Drive a nail into the barrel & bend it in the direction the bamboo will be angled. Insert the open ends of the bamboo poles over the nails & cross them. Bind them tightly together where they cross & the superstructure will not allow them to move under either vertical or lateral loading (weight or wind). You can accomplish the same thing by drilling larger holes in the barrel and inserting the bamboo into the holes. Also, drill holes in barrel for wire to go through so you can lash to the barrel & then again where poles cross.

Al

Hi Al,

Thanks very much for your response. I guess I am not sure how to do exactly what you are saying. I get putting the nail in and bending it, and I get placing the bamboo hole over the nail. I don't understand what you mean by 'crossing them'? Cross them how? I have three poles in each container, and they meet at the top and are secured there. Are you suggesting something different then that? Or 'binding them together where they cross'? When you say bind them do you mean tie string around the bamboo?

Thanks :-)

Ever see pics of how cauldrons were supported with three sticks jammed into the ground & lashed together at the apex? If you put a lashing where the three sticks cross, and secure the three legs, the superstructure will be extremely strong. I don't have much time now (work), but I'll show a pic, but it's not great. You should lash where they cross, not above, as shown,

Al

Here is a link that might be useful: I think second down on right.

Hi Al,

OK, I am doing it that way already but just didn't describe it the same way..lol. I had to look up apex. [g], but the definition clarified things for me. I think I understand now that when you say cross, you mean gathering the tops of the bamboo poles together and tying them where they cross. While the three 'legs' of the bamboo tripod are spread out at triangle points in the container, right? I thought you might have meant tying them together at the wider point down at the base, just above the top of the container.

Well, anyway, I am pretty sure I have the picture. I will let you know how it goes and when it is done I will send a photo.

Thanks :-)

I'll/we'll look forward to it (pics). I knew you'd figure it out. ;o)

Al

No pics yet, but just wanted to let you know that we got it done and it came out great. Actually we anchored it by screwing some eye hooks into the bottom of the whiskey barrel, drilling holes through the bottom of the bamboo poles and tied the bamboo to the bottom with cord. It has already gone through some windy weather and seems to be doing great. Thanks for the help and the ideas..I definitely will be taking photos. Already have some pole beans sprouted in the barrels and will post a photo as soon as I can.

:-)

Finally got some photos of the barrels with the tripods. Thanks again for all your help! :-)

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Want to see your high bar routine please. ;o)

Looks good

Al

Actually Al, I would like to see my high bar routine! [g] So far about the only one doing high bar routine is the mourning dove. I'm waiting for the squirrels next..lol.

I will try to come back with photos after the pole beans are up the poles. I am hoping I can keep the foliage from being eaten by something. :-)

Thanks again ...

Why tripod when it's easy to fan out and gain much more airspace? I took 4 1x2 battens and screwed them to the side of the barrel, then added horizontals at ~2.5' intevals. I then added wires from the bottom horizontals to the top to give climbing holds.

I have sugar snaps and pole beans in similar barrels to this one with Zuccheta Rampicante.

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I would have anchored the bamboo on pieces of rebar, driven into the ground through holes in the bottom of the whiskey barrels. After driving the rebar, fill the barrel, and slide a 3" length of black poly tube over the rebar, so the bamboo sits on the poly instead of the soil. This way, the bamboo lasts much longer.