Hello from the Pocono Mountains

[MoonShadows]

Thanks, CJ. I am using Tamarack wood I get from a guy who owns a local sawmill, and it is untreated. It is extremely rot resistant, even more than redwood or black locust. It is native to Canada.

 

[CJ1]

Ok. They're pretty strict about importing wood from out of state. I imagine I could get it from a big box store or something here. But those "specality woods" are super expensive.

 

[MoonShadows]

It is in the US, too. Look for Tamarack or Larch wood, another name for it. I doubt if you would be able to get it in a big box store. I had 10' x 10" x 2" pieces cut, and it was actually cheaper than pressure treated wood the same size at Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[CJ1]

I meant From out of state. Because of all the problems with the emrald ash beetle they'd really restricted moving wood from state to state even in some cases of processed lumber. It was originally only supposed to affect things like firewood and importing saplings. But you know the nature of government. Get an inch, take a mile under the threat of force.

But I will definitely check into it and see what I can find.

 

[MoonShadows]

Let me know what you find out. PA has these restrictions, too, but I think right now it only applies to firewood.

 

[CJ1]

I'm gonna Google some saw mills. I'll let ya know

 

[Denim Deb]

Do they dry or season the wood in anyway? I can't get larch around here, but the woods next to me are full of dead, red cedar. I use them in my garden for staking plants, and have often thought of starting to collect a bunch to use for fence post for when I get my own place. The owner doesn't care what I take out of the woods as long as I'm not cutting down live trees.

 

[MoonShadows]

Not sure if they dry or season it in anyway when sold commercially. The guy I bought it from let's it sit for about a year before he cuts it.

 

[chefsdreams]

My name is Jim and I am a 3+ year member of Backyard Chickens with the same user name. Just found this forum...surprised I never realized Rob had this forum, too.

I have lived in the Pocono Mountains for 21 years, a transplant from NY via NJ. I live with my partner and we own a 150 year old farmhouse on 15 acres, mostly wooded with about 3 acres cleared of which we cleared about 1 1/2 ourselves.

I am a retired school teacher. I now drive a school bus part time for the local school district. We have had our own business for the past 10 years called MoonShadows Farm. We sell food and personal care items such as jams, salsa, bbq sauces, soaps, lotions, etc., both retail and wholesale.

We have chickens (just ordered 15 more), and I would like to get some pigs and alpacas. We have a number of raised gardens and a large fenced in garden where we grow veggies. This year we are erecting a 16 x 8 greenhouse so we can start early and finish late. We also have a 2 story tool and garden shed and another building for our business.

We are working on becoming more self-sufficient and love reading about what others are doing and sharing with them. I'm hoping to learn here, and share what I can, with other like-minded folks.

Jim

hello, hello. i took a quick peek at your site. we've been known to travel quite a ways for fresh eggs and real raw honey. we hale from the philly area. is the honey from your bees?

 

[MoonShadows]

Hi chefsdreams,

Let me take this opportunity to welcome you to SS.

Our honey is not from our own bees, but from a friend who raises bees in Saylorsburg, PA...a couple of towns over. Because we are zoned "agricultural" (read...residential...for sales purposes) we are not allowed to sell from our place, but our honey is available locally at the Potting Shed in Stroudsburg, PA.

Jim