I tend to drag things out, so I didn't start this thread 'til now since then the time pressure begins. But, it's progressing and I've made mention a couple of times, so I'm starting this thread.
I inherited ~70ac of north Miss hill country 3 years ago. Its all wooded, mostly 7 yo loblolly pine on top and old-growth hardwood downhill. There's a year-round stream across it that I built a bridge across to access the back side. I bought Katy, an L35, for general clean-up use and I need to get her out of my sister's shed and have space of my own.
I picked a spot close to and parallel with the power line that serves the area. So I can get power installed cheaply, and it's accessible. Unfortunately, it was harvested and replanted about 7 years ago, so it had a thick stand of pine and weed sweetgums ranging 1 to 6 inches, as well as a half dozen pine stumps 24 - 30". Katy and I pulled, dug, cut and hauled trees and vines for a while, a real bonding opportunity, to make an 80x100' clearing.
(I'm reposting these pictures for completeness)
Shortly after Katy and I began
Almost finished
(In case you're wondering, those tall trees in the background are a patch that were thinned during the harvest, they're about 25 years old.)
Toward the end, I discovered that the ground on top of this hill is not red clay but yellowish loess about 6 ft thick. There's a narrow band on the east side of the Mississippi delta. Also, previous owners apparently created some terraces for farming. You can sort of make out one on the left side of the second picture. There will be a 1 - 2' drop behind the shed.
I finally arrived at a 30x60 size. 30' gives reasonable size wood trusses and is the depth of my sister's shed, which has worked well. I thought I would have space for longer, but 60' fits and will be plenty.
I'm planning a stick frame with wood trusses on 4' centers. 10' walls, LP SmartSide sheet siding, metal roof.
After phone dancing with the local concrete guru for a few days, he came out yesterday, looked it over, gave me a price and I said ok. He said he'd probably start today or Saturday. I thought, we'll see. It rained last night and there was no sign of him this morning about 9, so I assumed a rain-out. It showered most of the day, but when I came back from town around 4, I met him on the highway. I checked again and he had dropped off form boards and had stakes and string laid out. I don't know if he'll be able to work tomorrow.
But I'm committed now so I've started this thread. Just don't expect progress at breakneck speed.
I inherited ~70ac of north Miss hill country 3 years ago. Its all wooded, mostly 7 yo loblolly pine on top and old-growth hardwood downhill. There's a year-round stream across it that I built a bridge across to access the back side. I bought Katy, an L35, for general clean-up use and I need to get her out of my sister's shed and have space of my own.
I picked a spot close to and parallel with the power line that serves the area. So I can get power installed cheaply, and it's accessible. Unfortunately, it was harvested and replanted about 7 years ago, so it had a thick stand of pine and weed sweetgums ranging 1 to 6 inches, as well as a half dozen pine stumps 24 - 30". Katy and I pulled, dug, cut and hauled trees and vines for a while, a real bonding opportunity, to make an 80x100' clearing.
(I'm reposting these pictures for completeness)
Shortly after Katy and I began
Almost finished
(In case you're wondering, those tall trees in the background are a patch that were thinned during the harvest, they're about 25 years old.)
Toward the end, I discovered that the ground on top of this hill is not red clay but yellowish loess about 6 ft thick. There's a narrow band on the east side of the Mississippi delta. Also, previous owners apparently created some terraces for farming. You can sort of make out one on the left side of the second picture. There will be a 1 - 2' drop behind the shed.
I finally arrived at a 30x60 size. 30' gives reasonable size wood trusses and is the depth of my sister's shed, which has worked well. I thought I would have space for longer, but 60' fits and will be plenty.
I'm planning a stick frame with wood trusses on 4' centers. 10' walls, LP SmartSide sheet siding, metal roof.
After phone dancing with the local concrete guru for a few days, he came out yesterday, looked it over, gave me a price and I said ok. He said he'd probably start today or Saturday. I thought, we'll see. It rained last night and there was no sign of him this morning about 9, so I assumed a rain-out. It showered most of the day, but when I came back from town around 4, I met him on the highway. I checked again and he had dropped off form boards and had stakes and string laid out. I don't know if he'll be able to work tomorrow.
But I'm committed now so I've started this thread. Just don't expect progress at breakneck speed.
