Loblolly pines?

[Laura Demi and Doug]

Greetings!

Laura, Demi and I were thrilled to find LHBA. We feel like we have been wandering through a nation of strangers and stumbled on a village of folks like us.

We have 5 acres, near Hartwell GA, and are registered for the May 26, 2007 class. Our land is mostly covered in planted loblolly "paper pines". They are about 60' high and 8" diameter at the base, and straight as arrows with little taper that I can see. They grow paper pines in GA like they grow corn in SD.

We just can't wait to know:
1. Are these thick enough to build a two story log cabin?
2. Is loblolly pine the tree that produces the nightmarishly heavy "yellow pine" sold in Home Depot ,etc?
3. Will I be able to move one of these trees without equipment?

On another question, at the seminar will we be handling logs (wear jeans) or sitting in class (wear lightweight hiking pants)?

We will introduce ourselves when we figure out how to make an avatar.

[rreidnauer]

Greetings! Laura, Demi and I were thrilled to find LHBA. We feel like we have been wandering through a nation of strangers and stumbled on a village of folks like us.
Welcome to the little town of LHBA!!! :wink: There's always room for new neighbors. :lol:

. . . . . . . . They are about 60' high and 8" diameter at the base, and straight as arrows with little taper that I can see. . . . . . . .
We just can't wait to know:
1. Are these thick enough to build a two story log cabin?
Sorry. I'm going to have to bust your bubble a little. Eight inch on the big end is too small in my book. Ring density is probably going to be down quite a bit too. How old you think they are? Now if it were on the small end, you'd probably be OK. But don't fear, the class will cover some options for getting logs, and you can let what you got grow into nice size logs for a later time, or use them now for a smaller structure. (garage or shop maybe?)


2. Is loblolly pine the tree that produces the nightmarishly heavy "yellow pine" sold in Home Depot ,etc?
Yes, loblolly is commonly grouped in with longleaf, shortleaf and slash pines as the common name of Southern Yellow Pine.(SYP) When you go to HD or Lowes and buy pressure treated SYP, keep in mind that most of the weight is the liquid used to preserve it. Seasoned SYP lightens up quite a bit.


3. Will I be able to move one of these trees without equipment?
No.........but for that matter, I don't know anyone who can bench press trees. Just kidding. By "without equipment" I need to assume you mean special equipment, like a commercial log skidder. The answer is yes. Something as simple as a snatch strap hooked to your receiver can drag a pretty large log. Keep in mind that the class will stress that they recommend hiring a professional crew to fell your logs for you. Remember, logging is the first or second most dangerous occupation! (depending on who you talk to)

On another question, at the seminar will we be handling logs (wear jeans) or sitting in class (wear lightweight hiking pants)?
There is very little hands-on training in the class. (I think I recall they gave everyone the opportunity to try scribing) The class goes inside and outside several times, but nothing that excludes everyday attire. Bring slippers is a common recommendation, as they ask students to leave their shoes on the porch. A light sweater isn't a bad idea, as it was "comfortably cool" inside (maybe 67~69 F)when I was there in April. Uncomfortable shoes/heels are a bad, bad idea, since there is a bit of a demanding walk from parking, to the classroom.

We will introduce ourselves when we figure out how to make an avatar.
I've made avatars for other folks who were unable to make their own. Just let me know if I can be of assistance.

[Laura Demi and Doug]

Rod,

Thanks for a great reply! People like you will get beach front property in heaven.

We are positively deranged with excitement looking forard to the class.

We will have to take down one row (400')of the paper pines to make a route for the driveway and utility service, and we intend to use the trees to make a storage building of 20' x 24' with two stories or a big attic. This will be our practice building.

Will these pines ever be any good? They have growth rings as big as 025". I undersnd that they are bred for fast growth.

Doug

[rreidnauer]

Boy, I hope so. I love the beach! :lol:

I assume you meant 0.25", or 4 rings per inch. The class recommends 10 rings per inch, but few folks actually acheive that, unless they are lucky enough to have Douglas Fir. Will your trees every meet recommended specs? Ehhh, probably not. But can they be used successfully some day? Sure, if proper care is utilized, as taught in the class.

Enjoy the class, it's a life changing experience!

[greenthumb]

Glad to see someone else from GA on here and I hope you enjoyed the class! I have family near Hartwell so I make it out there once a year or so.

Rod is right on all accounts so there isn't much I can add here. If you look at the boards at Home Depot, the tighter ringed, lighter colored, lighter weight boards in smaller 2x dimensions are often what I think is spruce. SYP tends to have a wider gap between growth rings, but with thicker rings. Its usually a yellowish color. It will darken and lighten with age- and also get about as hard as granite.

Your trees may be a little on the small side- usually the first 6" or so on a 'paper pine' has widely spaced growth rings. I've seen some with 3/4" or wider gaps between growth rings in the center, though your mileage may vary. I don't see why you couldn't use them for a small storage building if insulation isn't a concern... Two story? I don't know, you'd have to check the span tables and see how large of a RP, RPSL's, girder, etc you need.