Roofing and Fruit Trees

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I am building the new homestead that I have dreamed of for 40 years. My question is what kind of roofing should I use since I will be having a cistern? Or is there more poison in the acid rain than in roofing to worry about it?

Secondly, what time of year do you transplant fruit trees-spring or fall?

-- Stephen Tracy (oleoacresvt@yahoo.com), July 02, 2001

Answers

I would think metal roofing would be cleaner than asphalt shingles in the long run.

And I've always planted my fruit trees in the early spring, and haven't lost one yet.

-- Eric in TN (eric_m_stone@yahoo.com), July 02, 2001.


I would base my choice of roofing on more than just the cistern issue. As metal roofing ages you can get more "stuff" in the water, so whether its shingles or metal you need to put a "dump" bucket to dump the first 5 gallons or so of water to make sure you dump the crud.

Some other considerations are: insurance will be cheaper with metal because it is safer in a fire, especially if you are going to heat with wood. Metal roofing has a tendency to have problems with condensation if airflow isn't maintained between it and the insulation, another way to cut down on problems from condensation is to put a layer of felt under the metal and over the rafters so if there is condensation it will just run out instead of dripping onto the rafters and insulation. Metal roofing can be really noisy in rain or hail. I wouldn't dream of trying to put metal roofing up myself. Metal roofing can be harder to flash and fit around dormers and chimneys. Metal roofing can last longer than shingles if you paint it, but its slicker 'n ... something slimy to stand on and more dangerous (IMHO) to get up there and work on the roof should you ever need to (and you will eventually need to if only to repaint the roof).

As for fruit trees I have planted in spring, summer, and fall and haven't noticed a big difference as long as they are kept watered.

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), July 02, 2001.


'nother down side to metal roofing that often isn't mentioned is although the roof life guarentee is often over 30 years, any damage such as denting caused by hail stones IS NOT grounds for warranty replacement. These dents often will be future rust spots, then leak spots. I'm not sure all metal roof warranties work this way, so asking is wise. Other than that, metal has much to recommend it. As mentioned, a trap for bird and other animal droppings is wise, especially if the cistern is for drinking and/or food prep.

-- j.r guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), July 02, 2001.

A further disadvantage to metal roofing, depending on your climate: snow and/or ice will fall suddenly in one complete sheet. Heaven help ya' if you're near it!

-- Rheba (rhebabeall@hotmail.com), July 02, 2001.

Stephen: We had a metal roof installed three years ago on an old farmhouse. We love it as the snow doesn't pile up and get heavy. It only took one winter to see the value of installing "snow rails" to lesson the impact of an avalanche on any one so unfortunate to be standing there when the snow slides off the roof. It also helped with our insurance as the old roof was old cedar shingles. The other downside we found was when my husband tried to clean the chimmney. He built a wooden ladder that bends over the peak of the roof, uses the tractor to lift himself up in the bucket and then on to the ladder on the roof. At 50 years old he always makes my heart rate increase whenever he cleans it. Thank goodness its only once a year. Is your cistern for human use or just animal and plants?

-- Marie Fila (Mamafila@AOL.com), July 02, 2001.


Rainwater harvesting is finally being developed into science...finally getting popular again in Texas. Lots of info out there, as you can see...good advice from everyone so far. We're building home and pole barn to harvest for home use, gardening, catfish tank, wildlife watering sites, catchpond, and pool. As for the fruit trees...rather than the variety, etc. of fruit, consider your climate first. We're much better off in this part of Texas to plant all trees in the late fall. This allows good root growth before the hot dry summer hits. In a wet climate, like Tennesee, root rot (on young trees) may be a problem. Talk to YOUR County Extension folks. Look in the phone book, county government page. They're the closest folks to your microclimate (consider that too). Also consult with your state's forestry service. Our Texas Forestry (TFS) folks don't deal only with lumber industry, but also with diseases, etc.. You may have to contact each office and ask for staff specialist to deal with your questions...people today or those that have never lived in "country" lifestyle don't remember or know that these folks exist to provide services already paid for by your tax dollars. Please use them and justify their existence so we can keep them and the "big boys" don't get uncle Sam to appropriate the money elsewhere. (Remember too, that these departments also serve as "watchdogs" over the big boys buying up all the farms, etc..) Go to county and state fair and collect info/pamphlets. Attend courses taught by these folks--advertised in paper. Look up on net... Sorry, got me on on soapbox...Good Luck!

-- pat (zumende@aol.com), July 05, 2001.

Has anyone used the commercial-quality roofing, with the embedded color? We are considering this as our next roof. I'd like to hear some comments about it. Snow rails make perfect sense.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), July 05, 2001.

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