Any one use mail box metal anchor stakes to secure monkey poles ?

[vp999]

Has anyone use metal mailbox anchor stakes for 4x4 for monkey poles? I need more display area for my bonsai and thinking about using these to secure instead of the typical digging holes and cement. The main reason is my back yard has lots of big roots so the digging would be a lot of work and its also on a slope and I want something that would be removable in the future. Your thoughts on this?

The link to the anchor:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oz-Post...Vxp-zCh0RWQsREAQYAyABEgLakfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[sorce]

I like it and would only consider possible drawbacks, like animals more easily having access. Tripping hazards.

Maybe skip stakes and tie right to roots?

It is ...

Very Possible and there are 999 reasons.

Sorce

 

[vp999]

Thanks Sorce !

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Great for clay soils, not deep enough for sandy soils, or soft, easy to dig soils.

 

[vp999]

Great for clay soils, not deep enough for sandy soils, or soft, easy to dig soils.

My back yard is full of clay soil. Thanks Leo!

 

[rockm]

If your trees weigh over 35 lbs or so each, these are iffy. No substitute for digging a post hole (no cement needed) three feet deep for an anchor. I live next to a forest. I have tree roots too. Make the effort. having a tree on a stand blow over and lose 20 years of work is not fun...

 

[vp999]

Thank you!

 

[RKatzin]

If you can't dig or just dont want to, a couple of alternatives are common and successful.
One is to stake your upright in place then build a four foot square box around the base, eight to ten inches high. Fill the box with rocks or gravel. Now build a two foot box on top of that and fill. You can go one more layer if you want or install two x two braces at this point. You can set pots on each level or accent plants.
Another way is to use galvanized fencing like dog wire for smaller rocks or hog wire if you've got big chunky rocks. Warp a good three foot circle around the upright about three feet tall and fill with rocks. That will usually hold up a fence post and doesn't look as bad as it sounds once it's covered with hens and chicks and moss.

 

[vp999]

If you can't dig or just dont want to, a couple of alternatives are common and successful.
One is to stake your upright in place then build a four foot square box around the base, eight to ten inches high. Fill the box with rocks or gravel. Now build a two foot box on top of that and fill. You can go one more layer if you want or install two x two braces at this point. You can set pots on each level or accent plants.
Another way is to use galvanized fencing like dog wire for smaller rocks or hog wire if you've got big chunky rocks. Warp a good three foot circle around the upright about three feet tall and fill with rocks. That will usually hold up a fence post and doesn't look as bad as it sounds once it's covered with hens and chicks and moss.

Great ideas ! Never thought of that, thank you so much!

 

[Dav4]

I had a large oak tree take out or damage more then 40 % of my benches in 12/17 after a freak 1ft heavy snow fall. The ground here is extremely heavy, red clay and almost impossible to dig. I decided to try the mailbox anchors available at Home Depot to foot the legs of the new, heavy duty benches. I splintered more then a few smaller lengths of 4"x4" hammering them in with a maul. Over 2 years later and the benches are just as plumb (or not plumb ) as the day they were built... and my trees are pretty big.

 

[vp999]

I had a large oak tree take out or damage more then 40 % of my benches in 12/17 after a freak 1ft heavy snow fall. The ground here is extremely heavy, red clay and almost impossible to dig. I decided to try the mailbox anchors available at Home Depot to foot the legs of the new, heavy duty benches. I splintered more then a few smaller lengths of 4"x4" hammering them in with a maul. Over 2 years later and the benches are just as plumb (or not plumb ) as the day they were built... and my trees are pretty big.
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Man ..thats some awesome benches! Im so glad you included the pics, it's giving me some guidance because the area that Im planning to build the monkey poles and maybe benches is on a slope just like yours.

 

[Carol 83]

I had a large oak tree take out or damage more then 40 % of my benches in 12/17 after a freak 1ft heavy snow fall. The ground here is extremely heavy, red clay and almost impossible to dig. I decided to try the mailbox anchors available at Home Depot to foot the legs of the new, heavy duty benches. I splintered more then a few smaller lengths of 4"x4" hammering them in with a maul. Over 2 years later and the benches are just as plumb (or not plumb ) as the day they were built... and my trees are pretty big.
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Do you have a ski lift to get up and down that hill?

 

[vp999]

I think he has one are these:

 

[Dav4]

Do you have a ski lift to get up and down that hill?

Strong calves...

 

[RKatzin]

I hear that Dave, I live on the side of a mountain so no matter which way i go it's either up hill or down.
I see how those work for a bench, in tandem supported by the bench top. How would you rate it for a single post with a platform and a bonsai on top.?

 

[Dav4]

I hear that Dave, I live on the side of a mountain so no matter which way i go it's either up hill or down.
I see how those work for a bench, in tandem supported by the bench top. How would you rate it for a single post with a platform and a bonsai on top.?

I have 2 single post/monkey pole stands. They do wiggle a bit, but they set off away from foot/dog traffic and only have medium to smaller trees placed on them so do fine

 

[Mike Corazzi]

So I went into the forest and cleared the trees to make space for the lumber to build benches for trees.

Who said we were crazy?

 

[Adair M]

Do you have a ski lift to get up and down that hill?

Now you see why he only has cascades, semi-cascades, and trees with drop branches!
And if you think his back yard is steep, you show see them front yard! (Think James Bond movies with the gondolas hanging over 1000 foot drops!!!)

 

[ShaneRoberson]

I made this one today. The stake is 24” into ground.

 

[vp999]

Nice !!! I’m working on my little bonsai display area for the past couple days, working on slope land ain’t fun lol. Will post pics when I’m done.