Site Discussions

Thanks for writing about this—I just went out and checked my highbush cranberry and found the beetles!

It took us 3 years to build our 16 x 20 cabin on a ridge overlooking a panoramic mountain view. It is on 70 acres and at the end of the road, even farther in a few hundred yards on a trail. We rent it and people seem to love it. It is off grid yet fully equipped, simple all you need.

My husband and I built it using local fir and spruce (spruce is much harder to peel and has lots of knots;  fir peeled like a banana!) We let the logs sit one year and then peeled them, then they sat another year. (we work slowly)

Using a skid steer we were able to lift the logs up and do a complete log cabin, gable ends, purlins and all! But we had to drag each log about 1/2 mile using an ATV and snowmobiles to the site. (no road) So far no signs of ants or rot. We built on solid concrete blocks dry stacked on ledge we dug to after probing with rebar. No settling either. Keep the logs high off the ground, as the moisture will rot them underneath. And try to keep a solid stain under them every few years.

Compost toilet and wash water collected in rain barrels, pumped up to bathhouse ceiling and kitchen copper vessel and spout using a sump pump and small inverter connected to ATV battery while running. A pretty simple system, all you need. Right now, a 60 year old woman and her two sons are there for 12 days! People love the area, lots to do.

We used solid stain, as the logs were badly greyed by the time we finished and we did not want to bleach them since there was no water or electric to rinse. My husband did a great job corner scribing the saddle notches one by one. We used Perma-chink to seal the joints, expensive but worth it in our opinion. We live in a similar log home and takes a lot to rip it; other materials will crack and let water in. Then you are in for a complete rebuild soon, like in the article.

We love our Camp Winona (named after a friend who died too early from cancer) and are planning to live there temporarily if we ever sell our house and are able to build again. It is nestled in the tall pines, yet has the commanding view of the Andover Valley.

See pictures at:

http://www.facebook.com/CampWinona

If anyone has any questions, happy to answer.

Yes we did, congratulations to Tim Silva of Leominster, MA. You can view our updated answer here: http://northernwoodlands.org/witwit/legless-lollygagger

Ann, I noticed in your article that you said, “The land is open to hunting, fishing, and hiking.”  Was that something that you chose to do?  Or was it a requirement to participate in this program?

So - Are you going to select a new “winner” from the batch of now correct Northern Watersnake entries?

100% northern water snake. I worked at a science center as a kid that had a shallow pond full of frogs (and northern water snakes), and as a result handled dozens of these amazing critters. Color and darkness variations present themselves with age and environment (and with shedding). Wetness also changes the “appearance” of their markings. The triangular head coupled with the red / rust lateral bands + the environmental clue of being near water all add up.

I’m very happy to see the correction!

We have been collecting spruce gum boxes since 1989 and have just shy of 100 of them.  I am putting together some research for a possible exhibit of the collection and wonder if you have any info about the boxes other than what is in your informative article posted on northernwoodlands.org.

Especially interested about the folk art aspects of the boxes, but all info is accepted gratefully.

Thank you for your attention, Bruce Heckman

I’m still not sure what plant I came in contact with but after reading this article I’m going to go check for wild parsnip.  I was weed eating and mowing for my in laws.  The next day I woke up and had the “whip” like marks on my legs and the “boil” like blisters. Never did these marks itch but man did they hurt.  I have had shingles in the past so at first I thought maybe I had it again. The blisters hurt to apply any creams so I didn’t. It never spread just hurt.  I still have the scars on my legs and it’s been 6 weeks. Thank you for giving me an idea of what to look for.

I don’t think they have to keep it from closing, John, as trees up here compartmentalize their wounds. So the rotten part of the tree where the bees make a nest site is essentially walled off from the live parts. See this story we did recently on compartmentalization: http://northernwoodlands.org/articles/article/anatomy-of-an-ice-damaged-sugar-maple/

I wonder, though, if they have a trick for inhibiting decomposition? Something that slows down the rotting of the section they’re living in.

Maybe someone who knows more than I do can chime in.

Very interesting article about the struggles of our regional bats and the efforts taken to ensure their safety.  I was happy to read that swift action has been taken, and continues to be taken, to place many species on the endangered list.

I grew up here in Mt. Holly and never have seen these crawfish - ever!
This summer the Mill Brook is full of them.  I was wondering if hurricane Irene could have been the cause.  If anyone knows anything please let me know.

Discussion is too elementary. I certainly don’t know everything about sharpening saws, so it would be nice if you would discuss some your TRICKS.
Thanks

I hope someone can help…HOW DO THE BEES KEEP THE CAVITY IN A LIVE TREE FROM CLOSING? RESINS?

I’ve always heard that spruce makes a great cabin log, Randy, but hopefully someone who knows more than I do can chime in.

I never knew that was chickory! Thanks for the info.

For those who enjoy looking at beetles in their pools there is a survey currently going on to look for ALB:

http://extension.unh.edu/ALB/ALB_Main.htm

Do you have an opinion as to spruce’s suitability for cabin building?

Well, I built my 3,500 sq.ft., story and one-half out of red pine and white pine I had planted some years ago, in fact one day we had to cut a single red pine just to make a fill-in spot. I treated it all on the outside the next year and only had one problem with carpenter ants which were quickly taken care of. My family, brother-in-law and I built it. Built it in 1975, from March until Halloween. Unfortunately, the wife did not like it, due to bears in the driveway, so in 1985 we sold it.

I do miss that log cabin greatly. Incidentally it was built on an esker of land and in the middle of a red pine plantation.

This recalls Haldane both in information and writing style.  An excellent tribute to two exceptional Biologists.