The 1/2 acre small lot caught my eye in northman's post.
3 years ago a neighbor cleared his 1 acre lot next to me.
No idea what it cost him, but he'd paid $300K for the acre so probably had plenty $$. At least he only built a single family dwelling vs. putting 8 houses there!
For clearing, guy dropped off a D10 (for an acre!!!??) and big Link Belt excavator and big tub grinder and semi truck, done in 2 days. Was mostly alder, only 1 or 2 fir bigger than 18". One of the other neighbors salvaged 6 or 7 cords of alder. Contractor told me back then the tub grinder chips sold for all of $7.00 (seven, Lincoln and 8 quarters ) delivered to the mill, not even enough to pay for fuel to haul it.( edit $7 per semi load, NOT per ton! ) I'd have just spread the chips and let them rot, but the owner now has a large lawn.
20 years or so ago cleared one of my own acres in back of the house (King county, right at city limits) with just an old D2 but left the stumps, did it just before PSCAA got their gestapo powers, so was able to burn 12 ft dia slash piles. One stump is cutoff about 12 ft high, still about 8 ft diameter, that was a nice tree back in 1910 or so. One of these years before I die I need to saw into that stump and see how many rings left.
Even way back in 1971, wanted to slash burn a 500 ft long 6 ft wide pile along the road (county right of way, trail permit) I put in to the house, Fire dept wanted 12 ft dia piles. I just let them sit and rot and let firewood folks pick at the piles. Good old days are gone forever in urban areas.
Those unfamiliar with PNW populated areas:
Green weenies abound out here. 30 years ago a developer would leave almost 50% of big firs (2nd growth, 15-25" DBH) and built in among the trees - now they put up to 8ea 4000 sq ft 2 story houses on an acre and knock down every tree except for wetland designated areas, where they usually put in a required storm water drainage pond. 7 acres sold 1000 ft north of me 12 years ago, not a single tree was left, now has 55 houses. County and cities now require some trees left, usually in mandated green belt areas, very complicated permit processes out here. And has driven cost of a new house to about $800K even with them packed cheek to jowl with neighbors!!
3 years ago a neighbor cleared his 1 acre lot next to me.
No idea what it cost him, but he'd paid $300K for the acre so probably had plenty $$. At least he only built a single family dwelling vs. putting 8 houses there!
For clearing, guy dropped off a D10 (for an acre!!!??) and big Link Belt excavator and big tub grinder and semi truck, done in 2 days. Was mostly alder, only 1 or 2 fir bigger than 18". One of the other neighbors salvaged 6 or 7 cords of alder. Contractor told me back then the tub grinder chips sold for all of $7.00 (seven, Lincoln and 8 quarters ) delivered to the mill, not even enough to pay for fuel to haul it.( edit $7 per semi load, NOT per ton! ) I'd have just spread the chips and let them rot, but the owner now has a large lawn.
20 years or so ago cleared one of my own acres in back of the house (King county, right at city limits) with just an old D2 but left the stumps, did it just before PSCAA got their gestapo powers, so was able to burn 12 ft dia slash piles. One stump is cutoff about 12 ft high, still about 8 ft diameter, that was a nice tree back in 1910 or so. One of these years before I die I need to saw into that stump and see how many rings left.
Even way back in 1971, wanted to slash burn a 500 ft long 6 ft wide pile along the road (county right of way, trail permit) I put in to the house, Fire dept wanted 12 ft dia piles. I just let them sit and rot and let firewood folks pick at the piles. Good old days are gone forever in urban areas.
Those unfamiliar with PNW populated areas:
Green weenies abound out here. 30 years ago a developer would leave almost 50% of big firs (2nd growth, 15-25" DBH) and built in among the trees - now they put up to 8ea 4000 sq ft 2 story houses on an acre and knock down every tree except for wetland designated areas, where they usually put in a required storm water drainage pond. 7 acres sold 1000 ft north of me 12 years ago, not a single tree was left, now has 55 houses. County and cities now require some trees left, usually in mandated green belt areas, very complicated permit processes out here. And has driven cost of a new house to about $800K even with them packed cheek to jowl with neighbors!!
