Mike Kendall

Hello group,  I'm long overdue for an update on this thread.  First, the zipper works like a charm on the commando skirt.  I can unzip it and leaves as well as other dried matter just fall out to the ground so that works great taking only seconds to unzip then zip.  I owe a picture regarding the drainage solution (but it is dark outside so will do this tomorrow).  Basically we made a sloping frame with a small amount of roofing material to divert the water away from running into the hole for the tree.  Works even in torrential rains it seems.  So besides the guilt of not posting recently and stating an iou on pics we also made a stair up to the roof.  Since the property is terraced it is only about 3 feet to climb and we are working that now (hence reason for no pics).  Also, at the risk of jumping thread topics the purpose of the stairs is to gain access to making a giant factory roof top garden.  This beautiful senior citizen mango tree is magnificent but so magnificent it is providing partial shading.  The list of veggies we are currently growing and trying our best to keep the mini-pig pet (named RagChew) from eating is:  Petchay, Bachoy, Lettuce green/purple (not round), Kangkong, Kale purple/green, Spinach, Rocket lettuce, Basil, Parsley, Rosemary, Tyme, Radish, Asian green, Micro green.  I mention this because I want to get input on an idea/theory.  Since we are growing all this in hanging recycled plastic 1.5 liter coke bottles (and similar) we can easily move them around.  The idea is to let this yummy veggies grow as seedlings until their leaves can spread out a little to better gather sunlight in an open area then later move them into the partial shade in hopes they then will have the facilities to gather the light needed to make delicious dinners and salads.  Not sure if this is a proven methodology but to my un-educated S.W.A.G. (Scientific Wild A$$ Guess)  it just seems to make sense in making the most of resources.  Pictures tomorrow promise.  Unfortunately, the fiberglass covered 19 inch wide marine ply walkways (with sand sprinkled on top as final resin coat for non slip) are not done yet so it will be incomplete work in progress.  Kind regards, Mike

Hi Tereza,

 It is 9:15 PM here now and went to "lock up" this lower structure and grab a couple eggs for breakfast (lucky there was two as our triplets love to cook them faster than we can harvest them making cakes and other cooking projects).  

 Interesting to learn the gender of the mango trees not being specific.....I'm learning more and more from Permies.  We do love the trees here and I've got scolded each and every time by the triplets when I have no choice but to take down a tree because construction.  One was what is called a "Golden Coconut" which is a rarer species but it had to come down to make way for the driveway and concern it would fall on a building.  I recommended to the neighbor (in-laws) they put a cable around it so that it would fall on their house instead of ours and go-figure they called me crazy for that joke.  The plan is to plant for every one that comes down but a "Senior Citizen tree" deserves special treatment unlike the mahogany given for "free" to plant by the government in a ditch.....then later finding out it drastically changes the PH of the soil and nothing will grow around it any more as far as native really cool trees go.

 So the skirt did not come off nearly as easy as I imagined or hoped it would (more double entendre I'm certain but I'm doing my best to describe all this).  The Mrs. here went down with me and we discussed it.  She also said to take off the skirt unless it is raining.  Gotta listen to expert advice coming from the Mrs. and you now have mentioned same so that is advice to heed.  My comment is if I put some type of paint or whatever is used then remove the skirt its going to be NQR (not quite right) visually so maybe I'll go without the paint.  

 The comment was if I put darts in this to make it a cone the seams will leak. Seams can be sealed somewhat so I'm not so sure that is such an issue really.  Then I'll be able to get a third ring and do some fine tuning on the skirt to get a better fit and put it outside the three rings.  This will achieve a proper air gap between the trunk and the skirt/rings.  

 Tomorrow will be day two on all this but I'm now armed with knowledge thanks to this forum and will re evaluate everything then take action.  I'll post picture of the Mk 2 Mod 0 version of the skirt and tree if/when we make changes tomorrow on the commando skirt/tree

Kind regards,
Mike

Hi Tereza,

 I'm used to speaking pretty simple English here as it is not the primary language so I had to look up the double entendre  Speaking of double entendre the skirt has a zipper on the side and the top is held in place with the same hardware used for the jeep tops here so it comes off pretty easy and quick.  Just turn to unlock and the hardware can release through it.  Likely it is a minute and it is off.  I remember seeing trees with white stuff painted on the base to keep the bugs off the bark.  If it is hidden under the skirt I wonder if it would be "ok" to paint something on the bark to help protect it then have a maintenance schedule where the skirt comes off....more double entendre I'm certain?  

Kind regards,
Mike

 Edited to add the following....I asked a worker if the tree is a boy or a girl today (person helping with the skirt) and was quickly told it is a boy.  Now I'm not so sure with the whole skirt thing maybe it needs to be identified as a girl.  It is solid black so it can't be called a kilt I think

Hello again and thanks again!  

 Never heard of root rot before.  We will not water every day based upon the advice. Yes to another question....mango trees drop allot of fruit and sap laden droppings.  I read somewhere the mango is a "country cousin" to the poison ivy plant.

 It is almost the end of the rainy season.  To answer a different question on storms it is almost the end or already at the end of the typhoon season as well.  I'll keep a close eye out on things.  I know coconut tree roots are not that big from what I'm aware of but did not know the mango roots grew out so far as potentially 20 feet.  

 I'm very eager to get this roof top garden.  Always hearing complaints from folks about this extremely irritating mini Vietnamese pot bellied pig we now have as one of our pets (owners didn't want it as it was getting bigger so we took it on).  It loves doing piggy stuff which includes pushing anything into the pool and eating our vegetables.  The roof top garden will put an end to that  

Kind regards,
Mike

Hello again,

  Zero plumbing in structure.  Picture of vinyl skirt as of today attached still needs prime and paint on welds/flat bar.  It is open with inches of space between trunk and roof.  Great idea on rabbit manure.  We have both chickens and rabbits but I read the chicken manure is too "hot" but we are already using the rabbit manure for our garden plants and not smelly so much. This structure is entirely screened on all four sides with flat bar/steel mat on other side of screen all painted.  

 I've also attached picture of our tree house two stories not including the ground.  Has two fold down beds, dorm sized reefer, shower/toilet/sink in bathroom, balcony with small kitchenette. Bottom is recovered crates made into butcher block table.  We dug 360 degrees around roots and encased in pie sections re enforced concrete even under center of tree.  Top "grass" roof hides 12 solar panels which was a leaking problem but since fixed.  Scraped all bark and treated this very hard wood as the tree was 100 years old before construction workers cut the mother root killing it.

Kind regards,
Mike

Hello group,

 Thanks for the answers so far on this problem/puzzle.  This morning after getting supplies and workers going (for now) I reviewed the flooring.  This tree had previously had a concrete all around the trunk for about 5 years that is over 2 feet tall.  Kind of like a built in planter that was made from concrete to look like bamboo (concrete shaped and painted).  So the flooring is at least 1.5 feet or maybe even closer to 2 feet above the original flooring of the yard/jungle (depending on how far back one goes in time  The concrete has not touched the roots as a result and likely there is room for the roots as they continue to grow.  I would definitely call this beautiful and magnificent mango a "senior citizen" deserving extra care

 With the trunk vertical and not tapering because the added dirt around the trunk and the concrete slab not touching them I think the big concern is nutrients to keep this tree healthy.  I've read that microbes will live in the soil and maybe I'm killing all the microbes being part of the life cycle or again likely completely wrong?  If water is the main issue then will I need to drill some holes in the slab or will I be able to get all this to the ring of exposed dirt around the trunk varying up to around 1.5 feet from the vertical trunk?  

 The slab itself is completely over engineered to the max.  It is 7 inches with two layers of metal/rebar. Basically short stubs were vertically welded so that the two layers keep suspension from each other before the pour and then 4.5mm steel mat also attached.  Way overkill but the slab is not going to easily crack.  Also some thin wood every 12 feet to keep those types of cracks at bay also.  

 If I add nutrients with water what would then be?  Compost, chemicals, combination or nothing?  Should I drill a couple holes and use these holes as points of nutrient delivery?  Between the tree, the roof top garden with narrow 2 foot walk ways, and the overall attention to design (including motifs of grass/flowers to be painted under the screen for the short surrounding wall) I want this to really feel nice to the worker environment.  Outside the screen can be seen an abundance of greenery while folks will be working.  Probably way too much information but I'm trying to describe the importance of ensuring our "senior citizen" mango is able to thrive.

 This all has been done over the last 6 months and the slab itself I think poured over 6 months ago (work continued non stop during the pandemic....first folks just came in through the lower property with a nod from the powers to be then later just through the front gate).  I've not noticed any withering of the leaves or difference between the other mangos near by. That does not rule out a slow decline in tree health and so I'm wanting to take any and all actions to prevent this.  

Kind regards,
Mike

Here is a picture of the factory floor we are working on.  The construction is not complete yet. The 36 foot long cutting table will be on other side of tree trunk in picture.  On roof top we will make 2 foot wide fiberglass covered marine plywood walk paths for the roof top garden.  All sides of building are screened.  Adding picture to give an idea of opening at base of tree where the plan was to add water every day

Best regards,
Mn

Hello group,

 I may not have thought this one out properly but hope it won't be an issue.  We built a 1 story production line for making work pants. Right about in the middle was a very old mango tree so the decision was to leave it as well as the coconut tree along the edge of the one side and another younger mango tree on the other side of this structure that is 42 feet wide and all concrete.  So to keep from chocking it we made two flat bar in a larger circle than the trunk and welded to the metal framing.  We then took black upholstery vinyl and made a skirt that does not touch the trunk allowing water draining it to get to the base of the tree.  There is a square in the concrete floor about 9 inches to 1 foot wider than the trunk on one direction and over a foot in the other direction.

 Plan is/was to pour water into the base of the tree trunk and let it soak into the soil once a day.  Then I realized I pretty much know nothing about trees.  Rest of the plan was to make a roof top garden which we are still needing to make.  My worry/concern is that if I water only the dirt near the base it won't make it to the root structure and the tree will die as it is all concrete now.  I saw information on the thread about PVC pipe with holes and know there is a main root that here is called the "mother root".  Will I need to drill holes in the concrete and allow water into the holes or will I be able to water the base of the tree and it will survive.  This is a very old mango and I refer to the workers it being a "senior citizen" and to treat it with care.  Any advise would be recommended.  Plan was to water and then if the dirt becomes denser to add more dirt.  I've seen trees surrounded by concrete before so may have made a really big assumption it would be enough to water just the base of the trunk.

Best regards,
Mike

Hello,  We have lots of panels installed successfully already.  We will make a structure of rectangular tubing (and angle iron where needed) for the roof and have done this already with no problems using a mix of corrugated fiberglass that is semi clear and a supporting structure of rectangular tubing  in a different area that easily supports the weight of the panels and roof.  Currently we have an excess of 3 dozen panels still not installed after other completed projects.  2 dozen will go on our second carport we are building now (first carport already covered in 2 dozen panels).  The last dozen we will put on top of this screened enclosure as well as potentially the top of the studio extension (which is corrugated GI).  This screened in area  is going to be approximately 15ft x 21ft in area adjoining the studio extension which is 12ft x 15ft.  It borders the front wall/fence and part of our house.  We have zero room left on all four sides for any more panels of the roofing structure of the house (approaching 3000 sq ft) so this might as well be the place to put the last dozen panels (with space for sunlight to enter in between).  Intention is to be able to put a very large table structure inside in the center and plants on each side of that along the length.  On our front terrace it is similar in that we have screened in and put plants but those are just for decoration.  We want to be able to put a plant type that will thrive in the lower light level than full sunlight and this time I'm interested in finding something that is edible instead of more plants that require attention with zero return other than they look good.  I posted this in gardening for beginners as I am exactly that maybe even a level below beginner.  So to sum it up I'm looking for recommended plants that can be used in salad or soup that will thrive on the lesser level of light and a recommendation of percentage of coverage that I can get by with (on panels) that will still allow enough light through for growing the plants.  From your response it sounds like tomatoes are not an option.  My background leans towards electrical engineering so this is new to me.  Best regards, Mike

Hello group,

 We are building a needed extension for our sewing studio.  Plan was to put a 5x9 foot cutting table in it but that went wrong (not enough room) so now we are building an extension to the extension.  The idea is to make most of this extension a Philippine style greenhouse.  In other words we don't need to enclose it for heating purposes like in Northern Europe but instead it will be screened on one side and a roof over it.  The other side is the side of our house.  We want to use a clear(ish) corrugated fiberglass roofing material but also want to put our extra solar panels that are in storage up there. on the sides will be plant stands.  I asked around and nobody really seems to know.  What percentage of clear(ish) exposed fiberglass corrugated roof panels to solar panels (which will effectively block the sunlight)?  Not allot of light will come through the side so I can't really count on that.  Should it be 50/50 solar panels to roof allowing sunlight?  I know this is really broad like maybe the type of plant will determine the answer.  We would like to grow tomatoes or maybe something else that looks good but can be eaten.   Suggestions regarding a hardy but healthy/edible that can handle the lower light would also be really helpful.  

Best regards and advanced thanks, Mike