Log Paths

Hi, i seen this photo from shrewsbury flower show which i thought looks great and i wouldnt mind a path similar
After googling i havnt found much info and most says use cedar wood,has anyone made a log path and do you have to use cedar or would any tree be siutable,thanks julie

 

You could use Oak I guess.
Just my thoughts but is it really practical?

 

I've seen a beautiful wall made like that but I would imagine a path made with it would get slippy and slimey.

Cedar or teak (if you can get it) are very good woods for weathering.

 

Thanks,im not planning on doing huge section,im gormless enough to trip on an uneven bit ,i read if its cut by chainsaw its rough so its not slippy and to coat with based water proofer?
2 inch thickness thou does not seem deep enough to me

 

Wont it quickly become rotten, slippery, discoloured?

The path in the pic does look really nice, but it would do for the duration of the show. I wonder how easy it would be to keep it looking that good.

 

No idea,i thought maybe someone may have made one,there isnt a lot showing on google images with info, just seemed like a nice path if it could be done cheap...ish
Its natural and i like the idea x

 

I'm guessing that two inches is thicker than most paving slabs, but I definitely think timber is a different proposition.
It absorbs much more water and would stay wetter longer, its likely to split after a short time also.
What would you would fill in around them with?

Something like bark, maybe?

 

hi pete,this seems to be the most useful info ive read..
So here is the Answer to most Of Your Questions Having Done This ,and It Really Does Come out looking amazing. First don't Worry about Rot by simply Painting on a few coats of water Based Water Proofer to both sides of the wood . The same as used on decks and Fences . If you are in an Area where you would Worry about Termites simply buy a few blocks of candle wax melt in pot and brush on to bottom side of wood also Good for extra water proofing All as someone had said in one blog Placing Cedar chips in the soil around the logs will help and Baking Soda Will keep the Weeds Away just Sprinkle some in and Water it in. Finally don't worry about Slipping On These Logs As they are Usually Cut By Chain Saw And Will Have A Rough and Rugged surface as is. Don't use Sand Between Coats it will prematurely peal off the water Proofing Finishes you use. Thanks for Reading hope this Answers all your Questions

 

Sounds wonderful Julie.
I'm guessing its from the USA?

Termites we dont get, 9 months of damp, we do.
Ceadar, (western red) not easy to find here, more available over there I would think.

Stepping "stones" might last a few years, cant think cutting with a chain saw is going to make them rough enough once they get a quarter inch of moss on them.

You can sometimes get paving slabs that look like tree sections, but are made of concrete.
Or maybe I shouldn't mention that.

 

I'm going to branch out on a limb here because I know not what I'm on about, but here's a thought.

If you're less bothered about the type of wood, I can see this being viable in a way. I've heard that you can buy bulk loads of wood from the saw mills quite cheap. Its the bits of tree trunk that aren't straight enough or otherwise worthy of being cut for timber. I guess after the initial build, you could replace pieces individually as and when they become no good any more.

 

Mention all you know..i have no idea,i thought maybe this was a easy natural looking path that maybe hopefully many may have made in the uk but its not looking that way.
Possibly it could work in tree land areas then in the uk but not on my garden ..which is very open to the elements x

 

I have a Leylandii that was cut off flush with the ground just by a small gate; its right next to the house, so we can't easily dig out the stump. I guess its an inch or so above the surrounding ground (so can drain away a bit). Rough cut by chainsaw as described. Obviously NOT treated in any way, but we've been here 7 years and its so far shown no signs of rot ...

One thing I can say: its lethal when wet :(

I suppose suggest some fake ones, made from faux rock, would be out of the question or look completely naff and unrealistic?

 

Aha! I recognise that picture - it's one I've save in my gardening file; I would love to have a path like that in the copse end of my garden! And, I did some reading up on it too, Geoff Hamilton made one but didn't specify a particular wood (although the man who came to take down our willow recommended oak).

Geoff recommended they should be six inches in depth and covered with a wire netting to avoid any dangerous slipping when they are wet. Just staple the wire to the sides of the logs; the wire 'weathers' after a couple of months and then it's barely noticeable.

Now, he didn't say why they should be six inches in depth, but I'm guessing weight will have something to do with it?

 

I found this aswell but again its says cedar..http://www.greatstems.com/2011/08/new-cedar-log-path-creates-woodland-zen.html

That sounds a good idea mum,much safer

Would it be expensive to do..i will have to google them kristen as ive never seen them

 

Good idea! I've walked up many a set of wooden steps that have used that method, definitely works well

Takes longer to rot maybe?