Trellis Construction Workbook

This Trellis Construction Workbook compares two trellis designs. You may choose a single high wire or multiple wire system. The workbook is interactive and designed to enter your farm's costs to establish your preferred plan.

There are several assumptions made which, are outlined on the Title tab of the workbook. The parameters are adjustable, and you are encouraged to find your costs (including shipping) and enter those in the cells with the red numbers. Then, the workbook completes the calculations for you.   

The end and line posts may be the same diameter and, an h design is pictured above. The line posts are driven to a depth of three feet, while the end posts are driven four feet in the ground. The distance between posts is adjustable, as well as the length of the rows.

There are yellow boxes at the bottom of the sheet to choose your leader support and tree attachment option. If using leader support, you will need to fasten that to the wire(s). The Evans Tree Guide clips on the top wire and extends to your desired distance from the soil. The site includes short videos covering installation. They are manufactured to your desired length. There are also examples of steel stakes and conduit, and you may use your method.

The tree attachment options box also has several options from which to choose. Pick your option and enter the cost and amount you use per tree. The length of tying material may vary for each tree and producer.

Calculate your number of staples and cost of the wire per foot and enter those numbers into the appropriate yellow box. These options are on both spreadsheets.

Add the costs of all tools and divide by the number of years of useful life, then that number is divided by the average number of acres you plant per year. Use that calculation in the cell for Costs of tools per acre.

The Results tab allows you to compare the two potential system costs which, assists in the decision-making process.