I consider myself extremely lucky that I have a friend with about 100 acres of woods within walking distance. I can harvest all of the rock maple saplings that I want. I cut them at 11 1/2 foot lengths, with the bottom diameter at about 3 inches. They will last for about 4 to 5 years before replacing. In return, I haul out the trash left on the land by high school partiers.
I once had a stock of 120 poles, which translates to 30 four-pole teepees, which again translates to 720 pole bean plants. I'm at the age where it's getting to be quite the chore.
If pole beans weren't so tasty, compared to bush beans, I likely wouldn't be doing this.
