Friday, December 28, 2018
Even more PV
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
1983
I notice the record low for the day after Christmas here was 14 deg F in 1983. That would be probably be the time we spent about a week below freezing. The effects I remember:
1) Tanks were frozen over. I remember tying a rope around Jean's waist and sending her walking across the surface of the big tank, ~ 100' across. When she did not break though, I walked across with the rope tied around my waist. I think we tied the end to a tree so I could try to pull myself out. Photos were taken but lost. The search for those photos continues. Since then, I have not seen tanks frozen all the way across. I have seen some ice around the edges.
2) Water supply lines were frozen under the house. We went about a week without water. After the episode, I installed electric heater tape under the house on the pipes. That heating has never been used but is still in place. The wire comes through the floor in a closet.
3) Grey water drain into the yard was frozen; no sinks would drain for near a week. Black water did continue to drain so we could flush the toilet.
4) Figs through the area were killed to the ground and were years in recovering.
5) Peach trunks were frozen on the north sides so the trees were deformed for life. Some were killed to the ground.
6) At that time, we still had a couple of open flame propane space heaters so did not solely depend on the wood stove. One much appreciated propane heater was in the bathroom. Though there was little bathing done. Wiping off with wet clothes mostly done in front of the wood stove from a pot of hot water on the stove.
I think I may prefer "global warming" to "global cooling".
1) Tanks were frozen over. I remember tying a rope around Jean's waist and sending her walking across the surface of the big tank, ~ 100' across. When she did not break though, I walked across with the rope tied around my waist. I think we tied the end to a tree so I could try to pull myself out. Photos were taken but lost. The search for those photos continues. Since then, I have not seen tanks frozen all the way across. I have seen some ice around the edges.
2) Water supply lines were frozen under the house. We went about a week without water. After the episode, I installed electric heater tape under the house on the pipes. That heating has never been used but is still in place. The wire comes through the floor in a closet.
3) Grey water drain into the yard was frozen; no sinks would drain for near a week. Black water did continue to drain so we could flush the toilet.
4) Figs through the area were killed to the ground and were years in recovering.
5) Peach trunks were frozen on the north sides so the trees were deformed for life. Some were killed to the ground.
6) At that time, we still had a couple of open flame propane space heaters so did not solely depend on the wood stove. One much appreciated propane heater was in the bathroom. Though there was little bathing done. Wiping off with wet clothes mostly done in front of the wood stove from a pot of hot water on the stove.
I think I may prefer "global warming" to "global cooling".
Saturday, December 8, 2018
EVs in Caldwell County
An article on a neighbor recently appeared in the magazine put out by Texas electric coops:
http://austinfarm.us/homegrown/downloads/BLUEBONNET-MAG-DEC-2018_The-Electrified-Life.pdf
If your browser doesn't offer pdf rotation, you can try downloading and using more capable software to view.
A noteworthy statement is that there are only 50 someodd registered EVs in the several counties of our coop's service area. Here near Dale, there are six within a mile.
http://austinfarm.us/homegrown/downloads/BLUEBONNET-MAG-DEC-2018_The-Electrified-Life.pdf
If your browser doesn't offer pdf rotation, you can try downloading and using more capable software to view.
A noteworthy statement is that there are only 50 someodd registered EVs in the several counties of our coop's service area. Here near Dale, there are six within a mile.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Claunch
I hate traffic. I hate to travel high population density areas. I love to ponder "what came before". Claunch is an example of a reward. I was driving through a desolate area between Ruidoso and the Rio Grande. I went through Claunch without paying close attention. Then, I turned around and looked closer and took some photos. Most striking is the pinto bean elevator, where dry harvested beans were stored. I had not thought of this part of New Mexico as being a Dust Bowl area, but I guess it was. The population now is essentially zero but it apparently was a semi-thriving farming area in the 1930s. There is no indication of irrigation; I guess they made do with rainfall. That's what happened all through the Dust Bowl; farmers had sufficient rainfall to produce dry land crops for many years. Then, it turned dry.
What will the country look like after cities have built out over crop land and they have taken all the water needed for irrigation? We don't need to grow our own food or have our own farmers. We can just buy what we need from Mexico, South America, Australia, etc.
http://elchuqueno.com/city-of-dust-claunch-new-mexico/
Claunch Women's Club
Pinto Bean Elevator
Old School. Above door: "Claunch School WPA 1938".
Zoomable photos here:
https://plus.google.com/+WillieMcKemie/posts/9e5211nYrAu
I failed to take a photo of the post office. As described in the first link, it looks to be active and a library also. I regret that I did not seek out the postal person. Claunch is pretty close to being a ghost town though many of the buildings, including the post office, show signs of care. I'm guessing the post office serves hundreds of thousands of acres containing ranches of 10,000+ acres.
The El Chuqueno link says there used to be a home about every section and now it is more like 20 sections per home. A "section" being 640 acres.
The vast surrounding plain looks like pretty good grass grazing but very dry. Very flat. Not enough runoff to create many creeks. The whole area grew pinto beans up until mid 1900s. Hard to imagine from the way it looks now.
What will the country look like after cities have built out over crop land and they have taken all the water needed for irrigation? We don't need to grow our own food or have our own farmers. We can just buy what we need from Mexico, South America, Australia, etc.
http://elchuqueno.com/city-of-dust-claunch-new-mexico/
Zoomable photos here:
https://plus.google.com/+WillieMcKemie/posts/9e5211nYrAu
I failed to take a photo of the post office. As described in the first link, it looks to be active and a library also. I regret that I did not seek out the postal person. Claunch is pretty close to being a ghost town though many of the buildings, including the post office, show signs of care. I'm guessing the post office serves hundreds of thousands of acres containing ranches of 10,000+ acres.
The El Chuqueno link says there used to be a home about every section and now it is more like 20 sections per home. A "section" being 640 acres.
The vast surrounding plain looks like pretty good grass grazing but very dry. Very flat. Not enough runoff to create many creeks. The whole area grew pinto beans up until mid 1900s. Hard to imagine from the way it looks now.
Saturday, December 1, 2018
From cousins recently moved to near Anchorage
We feel blessed. First we heard the freight train coming. And we knew.
Then the world shook, seemingly for ever. Lights off. Things crashing
off walls and cabinets. We just froze like dummies. Should have ducked
undercover. All our utilities restored by mid-afternoon. Local tv saying
the stringent construction codes have paid off as less structural
damage than 1964. Our house built 2011. It was a big experience. Learned
a lot. It was so violent even long timers had not experienced such.
Messing with "My Maps".
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wX1rHflygX9hJ2_deNumWlCZQvweKktN&usp=sharing
https://plus.google.com/+WillieMcKemie/posts/HTYnU8cKswG
Points along a route I walk regularly for exercise and to check on hog snares.
I don't see how to start the map covering the area of interest; you will just have to zoom in on the marked places.
https://plus.google.com/+WillieMcKemie/posts/HTYnU8cKswG
Points along a route I walk regularly for exercise and to check on hog snares.
I don't see how to start the map covering the area of interest; you will just have to zoom in on the marked places.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Inexpensive self installed PV
With careful shopping here is VERY cheap PV. About $140 per panel or about $.55/watt. This includes panels, microinverters, and micoinverter AC cabling. Not included is labor (which is minimal) and the "hitching rail" ground mount which should be less than $5/panel. Also not included is the 30% income tax credit for which these should be eligible.
I've now done two "hitching rails" with plans for a 3rd. I have the steel roofing installed below the panels but have not yet done the needed grounding or the planned attachments of the panels to the rails. The two rails have been operational for a couple of months. Each rail supports 10-13 panels. Each rail is supported by three steel posts driven into the ground with a tractor mounted post driver. Rails welded to those posts. Microinverters dangle from rails; up off the ground.
Payback on this type of system should be 2-3 years, not including tax credit. My roof top professionally installed systems have paybacks of 10-15 years, including tax credit.
https://plus.google.com/+WillieMcKemie/posts/Fq1qykAv3Qc
I've now done two "hitching rails" with plans for a 3rd. I have the steel roofing installed below the panels but have not yet done the needed grounding or the planned attachments of the panels to the rails. The two rails have been operational for a couple of months. Each rail supports 10-13 panels. Each rail is supported by three steel posts driven into the ground with a tractor mounted post driver. Rails welded to those posts. Microinverters dangle from rails; up off the ground.
Payback on this type of system should be 2-3 years, not including tax credit. My roof top professionally installed systems have paybacks of 10-15 years, including tax credit.
https://plus.google.com/+WillieMcKemie/posts/Fq1qykAv3Qc
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Permian Highway Pipeline
https://www.braungresham.com/client-services/condemnation/active-pipeline-companies-texas/permian-highway-pipeline/
https://www.braungresham.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Caldwell-county-partial.jpg
Not related to the petroleum pipeline but here is something about the Carrizo/Wilcox water pipeline from Lee County to San Antonio:
https://www.saws.org/your_water/waterresources/projects/vistaridge/projectpage.cfm
I observed portions of it being buried through Caldwell County. It appeared to be about 8' in diameter.
These pipelines got me to thinking about pipeline troubles I have had. During the 1990s, when I was still trying to grow peach trees, I had a dead zone of about 50' width going through a peach planting. With good healthy trees on each side of the zone. Dead due to oil spills by Coffield Pipeline Company. The company seems to have fallen off of Google. Coffield did almost no maintenance; they only (eventually) repaired leaks. Their leak rate was about once every six months on the ~2000' section that crossed my property. Each leak in the range of 1 gallon to 100 gallons of crude oil. They resisted burying the line to 3' as required by the lease/easement because that would make such frequent repairs more costly. In several years of attempting to deal with the problem, I learned that the Texas Railroad Commission (who was supposed to enforce petroleum pipeline regulations) considered it their duty to keep irate land owners off the backs of the pipeline companies.
https://www.braungresham.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Caldwell-county-partial.jpg
Not related to the petroleum pipeline but here is something about the Carrizo/Wilcox water pipeline from Lee County to San Antonio:
https://www.saws.org/your_water/waterresources/projects/vistaridge/projectpage.cfm
I observed portions of it being buried through Caldwell County. It appeared to be about 8' in diameter.
These pipelines got me to thinking about pipeline troubles I have had. During the 1990s, when I was still trying to grow peach trees, I had a dead zone of about 50' width going through a peach planting. With good healthy trees on each side of the zone. Dead due to oil spills by Coffield Pipeline Company. The company seems to have fallen off of Google. Coffield did almost no maintenance; they only (eventually) repaired leaks. Their leak rate was about once every six months on the ~2000' section that crossed my property. Each leak in the range of 1 gallon to 100 gallons of crude oil. They resisted burying the line to 3' as required by the lease/easement because that would make such frequent repairs more costly. In several years of attempting to deal with the problem, I learned that the Texas Railroad Commission (who was supposed to enforce petroleum pipeline regulations) considered it their duty to keep irate land owners off the backs of the pipeline companies.
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Electric use musings
I have three electric meters. Without a built up credit and with no net use, my monthly bills are about $25 for each, about $80 total. My "connection fees". My billing cycle ends about the 13th of each month. Here, I am reviewing my likely bill that will come in a few days for 10/12/18-11/13/18. On two of the meters, air conditioning is the big demand during much of the year. On the other, pumping irrigation water. I move my car charging from meter to meter to try to minimize my "from the grid" use. Since it has been cool and wet, no water pumping and no air conditioning the previous month. That is likely to continue for the next 4+ months.
My three meters all had net production: 209kwh, 208kwh, and 246kwh. Total of about 650kwh. At the end of the year, my electric supplier will issue a credit of about $.05/kwh. So, last month's credit will be about $32. That will not cover my "connect fees". I hope to do much better in coming months.
Year to date (through about 10/14/2018) accumulated production has been 1435kwh, 4788kwh, and 1282kwh. Those should yield a credit of about $375 after the end of the year. I still have 2-3 months to add to that credit.
To escape any payment to my electric provider over a year, I have to average about 1600kwh of net production per month.
My three meters all had net production: 209kwh, 208kwh, and 246kwh. Total of about 650kwh. At the end of the year, my electric supplier will issue a credit of about $.05/kwh. So, last month's credit will be about $32. That will not cover my "connect fees". I hope to do much better in coming months.
Year to date (through about 10/14/2018) accumulated production has been 1435kwh, 4788kwh, and 1282kwh. Those should yield a credit of about $375 after the end of the year. I still have 2-3 months to add to that credit.
To escape any payment to my electric provider over a year, I have to average about 1600kwh of net production per month.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
PV about 30 miles west of Ft Stockton, just north of IH10.
About a year ago, I noticed this place under construction with apparent piles of panels scattered over an estimated 100 acres. Today, I could not find it on the car's map. The "satellite" photo was apparently more than a year old. But, not, it is easily noticeable from the highway. It looks to be operational.
The entrance is at the grid connection stuff on the frontage road. I was tempted to knock on the potable building office door and ask for a tour.
This is the old maps.google photo:
The entire cleared and maybe graded area is covered with panels.
https://www.aeptexas.com/
Apparently, they are an electric retailer. Nothing yet found on that project. I seem to recall it was a FSLR project, perhaps recently sold.
SuperCharger in 29 Palms
I was surprised to find the 29 Palms SuperCharger at a casino. This was the first time I had ever entered a casino. Nature called. Had to cut my way through the smoke to get to the head. Amusingly, they had some "no smoking" slots.
PV at WalMart in Truth or Consequences
I was surprised to see PV covered parking at the WalMart near the Truth or Consequences SuperCharger. Seven canopies over seven double parking rows, six had five inverters, a shorter row had four. Each canopy had six 60 cell panels, placed long way, in the width. I did not take the time to count total and make a total power estimate. But it is a lot! Canopies were supported by a single row of columns in the middles with two columns on the ends.
I asked a checker in the WalMart about the install. He said the store was about 10 years old and the PV about 5.
Near by, I saw a more traditional ground mount PV though not as large as the WalMart.
Monday, November 12, 2018
Unusually good fast Mexican food
http://alibertos.com/
Mostly in Arizona; I can vouch for the one in Payson.
Also in Payson, a very nice hotel with Destination Charger:
https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/payson/quality-inn-hotels/az402?brand=QI
Modestly priced, nice amenities, well kept, large rooms. "Good enough" breakfast. On my first visit I arrived in the morning and did not wish to rent a room. The management was a bit surly but I did charge for an hour or so and got enough to reach Holbrook. On subsequent visits, management has been far more agreeable.
Payson is a wonderful mountainous area. Far removed from the congestion of Flagstaff and Phoenix/Mesa/Chandler/etc.
Mostly in Arizona; I can vouch for the one in Payson.
Also in Payson, a very nice hotel with Destination Charger:
https://www.choicehotels.com/arizona/payson/quality-inn-hotels/az402?brand=QI
Modestly priced, nice amenities, well kept, large rooms. "Good enough" breakfast. On my first visit I arrived in the morning and did not wish to rent a room. The management was a bit surly but I did charge for an hour or so and got enough to reach Holbrook. On subsequent visits, management has been far more agreeable.
Payson is a wonderful mountainous area. Far removed from the congestion of Flagstaff and Phoenix/Mesa/Chandler/etc.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
First Model 3 LR D P trip
A trip to Lafayette for an EV charging site fund raising event.
The trip was noteworthy because I was able to go from Lake Charles to near Columbus on AutoPilot with no operator intervention. Around 150 miles. This was right through the middle of Houston during the fairly heavy traffic noon hour. The car had just received the first (older) Version 9 software. The only driver actions were to adjust target speed with a thumb wheel and indicate lane changes with the turn signals. No touching steering wheel; no touching brake or accelerator.
A very nice lunch at the downtown Don's, only about two blocks from the event. Hush Puppies in the basket were the best I've eaten in many years.
https://www.donsseafoodonline.com/
Lafayette is the world center of cajun cooking. Below is a wonderful gumbo. I regret I was able to eat only about ten meals per day during the trip.
Downtown Lafayette is very nicely refurbished. Event was held in a "vacant lot" park. Test drives were staged from the parking garage in the background.
A downtown park includes a couple of chunks of steel from Twin Towers.
This is the front of the little "vacant lot" park where the event was held. My car nearest the camera.
The trip was noteworthy because I was able to go from Lake Charles to near Columbus on AutoPilot with no operator intervention. Around 150 miles. This was right through the middle of Houston during the fairly heavy traffic noon hour. The car had just received the first (older) Version 9 software. The only driver actions were to adjust target speed with a thumb wheel and indicate lane changes with the turn signals. No touching steering wheel; no touching brake or accelerator.
A very nice lunch at the downtown Don's, only about two blocks from the event. Hush Puppies in the basket were the best I've eaten in many years.
https://www.donsseafoodonline.com/
Downtown Lafayette is very nicely refurbished. Event was held in a "vacant lot" park. Test drives were staged from the parking garage in the background.
A downtown park includes a couple of chunks of steel from Twin Towers.
The highlight of the trip home was driving AutoPilot all the way from the Lake Charles SuperCharger to within 10 miles of the Columbus SuperCharger. This was through downtown noon traffic Houston on IH10. Around 150 miles. Self steering, no hands all the way. Speed adjustments were made with thumb wheel on steering wheel. Some lane changes were instigated by the turn signal. The early Version 9 software was recently installed. Afterward, I received the later version which includes "navigate on AutoPilot". Or, maybe it's "AutoPilot on navigation".
Sunday, October 21, 2018
HOGS
Before it started raining, I had about 8 snares set at hog crossings of fences. Normally, I would try to check them daily. With the wet, I was not able to get out there to check snares for about two weeks; did so today. Found TWO hog remains and about four snares that had to be reset. When a hog dies trying to escape the snare, he ruins the snare. SO, I just ordered three more dozen snares. About $3 each but well worth it for a high catch rate.
Added later. The first photo shows sparse remains of a hog. The second shows a snare set and ready to catch. The third shows a large hog that about 20 vultures had been working on when I approached this afternoon. Yesterday, the hog was much bigger and did not stink.
Added later. The first photo shows sparse remains of a hog. The second shows a snare set and ready to catch. The third shows a large hog that about 20 vultures had been working on when I approached this afternoon. Yesterday, the hog was much bigger and did not stink.
M3DP first drive
I went to Flatonia to make sure it has SuperCharging. It does. 115kw, up to 450 mph.
I need to configure a "AutoPilot Buddy Knockoff". I'll try lighter than the other two I've done.
I looked pretty diligently but did not find where to turn off navigation voice.
The window sticker says "P" but there is no marking on the car to so indicate.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Envoy monitoring
With some luck, these will be links to my three Enphase Envoys:
RV Building Envoy
Public RV Building Envoy
PV Shed (Guest House) Envoy
Public PV Shed (Guest House) Envoy
House Envoy
Public House Envoy
Sadly, apparently not "clickable" links. <Fixed>
RV Building Envoy
Public RV Building Envoy
PV Shed (Guest House) Envoy
Public PV Shed (Guest House) Envoy
House Envoy
Public House Envoy
Sadly, apparently not "clickable" links. <Fixed>
SolarBridge microinverter replacement.
I just had my SolarBridge microinverters replaced with Enphase after both SolarBridge and the installer, Longhorn Solar, abandoned them.
You may be able to find my Yelp review of Longhorn here:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/longhorn-solar-austin-3
I have 39 nine of them; at the last time I was able to monitor, about a year ago, 38 were working. At the time of replacement, power output seemed normal.
10/23/18
This project is near completion. Labor was about $3k. 39 Enphase inverters about $1.5k. Trunk cable about $600. A bit over $5k total. One broken panel not yet replaced. One new microinverter not producing. I now have 37 (out of 39) panels producing on the roof, 12 producing on the hitching rail, 6 on a mount near the pool. All monitored by a single Envoy. I expect two more to be producing after we get some dry weather.
Lets see if this will show my Yelp review of Longhorn Solar:
https://www.yelp.com/user_details_reviews_self?userid=uCCfd8XxQ00WGXh0kfcffQ
Not "clickable"; you'll have to copy and paste if you want to read it.
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Scanning film negatives
I found a treasure trove of photos that I stored away several years ago. I now wish to get digital versions of many. My first choice is to get the negatives scanned. I googled around a bit and was surprised at prices; generally $.50 each or more. I eBayed around a bit looking for hardware and decided I don't know enough to make an informed purchase. Suggestions solicited.
Other alternatives are to get prints scanned or to use an "archive" app on an Android. I've done quite a bit of that Android archiving with mixed results.
Negatives seem to be mostly APS format; many commercial places do not list that format.
Other alternatives are to get prints scanned or to use an "archive" app on an Android. I've done quite a bit of that Android archiving with mixed results.
Negatives seem to be mostly APS format; many commercial places do not list that format.
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Stolen Tablet
In reviewing "Albums", I noticed these old photos that were taken by a lowlife that stole one of my tablets in about 2013.
Hog Snaring
Nope, can not figure out how to get to a cloud stored photo unless it is in an "album".
To get it posted, I had to turn the single photo into an "album" and "share" it.
Google+ abandoned by Google
Will Blogger be a replacement?
https://plus.google.com/+WillieMcKemie/posts/V4rx5Pj66W4
I do have some non-trivial trepidation about investing much effort on another Google product since they have abandoned
1) bookmarks.google
2) finance.google
3) and now Google+
https://plus.google.com/+WillieMcKemie/posts/V4rx5Pj66W4
I do have some non-trivial trepidation about investing much effort on another Google product since they have abandoned
1) bookmarks.google
2) finance.google
3) and now Google+
First Post Selling Christmas Trees
12/2/18 I've stopped selling trees. I am toying with the idea of saving a few and selling some ~9' trees next year.
Selling Christmas Trees
Rather poorly cared for trees up to about 8' tall, appropriately and attractively price at $15, your choice. "You pick it, I'll kill it". Zoom in on the sign in the photo to get my email address.
https://plus.google.com/+WillieMcKemie/posts/V4rx5Pj66W4
I guess it is lost in the low resolution, but there is a pole saw leaning up against a tree near the golf cart. The saw is about 6' long. Several trees in the area are about 7'.
Selling Christmas Trees
Rather poorly cared for trees up to about 8' tall, appropriately and attractively price at $15, your choice. "You pick it, I'll kill it". Zoom in on the sign in the photo to get my email address.
https://plus.google.com/+WillieMcKemie/posts/V4rx5Pj66W4
11/14/18 The Christmas Tree train is rolling! Thanks to Donna's FaceBook posts. I continue to think of FaceBook as a lightly bubbling cauldron of idiocy. But, I'll take the sales!
I'll post here stuff customers and potential customers might find useful. As they come to mind. That is, randomly organized. I'll be adding more information as I go. You may post a question/comment though you may need a Blogger account to do that. Or, maybe just a Google account.
1) Tomorrow, I'll place some flagging material over there so that customers can flag trees in my absence. You may come out without an appointment. Place your name on a tag and place it high in the selected tree. If I don't run short of trees, I'll resist selling flagged trees, but do not guarantee they will not be sold unless they are pre-paid. PayPal to the address you have.
1b) 11/15 Flagging material is in place just inside the gate through which you enter. Sharpie marker in soda bottle. Write your name on a piece of flagging tape and attach as high as you can manage to the tree you select.
The twine is in the box on the ground. I will eventually put some cutting implement with it. The ground in the area of the trees should be pretty firm just a few hours after a rain.
1c) I've placed a 10' joint of conduit in the tree patch. Marked at 8' and 6'. To be used in judging tree height.
2) Before I start cutting trees, I will place some twine over there so trees can be secured. In years past, I've tied trees on tops of cars. Or, stuffed them in vans/SUVs. Do what you like. Pickup trucks are best. I am willing to deliver on a trailer within 5 miles of Dale for $5. Or, 10 miles (to Lockhart, for example) for $10.
3) I've had quite a few queries and expect to sell trees briskly. That is, I set the price too low :-). It is now clear I need to set some "I'll be here" hours. For the first weekend following Thanksgiving, those will be 2pm-3pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I'll be in the Christmas Tree patch during those hours, and likely longer. I've had some poor experience with customers keeping appointments; these fixed hours will replace appointments. You may visit the tree patch at anytime to inspect the trees but you should not expect to buy a tree except during stated hours.
4) For seekers of more professionally grown local Christmas Trees, I recommend:
Just outside Luling.
5) To early queries, I've provided a maps.google link that shows exact location of the tree patch. It is 1 mile north of Dale on CR165. Right side of road as you come from Dale.
6) Trees will have an accumulation of prior year needles in the interior. That stuff is best removed before taking the tree into the house. Importers of trees recommend cutting an inch or two off the butt end to facilitate uptake of water. That is un-necessary for a tree that has been cut only a few hours. All sorts of potions are suggested to put in the tree's water in order to prolong life. My opinion is that water only is sufficient. It is important to keep the cut end wet. Check daily.
Trees will eventually dry out and drop needles. They will dry slower in a cooler location. That is, it is best not to place the tree near your heat source. If you wish to store your tree after it is cut but before you put it up in the house, leave it outside, in the shade, in a bucket of water.
7) Requested photos with some references.
5 gallon bucket near a string of pretty nice trees; the trees are about 8'.
8) We are into the cutting season; as of 11/20, I've cut 5. I configured a tree height gauge and left it out for customer use; as near as I can tell, no one has used it. A caution: trees always look bigger once they are in the house. For 8' ceilings, you want a tree that is about 7'. The trees do not cut down well. That is, you will have difficulty turning a 8' tree into a 7' tree.
9) I have placed some advertising ornaments near the gate, near the tags and tie down twine. If you wish, pick one up on the way out. The ornaments have my phone number on them. I will not answer the phone or return calls. But, I will see any voice messages left.
10) Sales for the weekend following Thanksgiving were slower than expected. Therefore, I will be open the following weekend: Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2. Both days starting at 2pm.
Photos of early customers:
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