Pine Needle Removal

We decided to rake up some pine needles in the area we might put the fireplace so we can get some grass growing.

Hauled 12 loads that were put on the trails in the low spots in four different areas.

zap

Dunno zap....think you missed a few.....
J/K, pine needles are a major pain in the a$$ to clean up (especially in this heat)....good job!

Looking good Zap
Will you have enough fire wood for the fireplace? LOL

It's so bad, I turned to cutting up dead pine. We do have some Hemlock down that I plan on bucking,splitting so I can stack for shoulder season wood for the years 2014-15.

zap

Nice trailer

Thanks Jack Straw, this is the company that makes the trailer.

http://www.rescraft.com/trailers.html
zap

I did another six loads which went on the trails in different locations, attached are some pictures. Coming up soon should be a rock picking weekend for the fireplace or pit.
zap

That's a lot of needles, zap! As for the pit, I expect pics of that too. Keep 'em coming!

Scotty; how far around the fireplace/pit do I need cleaned up so it's safe rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr?

zap

Wonderful mulch, pine needles. But as Gamma stated a pain in the keister.
Cute little chipmunk(squirrel?) what is the bird? Looks too bluey to be a woodpecker or sapsucker.

I'm not sure on the bird firebroad, I'll ask the wife tonight or maybe another member can identify it.

zap

I'd get it fairly clean around 20 to 25' diameter around the pit. If you have access to lots of flat stones, I would make a cobble 'patio' around the pit. Are you doing a keyhole pit with a cooking area?

I'm not sure yet, it might be just a stone fireplace so I'll let the wife decide.

zap

Since you called me lazy today I hauled three loads tonight which puts us closer to a fireplace in this are. Starting on Thursday the pine for the coffee table will be limbed up then milled on Friday or Saturday.
zap

Why the SMV triangle on the Rhino Zap? I would think the Rhino's top speed disqualifies it from displaying the SMV sign?

MasterMech, I think we need it but it's more for safety.

zap

Just beware they aren't supposed to be used over 25 MPH. Not that I think any cop would give you a hard time even if they did know that.

Nice job zap, enjoy the moments

bird is a red breasted nuthatch <cue Beavis and Butthead>. Nice pics!

Thanks Kathleen.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-breasted_Nuthatch/sounds
zap

Thanks Jags. I am stopping by Agway so I can grab some items we need, one of the items will be a kit so I can test the soil.

zap

Your grass might like the lime, but the pine trees won't. They need the more acidic soil to be healthy. Turn the soil more neutral won't hurt, but if too alkaline, the pines will turn a light green and growth may be stunted.

After putting down some lime a few days back then getting some heavy rain yesterday I decided to rake this area again, took two loads back in the woods for some trail maintenance. I have about four more loads then some dead/skinny trees will come down in the area for the fireplace.

Looks like hot weather our not it's time I get back working.

zap