My new neighbor is an antiquer and she sometimes brings me things she thinks I might like.

Like this:

Problem is, neither of us knows what it is.  It’s pretty big (about 4 ft. across), made of wire, and was found near a barn.

We are guessing it has something to do with hay?

I have two questions:

1.  What in the world is it?

2.  Do you have any suggestions of something neat to use it for in the garden?

Help, Able Reader.

UPDATE:  Thanks to Greg and Laurie (via email), the mystery is solved.  It’s a wire tree basket, used for transporting balled and burlap trees.  Like these: http://www.centralohiobagandburlap.com/c-13-braun-wire-tree-baskets.aspx

Still thinking of ways to use it in the garden, maybe as a plant support/cage?  Still open to suggestions.

Thanks everyone, for your input.  It looks bigger in person than it does in the photo.  I should have put something next to it for comparison when I shot the pic.