What timber mount board for Staghorn?

[Marg1962]

I've been given a staghorn to be mounted onto a timber mount board. I'd like to know what sort of timber would be best?

[Jason]

Hi @Marg1962,

Let me kick off the discussion by tagging the ever-helpful @Jewelleryrescue. He shared Project Staghorn on old fence pailing with the community which you might like to emulate.

A couple of our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts are taking a well-earned break at the moment, so apologies that there might be a bit of a delay before one of the team can get back to you with their thoughts on other options. 

Thanks,

Jason

[EricL]

Hi @Marg1962 

I propose using Think Timber benchtops, they come in several varieties and are very strong and dependable. If sanded and oiled properly you can get an amazing finish on its surface. They are 32mm thick and if you have the tools and facilities to join benchtops together you can put it on top of one another and get a 64mm thick piece of timber. 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know. 

Eric

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @Marg1962 

To answer your question best timber is hardwood raw like timber palings as it is closest to a  tree they grow on. Ply would be a second  cost effective  choice. But they will grow on any surface with a bit of a rough texture so they can grip  as they grow, Elks  grow on the outside and radiate out in layers covering and gripping the tree that way.  If you  have a nice tree they will grow on that to with a large diameter trunk.

Enjoy  your elk horn.

I use old fence palings Or new  ones if you buy them stag horns will get quite  big so I mount them on a 1 metre x 1 metre square board.

Untreated palings will last 20 years and you can let the stag grow onto a wall as well if you dont want to move them.

I hang mine the SOUTH side of the house  under the eaves or in a sheltered spot out of hasrh sun.  I feed them  occasional banana skin as a treat in the wild they  capture falling leave matter.

You have seen a regular timber fence with  a top and bottom rail with vertical paling slats thats how i make the 1 metre square board for the stag horn.

Stag horns grow on trees in the bush so I find the hardwood timber  slats un treated to be close to there nateral environment as the rough timber allows them to attach better as they grow.  Initially you  attach them  with a single wire around the belly shape of the plant to hold them in place.

You can use smaller timber size if you want the stag will grow in increasing layers on the outside and expand out over the wall I use the larger timber incase i want to move them.

You can also use approx 10  mm thick ply wood  as a guide.  With  ply I would paint it  with any external  paint so it lasts longer.

OR 

897 x 600mm 7mm Plywood Pine BC Grade

3.3 (9)

I/N: 0390152

897 x 600mm 7mm Plywood Pine BC Grade

3.3 (9)

I/N: 0390152

897 x 600mm 7mm Plywood Pine BC Grade   $19.40 bunnings.

One of my stag horns at purchase time ( Iscrewed the small ply board onto the palings.)

Three  years  later note the south side of house location under the eaves with watering drip line in case rain dosnt get to them.