Muscadine Trellis Systems

The University of Georgia
Cooperative Extension Service

College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Muscadine Trellis Systems
Paul E. Sumner, Extension Engineer

Spacing of rows should be 12 feet apart and 300 to 500 feet in length. Allow 30 feet minimum at ends and breaks for equipment turn arounds.

Recommended trellis construction is the single wire system. Line post should be spaced 20 feet apart. Plant vines next to line post to reduce crop load to the trellis wire. Crop load is the total weight of the fruit, shoots and trunks that are supported by the structure. A trellis for a vineyard should support up to 7 lb/ft of fruiting wire.

Here are the general specifications for a one-wire trellis with wire located at 5 feet above ground level.

POST

Wooden treated posts are preferred. (CCA - chromated copper arsenate, Penta - pentachlorophenol). Do not use creosote or oil-impregnated pentachlorophenol (may cause damage to root stocks) Do not use brushed-applied chemicals or dipped for short periods in wood preservatives.
Line Post - 8 feet long by 4 inches in diameter. Drive 3 feet into ground with a post driver.
End Post - 9 feet long by 5 inches in diameter. Drive 4 feet into ground with one inch offset from the direction of pull at the top of the post. To achieve a 1" lean after driving, a 9 foot post should be leaned 2¹/₄inches.

WIRE

9 gage galvanized or 12¹/₂ gage High-Tensile Fence Wire (Initial tension 250 lbs).

STAPLES

1³/₄ " x 9-gage galvanized (60 staples per pound).
Straddle the wood grain.
Rotate staples 45^o off vertical
Double staple on rises or in dips and on end posts
Do not drive staples home into the wood. (Will increase friction and prevent uniform stretching).

END POST ASSEMBLIES

Failure of anchor-post assemblies my occur by:

Improper Design
Brace span too short
Brace member too light
Toe nailing on brace gives away
Brace set too low on end and brace posts
Posts set too shallow in ground
Poor quality post and brace material
Wires not properly attached to the anchor posts

Figure 1. Horizontal Brace Assembly.

Figure 2. Tie Back Brace Assembly

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State College, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age sex or disability. An Equal Opportunity/affirmative Action Organization Committed to a Diverse Work Force.

Miscellaneous Publication ENG95-005

September 1995

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agriculture and the U. S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

C. Wayne Jordan, Associate Dean for Extension