Poplar helicopter seeds stuck in deck gaps

deck

The gaps in my deck are routinely jammed with "helicopter" poplar seeds, which lodge with the hard seed just above the gap. The "blade" of the seed anchors them so firmly that no blower or pressure washer can dislodge many of them. The only way to get them out is to scrape them with a hook-like blade.

Is there any decking style or installation method that is immune to this problem? (I'm not sure if the "obvious" solution of installing the planks with 1/4" gaps is good.)

Seeds in deck cracks

Best Answer

Use a butter knife and push them through the gaps