Long Straw

Long straw (Devon reed) has been around since water reed was first used. It is harvested in a similar way as combed straw but it does not come out of the thrashing machine straight and organised. Instead it is broken the complete length of the straw, it is then put into a bed, where it is soaked and drawn out into yelms. This makes it longer in length, hence the name.

It is sparred to the roof in the same as water reed and combed straw.

The long straw will last at most 20 years, as long as it is free from nitrogen and fertilisers. It is still a commonly used roofing material, but it is slightly higher in cost. We are now producing our own Long Straw and Combed Wheat Straw, and this year we will harvest around 100 acres.

The finished roof will require wire netting as with the combed straw, to stop birds from pulling at it.