ISF sponsored a workshop called “Cruising for Poles” on Saturday, Feb. 24 2024, 9:00–4:30, taught by Colin Gillespie from the Forest Reciprocity Group in Laytonville, who is also a trained permaculture instructor. The location was my homestead on Seely Creek Road in Redway, where I am releasing the oaks and meadows from incursions by Douglas-fir and need poles for multiple projects.

Choosing the right trees for pole building is the first step in this type of construction, using poles from the immediate area. Colin talked about timing the harvest (April is ideal) for easiest bark removal and included many details about joinery and load-bearing.

The workshop was attended by 19 people. Weather was superbly cooperative!

After a morning lecture and hike followed by a vegetarian lunch prepared by my partner, Karyn Wagner, we felled a fir and practiced stripping the bark with various implements. We got to see what it’s like to de-bark when the timing is NOT ideal!

If you missed this event, there will be another pole building workshop with Colin in June. Sign up for ISF mailings here to be notified!

Why is a pole construction workshop included in a blog about biochar? Black Ripple is about extending and integrating biochar-making through the region where we are. Accomplishing more than one objective from a single activity is a cornerstone permaculture practice, along with accomplishing the same objective through more than one activity. While we are in the woods to reduce fuel and make biochar from the result, it pays to have an eye out for other useful forest products. Since the excess fuel here is mostly Douglas-fir, there are straight stems of all diameters that can be harvested for pole construction at the same time.