Hingeing hurdle gate

[shep]

I've just made a hurdle gate to fit between a fence post and an ancient ash. It's made from green sweet chestnut and has a pleasing curve to the uprights as the split has followed the knots of the wood.

So given the gate is not square and the tree is not square and the fence post isn't straight, does anyone have any good ideas about the best way to hinge it on the fence post side, and latch it on the tree side.

Would a rope hinge give the best flexibility, in which case any suggestions on knots? Is there a nice green wood solution I could add on to what I've made?

 

[shaggystu]

you could use a forked stick bolted to the bottom of your gate so that the "Y" of the fork rests against your gate post, if you fasten a rope hinge to the top of the same side then the weight of the gate creates a cantilever effect keeping the fork in place againt the gate post (does that make sense?).

cheers

stuart

 

[Toddy]

Old gates used to use leather hinges, though I like the sound of Stuart's idea

cheers,
M

 

[shep]

That's a great idea Stuart and thanks Toddy. I think I'll combine the two of you!