Pine Needle Removal

[thewoodlands]

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

 

[GAMMA RAY]

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!

 

[bogydave]

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

 

[thewoodlands]

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

 

[Jack Straw]

Nice trailer

 

[thewoodlands]

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

(broken link removed to http://www.rescraft.com/trailers.html)
zap

 

[thewoodlands]

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

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

 

[ScotO]

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

 

[thewoodlands]

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

zap

 

[firebroad]

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.

 

[thewoodlands]

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

zap

 

[ScotO]

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

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?

 

[thewoodlands]

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

zap

 

[thewoodlands]

Dunno zap....think you missed a few.....View attachment 67694
J/K, pine needles are a major pain in the a$$ to clean up (especially in this heat)....good job!View attachment 67695

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

 

[MasterMech]

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

 

[thewoodlands]

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

zap

 

[MasterMech]

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.

 

[Defiant]

Nice job zap, enjoy the moments

 

[Mrs. Krabappel]

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

 

[thewoodlands]

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

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

 

[Jags]

Zap - if you are looking to get grass to grow where the bed of pine needles were, don't be surprised to find that you will have to augment the soil a bit. Pine needles are very acidic. Applying the proper amount of Ag lime might be all that you need. Just throwing that out there.

 

[thewoodlands]

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

 

[save$]

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.

 

[Jags]

Yep, don't over do it with the lime. It doesn't take a whole bunch. Two years ago I spread ONE coffee can full into my garden and actually got it a bit too alkaline.

 

[thewoodlands]

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