• The forum upgrades have been completed. These were moderate security fixes from our software vendor and it looks like everything is working well. If you see any problems please post in the Forum Technical Support forum or email us at forum_moderator (at) aawforum.org. Thank you
  • It's time to cast your vote in the March 2026 Turning Challenge. (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to Chris Lawrence for "Dragon's Grip" being selected as Turning of the Week for March 30, 2026 (click here for details)
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

My new shop

Webb Willmott

Webb Willmott

Joined
Feb 25, 2025
Messages
711
Likes
899
Location
Jackson, MS
It’s finally happening. 650 sq feet, lathe area, dust collector closet, miter saw wall (planer underneath), and room for everything else! It’s moving right along. This is day 2 of framing.

When clearing trees, one lone good sized sweet gum is waiting on me for breaking down. 2 acres of wooded area and several very large trees laying down just waiting to be taken care of. No burls but I can’t wait to “clean up” the woods.

I have 3 acres that need to be planted (landscaped) with trees. Not intending to plant to cut later but looking for suggestions for different species for “looks” that aren’t trashy.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2895.jpeg
    IMG_2895.jpeg
    257.6 KB · Views: 103
  • IMG_7799.jpeg
    IMG_7799.jpeg
    1.3 MB · Views: 103
  • IMG_7800.jpeg
    IMG_7800.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 103
Last edited:
@Webb Willmott
Wow, my dream!

Back to this-
"I have 3 acres that need to be planted (landscaped) with trees. Not intending to plant to cut later but looking for suggestions for different species for “looks” that aren’t trashy."

I think I would be looking for truely expert advice of this. Can you tap into your state's forestry department, or university system forestry experts to advise for the long term growth and management?

Up here in Minnesota we have access to the University of MN through through their Extension services program, which works closely with local county agents as well.

Not being a forester myself, but my first thought is the importance of biodiversity and the use of native plant species to make sure your mini forest remains a viable ecosystem after you're gone from there. Think Dutch elm disease and emerald ash borer and how the over-planting of singular species can lead to their doom.

Livin' the dream!
 
Steve Tiedman said:
@Webb Willmott
Wow, my dream!

Back to this-
"I have 3 acres that need to be planted (landscaped) with trees. Not intending to plant to cut later but looking for suggestions for different species for “looks” that aren’t trashy."

I think I would be looking for truely expert advice of this. Can you tap into your state's forestry department, or university system forestry experts to advise for the long term growth and management?

Up here in Minnesota we have access to the University of MN through through their Extension services program, which works closely with local county agents as well.

Not being a forester myself, but my first thought is the importance of biodiversity and the use of native plant species to make sure your mini forest remains a viable ecosystem after you're gone from there. Think Dutch elm disease and emerald ash borer and how the over-planting of singular species can lead to their doom.

Livin' the dream!
Click to expand...
Steve, in my searches to plant native trees on my one acre, it seems like most of the nurseries have "ornamentals", but few local trees. You may be able to find some place that sells natives, and you will probably have to ask around. If you know any arborists, they might know. I did plant some black cherry which is always nice. maybe walnut and/or butternut, oak, sycamore, and I am sure there are many others. I would plant some fruit trees also. I do have an American Chestnut. and some redbud which is not common out here. Sassafras, honey/moraine locust (not the ones with thorns), black locust, osage, birch, though there is a blight that seems to be killing many of ours, and you can probably come up with more. I do have 8 apple trees, and one pear, and the pear replaced one apple tree. I have "free" apples in the late summer. Dogwood, persimmon, I am sure there are more. I wish I had 5 acres years ago. I always wanted a stand of bamboo to walk through!

robo hippy
 
Bill Blasic said:
I built mine at 24' X 36' and within 6months I wished I went to 48' (But I'll bet if I did go to 48" it wouldn't have been long and I'd be wishing I went to 60' ☺️ )
Click to expand...
I squeezed into 230sqft, land down here is far from cheap.
 
Webb Willmott said:
It’s finally happening. 650 sq feet, lathe area, dust collector closet, miter saw wall (planer underneath), and room for everything else! It’s moving right along. This is day 2 of framing.

When clearing trees, one lone good sized sweet gum is waiting on me for breaking down. 2 acres of wooded area and several very large trees laying down just waiting to be taken care of. No burls but I can’t wait to “clean up” the woods.
Click to expand...

That is exciting! I assume you'll have a progress photo or two...

Are you framing and building it yourself? I tell people I built my shop with my bare hands, but I lie - I used tools. I did pay someone to pour/surface the concrete and another guy with a crane put up the trusses and roof. Prob kept me from falling off and breaking my head.

Funny thing about clearing the spot - without any intent to build the shop there I started cutting paths through some overgrowth near the barn for walking llamas. Then realized it was all junk growth and the last nearly flat spot in that area so I cleared it all and built the shop there instead of up by the house. It's about 250' from the house but great exercise walking up and down the hill.

Webb Willmott said:
Bigger is just an excuse to accumulate more.
Click to expand...
There is truth in this. Empty space is the great attractor. My 24x62 building sucked in the woodturning stuff first then attracted a small machine shop, weld shop, equip maintenance, and incubators and brooders to raise peacocks. And some musical instruments. I occasionally have to clear a path to walk.

My one bit of shop advice for anyone with more space than a closet concerns lighting. I love wonderful, bright work lighting. But I often use one switch at the door I wired to turn on a set of smaller lights spread through the space, many in recessed fixtures. This gives me enough light to fetch a book or screwdriver or a can of spray paint without turning on the brights.

I would definitely consult with someone on the trees. I personally like a mix of evergreens and trees with some fall color. But I years ago I planted some evergreen species that looked great until they got too big. Do you have other wooded areas? Around here if you have at least 15 acres with or for trees you can apply for the forestry greenbelt program and a forester comes and helps develop a plan. The greenbelt status cut our property taxes in half.

JKJ
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top