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@SwampCat I wanted to update this. You planted a seed and it grew.
I started last spring with a couple packages, started trapping swarms, and went into winter with 9 hives.
This year I'm trying to grow to 25-30, and I started a beekeeping youtube channel that is doing better than I ever...
Got most of the Catalpa out. Neat tree, neat wood. Lightweight, soft for a hardwood, but highly rot resistant. Hosts the catalpa moth whose caterpillars make awesome catfish bait. Also an important tree for honeybees.
I got an 18’ clear butt log, a 12’ log, and two crotch sections I’ll...
Super cool. Do you know the species? Really tight growth rings so it’s old growth, don’t see any ray fleck so not oak??? Old growth pine? American Chestnut?
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I'm using 100 ft 3/8" 7X19 cable, break strength 14k+ lbs.
3/4" shackles
16K and a 22K rated snatch block with 30k rated tree saver anchors
Chain choker plus a grab link (very handy)
70 hp tractor with 7k+ lb drawbar pull
I run a box blade on the tractor, hoping that if it starts tipping over...
On high ground and up on blocking.
Took a slice of root and split it to see what this log looks like and try to get an ID. Nice coloring, and either some curl or ray fleck. Im thinking maple? Maybe sycamore?
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Mystery log is out!
First pull
Second pull
Third pull
Fourth pull
It’s not above flood stage yet but I can get to it easily. Went well, did break a chain. This would be easier if I had self releasing snatch blocks or someone to spot for me.
Lot of sweat.
Sent from my iPhone...
Started turning the mystery sinker log out of its hole. It’s been on our sandbar for 20+ years, spends half the year submerged and half dry. Could be awesome, or a colossal waste of sweat.
Anchoring to a fallen catalpa which floated in during the last big rain. Need to get both to high ground...
Hive beetles and swarms have been the neighbors biggest problems. I've been digging into it hard...I'm a little obsessive, want to know everything about something that interests me.
Plan to use screened bottom with oil trays (Freeman Style), probably guardian entrance reducers, plus beetle...
Cold weather up north vs small hive beetle down here. Bees are tough everywhere these days.
Varroa introduces in late 80’s from Asia, Small Hive Beetle from Africa in ‘98, Nosema in ‘06, the exotics make everything tough.
Ask me how I feel about chestnut blight, emerald ash borer, Dutch elm...
My neighbors are out of the bee business and I’m buying their equipment. They said old eyes and old backs weren’t keeping up with the bees.
I sold goats and started researching promoting native flowers. I’m adding brassicas and crimson and white clover into the foodplot rotation, as well as...
Excellent link. Question...this mentions a guide or textbook “A Guide to Wildlife Food Plots and Early Successional Plants”. It says it has pictures and usefulness of 250 plants.
I can’t find that book anywhere. Does anyone know where to source it, or another book on the same subject? I need...
It is water transportable so wet areas or swampy ground is out. The only real concern I had was the “irreversible eye damage” warning on the label. I wore latex gloves and glasses putting it out so I didn’t wipe sweat off my brow and get contaminated.
Otherwise it’s pretty convenient. Has to...
That sounds really interesting, probably something I'd enjoy.
Do you know of any good resources where I can read, watch, or learn the basics? I know there's a steep learning curve and I'm at step 0. Thanks
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