permaculture

[Permacltur@aol.com]

I'd have to agree with Lee on prefering rot-resistant species to treated 
lumber.  Not everything called "locust" is rot-resistant.  Go for Black 
Locust (Robinia psuedoacacia).  Not all bamboos are created equally, either, 
and you want a structural bamboo.  Generally, you want a 6-year-old culm for 
the best combination of lignification and elasticity.  You really need to 
know your stuff to build with bamboo to hold heavy loads of grape.  Bamboo is 
strong enough, properly harvested and properly aged, but construction 
techniques are important.  Lashing is ok, but limited to the strength of the 
lashing material and the skill of the knot-tier.  Pipe joints are very good.  
Lee's idea of jamming the bamboo over imbeded rebar is very nice.  For really 
heavy crops such as Actinidia, I'd set the rebar in concrete.  I'll use that 
idea though.

        Meanwhile, this inquiry comes up as I am investigating sources of 
plastic lumber.  We need dimensional lumber to re-roof a mobile home 
preparatory to setting up a roof catchment sytem.  (The damn place has no 
overhangs!)  We are in termite heaven here and it makes sense to use 
something that isn't food for termites.  Plastic lumber, being made from 
recycled plastic, is a reasonable choice.  We have three sources listed in 
the Permaculture Supplier List, but we want to do as complete a survey as 
possible before making a choice.  Naturally we are interested in quality as 
well.  (Some of this lumber is reinforced with fiberglass.  Hell on saws, I 
suppose, but it has to greatly improve shear strength. 
        Any  leads would be much appreciated. We are particularly interested 
in sources in Florida or at least the USA Southeast.

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  

We don't have time to rush.

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