Wednesday, May 1, 2002

Recent wood innovation ideal for gardens

Wood is a natural in garden construction, but what type of wood is best for your garden?

Whether building retaining walls on a sloped site, improving soil with raised beds or simply defining the edge of a planted area, wood has been a favorite construction material for residential gardens. Wood is readily available, easily cut and fastened with common tools, and blends with natural settings.

For wood structures that will endure in a backyard, the usual choice is pressure-treated wood. Its chemical protection helps this lumber resists termite and rot damage for decades.

A recent innovation in wood preservation provides the same longevity as traditional treated wood but uses a different preservative chemical. Although there have been no reports of adverse effects from the traditional treatment, known as CCA, some people have questioned its suitability in close proximity to food plants. This alternative type of preserved lumber is called Wolmanized Natural Select wood.

Developed in Europe and now in use on four continents, the preservative is copper-based with an organic fungicide for supplementary protection. It was introduced in the United States in 2001. Natural Select wood is produced with two levels of protection above ground or ground contact so it can be used for everything from fence pickets and landscape timbers to tomato stakes and the walls of raised beds. Other uses include outdoor play structures, decks and gazebos.

This lumber was installed in late 2001 at the Woodlawn EcoScape garden in Birmingham, Ala. This project, which has involved the Southern Environmental Center of Birmingham Southern College along with local garden clubs and various other organizations, incorporates more than 2000 linear feet of Natural Select timbers, used mainly for the construction of raised beds.

Members of the Woodlawn neighborhood are tending the gardens, and much of the produce grown there is going to a community kitchen sponsored by the adjacent church. A growing number of lumber dealers across the country keep the product in stock, and many dealers will place orders for their customers upon request.

Its appearance is much like the slightly greenish color of traditional treated wood and it turns a honey brown color before eventually fading to gray after extended exposure to sunlight. As with other types of treated wood, it can be stained or painted.

No maintenance is needed to retain its termite and rot resistance, but it should be coated periodically with water repellent to minimize normal cracking and warping caused by moisture.

Gardeners now have another choice for structures they want to blend with natural surroundings yet endure outdoor conditions for years.

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