Brush pile deterioration

I do not have any experience with placing brush in lakes but have thought about it a little. Occasionally I notice that brushpiles or wood cover that I have marked on my HDS seems to vanish over time from what was once a great spot. I have heard that pallets, stake beds/buckets etc are not as good as brush. How long will do piles and man made cover last? I imagine there a lot of factors such as current, type of wood etc. Christmas trees seem to degrade quickly.

Anyone have thoughts or experience in this matter? Just curious.

Thanks
CS

Here in eastern KY I put most stuff out in the fall of the year and add stuff to it every other fall. The problem I'm having is everyone with sidescan finds it and adds to it which in my opinion to much stuff to it. It get's to big and to easy to find.

Depends on if it stays underwater year round or is exposed in the winter during drawdown. My experience is stuff that stays underwater all the time lasts much longer. When it is half in half out of water it gets best by waves. Then when out of water it breaks down faster.

If you want lasting stuff use pvc.