[ecomadera]

Hurdles is right. And an uphill battle. Many forces conspiring to make our company wonder if we’re looking at a genuine, sustainable business, or a pipe dream. We’ve identified a market for engineered flooring that utilizes mixed species. A balsa plant has been constructed to produce blocks that are used in construction of airplanes, windmills, etc. The balsa will be planted in land that was previously cleared as pasture with the eventual goal of reforestation of native species. Now we just need some capital to buy land from owners living in cities that aren’t interested in their farms, and tenants that seem tempted to sell concession to a major plywood company. The extraction crews and plant will be staffed by locals and some of the land we buy will incorporate a community shared agroforestry system. The basic idea is to conserve an extremely biodiverse area by stopping high-grading/conversion – without displacing the populace.

Now we need to figure out an efficient way to get the timber out. Thanks for all the advice. Jason, I’ll mail you my address for contacting your neighbor. I’ll talk with my boss and see when or if we can head down that way. Really appreciate the feedback. It’s been useful.

Rod, I’ll check into the amish communities. We’ve been thinking a bit more about using oxen, so it might be useful.

Can’t wait to head that way Carl. Starting with the basics is just what I need. I’ll see you sometime tommorow night. What a great thing this website is.

Blair

[ecomadera]

Sounds like a useful fellow. Do you have his contact info? Where is he based out of?

We’re trying to learn as much as we can in our stint here in the states. I’ll be heading up to work a few days with Carl on Tuesday. Would visiting one of your jobs next week be a possibility? Are you logging right now, or is it breakup? Do you have a break up down there?

We’re considering the possibility of hiring someone to help get this project off the ground. Do you know of anyone willing to head South for awhile?

This is a loaded reply. Let me know what You think.

[ecomadera]

Well therein lies one of the problems. Were short on skilled practicioners. If you know of experienced horse loggers in South America, we’d love to hire them.

The minimum diameter limit on our species will vary, but all trees will have a Dbh greater than 20″ and many significantly greater.

Thanks Jason

[ecomadera]

That article has some interesting info. What size logs were you dealing with on that slope? Another problem I failed to mention is we’re taking large diameter hardwoods. We were thinking of using smaller mules and would be somewhat limited on what a single animal could pull.

Carl suggested a simple gravity skyline with a come-along for bunching the logs at a landing. Sounds like a reasonable option.

I’ll keep you posted.

Blair

[Author]

Posts