Carving Eden out of the Wilderness...

am1too · #61 02/07/11, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyDoc

Stickyburr,

I have definitely given some thought to pigs. Probably not early on, but at some point. And you're definitely right about the compost - with the limbs that fall after a big wind storm, I'm thinking about investing in a PTO driven chipper. Just wish they weren't so expensive.

ronbre:

I was planning on leaving the trees that are on the property line. They are blazed and seem to me to be a pretty good marker of the boarder. Not sure about using them as fence posts though. I was thinking about putting the fence line just inside of them. Not sure what the effect of nailing the woven wire would be on the trees, or what the tree growth would do to the fense.
I don't plan on clearing any area completely. My goal is silvopasture - a combination of forest and pasture, that should be sustainable indefinitely.
I am thinking about nuts and fruit treas near the house. Pecans are an obvious choice. Anyone have other suggestions that would do well in georgia?

Freya:

OK, you asked for it. For anyone interested, I've posted a pretty extensive update of our current plans here:

http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/sho...66#post4917066

All things considered it is cheeper for meto burn all my brush and haul compost from a near by town than it is is to chip by any means - owning or renting. Have a huge ash pile. I only have bout 800 more trees on a 10 acre parcel to cut. I had so many trees one couldn't see the sky. They thought they were grass. I have cut probaly 500 that were any where from 2"- 6" and 20' high. One couldn't walk through them. My geen briar was as thick as a curtin in patches and tree top tall. It sure burns hot. Got one more good sized patch to go. I cut my trees at ground level and in 4 yrs have rotted pretty well. I just cover them with organic matter and mow. Last year had wood oats 5' high. The compost I bring in grows very nice grass. I use it mostly as land fill. Will start spreading it a couple inches deep in rows 4' wide, water and mow. Sold some native wild sand plumbs last year for jelly. Put some out on shares for personal use jelly. Ummm! good! gourmet stuff.

fantasymaker · #62 02/07/11, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyDoc

For everyone,
I've been thinking about what type of perimeter fence to put in. It will cover almost two miles of fence line, so it can't be too expensive. I had planned on barb wire. But maybe a two (or three) strand high tension electrical fence would be better. Any thoughts?

I see that you have had the surveyors great start! Then the next step would be a dog tight fence.Anything that keeps dogs out will keep most things in. Id think about a 3x3 inch mesh on the bottom 4 feet of fence and a lighter and bigger sheep mesh on the top 3 or 4 feet. A smooth hot wire on top and if you find you need it a hot wire on the outside near the bottom.
Set your fence in six inches from the line so that with standoffs your bottom hot wire will be RIGHT ON the line.

You have a great excuse for building a fence like this if anyone saysanything just say "Thats how they build them in the Army isnt that how your supposed to do it?"
Or rent a lion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyDoc

LOL! If you happen to have a 20 ft high ceiling we might be able to find something for you....

update:

The surveyors were out the end of the week, and I went out yesterday to walk the perimeter and put more permanent stakes in. It was a hot (95+) sweaty time, but I think the kids and I made a lasting family memory together.

Hey those 20 foot christmass trees bring BIG bucks! LOl ,But honestly though any 20 foot tree has a 4,5,6,7,or 8 footer in the top. Ive cut many a little tree from a big one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldcountryboy

Ditto! Sounds like he's taking a piece of paradise and turning it into Carp!

Learn to live with nature and it will feed you Doc!

Sorry Doc, I have a hard time seeing forrested land being clear cut when theres plenty of pasture land for sell everywhere..

But since your not familiar with the area you probably don't realise that its cropland pine ,pretty much the same as corn even in rows!

taylorlambert · #63 02/07/11, 06:24 PM

On the clearing I have a friend that pulp woods in his spare time. He cuts smaller tracts tat larger loggers wont botrher to move on. He doesnt have the big insurance tha t the mills reuire you to truck it in. We do have a larger mill/ logger that takes trees from logs to pulp from the public. My frined makes a good living at it. e manages a smallwood lot on his place to. He uses a tractor with a loader and a 2 ton truck. THey give a percentage to the land owner about half I think. Pulp is up in the area now.

canfossi · #64 02/08/11, 11:27 AM

Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. If you can live on the property, that would be best. Then you may reduce your travel costs and time travelling. Just do things in stages and try not to get overwelmed. I built my house in the bush and it wasn't easy, but I have things almost completed, 4 yrs later. Don't let that discourage you, not everything will go as planned, but hang in. Good Luck! Chris

ArmyDoc · #65 02/08/11, 05:22 PM

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the encouragement. It's slowly coming together. Hardest part is the waiting right now. Things are actually coming along, it just seems to be going slow. I'm sure it will pick up next year once the building site is cleared and we start on the house. Even more so once we move in, because I'll finally be able to do stuff myself instead of relying on other people.