vicke adams

Hmm... bamboo is a very interesting thought. I wonder if I could get it to grow in this rocky soil? I will have to look into varieties and see if I can find something. I like the idea. Also, I'm pretty sure it could survive occasional goat incursions.

Just so you know, I have not found that chicken wire is suitable for keeping goats out of anything. It takes that no-climb horse field fencing or electric netting. Last week I found Sugar (Nubian/Saanen doe) balanced with back feet on a tree limb and front feet on a barbed wire fence like a tight rope walker so she could reach the blackberry leaves on the other side! I love my goats.

Yes, I follow all the traditional permaculture guidelines for maximizing water retention. I have to as I use only rainwater collection for all indoor and outdoor needs. Whatever trees I plant will require all the help that I can give them. We are way behind on rainfall here in a drought that is now at least two years in the making. I live in a very woody area with only a small clearing for my pasture and garden. However, most of the trees that grow around me are scrub oak and hickory. There are some smaller trees that grow in the understory, like Redbud. I am towards the top of a rocky hill. Here they call it a mountain but compared to where I was raised, it's just a hill or more correctly alluvial plateau. I've only been here for about 18 months and spent most of the time working on my cabin although I do have a producing greenhouse, goats, chickens, horse, guineas, etc.

From what I have read, a PawPaw tree grows only to a height of 25 feet and requires protection while it is small. I have nothing on the west side which is why I am looking for rather quickly growing shade trees. I have had both apple and pear trees at other locations and do not consider either of these to grow large enough to provide good shade. Also, I don't think that I have good growing conditions for a Pear tree. A fruiting Mulberry is a thought. I have grown them before and they do fairly well in this area. I have used their berries, as when the kids were small, they would collect them and I would have to do something with all those little berries. However, I guess I was hoping that Mark would suggest a type of chestnut or other productive tree that would grow into a large tree (more than 30 ft) and do well in the poor rocky soil we have in this area.

Hi Mark,
I know you are doing some good work in our area (near Tahlequah, OK). Unfortunately, I have not met you yet but I will! I am trying to decide on a couple of good shade trees to put on the west side of my cabin to block the hot summer sun. My conditions are: poor rocky soil, kind of dry, would like it to grow relatively fast, if possible would like it to provide something edible or be a companion/nurse for something edible. A tree that the goats wouldn't demolish would be nice but I know that probably isn't likely. I will just need to protect them from the goats, anactivity which seems to occupies a lot of my time.

I look forward to your answer and to meeting you at some event in the near future!

Vicke
Goingsnake Farm
Proctor, OK

So, are you suggesting that sheetrock is the best way to go? No green alternatives?

I have  a pole barn. I am building my living quarters in part of it and leaving the rest of it for a stable for my goats and a workshop. I have been trying to figure out something cost effective with which to cover the walls. I have it framed and pretty well insulated, so the main thing is just to have a covering to protect the insulation and cover wiring, etc. I know that one of the advantages of sheetrock is that it is somewhat fire-retardant. As I am all by myself a long ways away from anybody else and miles from a firestation, have no well (I have a rainwater collection system) and no other source of water for fire-fighting, I am a little concerned about not creating a fire risk. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Vicke
NE Oklahoma homestead
caretaker of the farm, dogs, goats, cats and wonderful RIR laying hens