permaculture

[Jeffrey Newman <newman@bcinternet.net>]

Dan (that was your name amidst all the other information?),

Thanks for the specific starting points. It's after midnight and I feel like 
starting
right away!

My trees/logs are Douglas Fir. Will they last in such a wall?

Jeffrey

Elfpermacl@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 9/22/98 12:43:53 AM, newman@bcinternet.net wrote:
>
>
> I'm looking for advice on building a retaining wall from logs/fallen trees.
> The bank
> is beside my house and about six feet high. I want to halt erosion and soil
> flow. Any
> advice or references? I've found a little helpful material in the 
> Permaculture
> manual.
>
> Jeffrey Newman>>
>
> First, if the trees are of species that rot quickly, you are wasting your
> time, if they are species such as willow or mulberry that sprout from logs,
> you may well end up with a living wall.
>
> Now, lay a length of logs the long way along the bank.  Backfill level with
> the logs or just a little lower.  Now lay short lengths, maybe 8 feet,
> pointing into where the bank will be so that the ends of these logs rest on
> the first course.  Now backfill so that you can lay a nother course of logs
> the long way.  The logs going into the bank use the pressure from the load 
> to
> hold the logs beneath them in place.  If you make the bank slope back a bit
> away from the edge at the bottom you can plant in the spaces.  Notching the
> logs is ok if they are rot-resistant species, but the wall will not last as
> long.  I wouldn't bother.  I built a wall like this when I was a college
> student, 40 years ago, and it is still in place with no maintenance 
> required.
>
> For Mother Earth, Dan Hemenway, Yankee Permaculture Publications (since 
> 1982),
> Elfin Permaculture workshops, lectures, Permaculture Design Courses,
> consulting and permaculture designs (since 1981), and annual correspondence
> courses via email.  Copyright, 1998, Dan & Cynthia Hemenway, P.O. Box 52,
> Sparr FL 32192 USA  Internships. YankeePerm@aol.com




                       *******************************

Jeffrey Newman
My personal web site is at     http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/5759/

My ICQ number is: 9879310