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Creosote

Potty LottiePotty Lottie Posts: 45
in Problem solving
hi my husband made a super bespoke trellis for some jasmine to lovingly entwine. A work of art and then he put creosote all over it. Even though the very old tin states it is poison and you can kill tree stumps with it! So,ever knowledgable gardeners, can I use this trellis or is there a way that anyone knows of that makes it usable as I really appreciate the hard work he put into building this for our lovely garden? Or is it a bin it and start all over again?
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,103
    Oh dear ... what a shame  :(  

    It's not good for humans and it will damage plants that come into contact with it.

    http://www.growsonyou.com/question/show/70128 

    Maybe just make him a cuppa and get him to read the above ...  I'll keep out of the way

    duck 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Potty LottiePotty Lottie Posts: 45
    Thank you it is as I thought but now it is confirmed by an expert! Hubby now in deep depressive mode that can only be lifted with the repeated application of beer 😳 Back to square one! 

  • FireFire Posts: 17,352
    I was wondering if you could cover it with something, so that the plants aren't in contact with it.
  • Potty LottiePotty Lottie Posts: 45
    I thought that myself, something like a varnish but thought it may add to the toxicity?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,103
    edited May 2018
    I think that even the fumes affect plants ... 

    will this help?



    or even this ... it is a very hot day ... 



    chops

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FireFire Posts: 17,352
    I had a wee look online to see what covering might work, but nothing turned up. Some proper research might well turn something up. A lot of commentary online says that using creosote in the garden isn't a great problem (as with railway sleepers). You probably don't want it right by the house or get it on you but on a trellis, it might be ok, if you could find a way to stop the plants having direct contact. Having said that, people have used old sleepers forever in the garden. I guess it depends what your research suggests and how wary you are.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,103
    I think that once the trellis has been out in the wind and rain for as long as second-hand railway sleepers have been it'll probably be ok ..... :/

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Potty LottiePotty Lottie Posts: 45
    edited May 2018
    Both will hit the spot I think Dove! I think we are resigned to not using it with the plants as it has taken nearly 3 years to establish the evergreen jasmine in this spot so don’t want to take any chances. And as it is to hold and support close contact is the order of the day. 
    I think beer and a rethink......maybe tomorrow when beer head has cleared and start again. Such a shame but I am sure he will think of a non human/plant use for the structures as nothing is wasted! Thanks to all. 
  • Potty LottiePotty Lottie Posts: 45
    P.s. he has stopped crying now..........🍺🍺🍺
  • FireFire Posts: 17,352
    I'm sure some good use can be found, your creativity and ingenuity having taken you this far. Good luck with it.
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