line. I completed the lowest line yesterday evening and plan to have a total of four or five tiers, with the top one 12-15 feet above the ground.

Three levels on the southern most pair of trees

Don't know how durable the cotton culinary twine will be. If needed, I will go to wire. All the literature sources I've seen so far recommend installation of a formal framework consisting of bamboo or cane and wires.

Our hornbeams are a little more mature than shown, but working with the supple branches, we are hopeful we can meld them together.

By the end of the day, I had about 50% of the first three tiers done. Still plan to put another one or two higher tiers. That will be ladder work.

We took the Audi in for its 55,000 mile maintenance. While that was happening, we had lunch and visited our favorite West County pond shop. T described to them the green stuff that has been growing in our pond. They took us out to their pond and, sure enough, they had it also. The lady said it was string (or hair) algae and said it was hard to prevent. She suggested an algaecide that supposedly works fast, is selective to algae and will not harm the fish. We bought a bottle. Doing a little research, it seems that it can be effective IF it is done correctly. If not, it can kill the fish.