To fill or not to fill ??

[johnnydel29]

I had the same issue when I cleared my lot. If your ok with the current location the pile on your property, simply buy some spruce tree seedlings and plant if front of pile. Yes, the trees are small at first, but before you know it, that pile will magically disappear. Also, as it decomposes, you can grab some nice topsoil from it. This is what I did, and it worked out fine. I also threw some handfuls of grass seed on the pile, and now, it looks like a mound covered in high grass. Think of it this way, it is just one big pile for a nice cleared out lot.

 

[Highbeam]

So what the heck is "screening"? Is it like raking? So that pile is all the junk that you collected while smoothing out your field?

You know that you won't be building right up against your property line so bury it or stack it there. I am partial to burning it in wide open wet spaces liek your pictures show.

 

[McDenny's]

I had alot of "stuff" left after the driveway was put in and I stumped the lot. Usually around here screening is done by swapping off, they screen with there equipment and manpower. You get 1 bucket, they get 2. That way no money is exchanged. You can just hire them or rent a screen yourself, but I didn't have that much time or extra money. I can spread the "tail ends" out, it just will take awhile with my tractor. Like I stated before, I am having a survey done. If I am far enough away from the line, I will push the stumps into my hollow. I do like johnnydel29's idea if I can push them into the hollow and plant then let them grow. Only problem with burning the stumps now is they are all moved to the back corner of my lot, I would have to move them back to the field and burn there. I really didn't want to do that because I wanted harrow this year.

Highbeam, screening is like pouring dirt across metal squares, usually 3/8" to 1/2", and the screens move or vibrate. The dirt falls down through and the "stickings" or "tailends" stay on top. Some screens have hydraulic flip tops to remove the debri's of the top, some you just flip it with the machine. Makes the loam pretty much rock and stick free. Something always get through, but its better then paying around $20/yard for it around here. I will post a pic of one of the screened piles.

 

[PA hayseed]

I had alot of "stuff" left after the driveway was put in and I stumped the lot. You can just hire them or rent a screen yourself, but I didn't have that much time or extra money.

I feel your pain. I built a screen myself, out of fence and pt posts, nothing fancy. I does take time though. I dump a load on the fence/screen, it falls through, I scoop it back up with the bucket. I do have to assist the screen sometimes, and of course remove all the rocks, roots, and branches, before the next load goes through. And the ground has to be real dry or it wont work.

The next time they screen at your place (if they ever do again), get some manure or chicken poop (whatever your soil needs) and have it dumped in with the dirt to be screened. The screener will blend the manure into your soil before spreading. It is actually pretty good. I get it by the bucket load, and use my FEL to mix it some in my dirt pile, then put it all through the screen.

I have had problems burning stumps too, even when presoaked with kerosene or gas. I'd push them into your hollow, I'd also smash them up with the tractor some first. Other than that, get the guys to shred them for you, that is the easiest and free.

 

[bmac]

On my lot, they dug a pit big enough to hold the burn pile, pushed the stumps and stuff into the pit and burned it there. I think it took about a week for everything to burn, but in the end, there was very little unburned stuff remaining. The ashes were then covered up by filling the hole (actually, more like a deep trench). I'm at the 2 year mark with no evidence of a sink hole developing.

One thing about a fire pit or trench is that the fire is contained pretty well and the completeness of the burn is better than a surface burn (according to by builder). Just a thought.

 

[wedge40]

On my lot, they dug a pit big enough to hold the burn pile, pushed the stumps and stuff into the pit and burned it there. I think it took about a week for everything to burn, but in the end, there was very little unburned stuff remaining. The ashes were then covered up by filling the hole (actually, more like a deep trench). I'm at the 2 year mark with no evidence of a sink hole developing.

One thing about a fire pit or trench is that the fire is contained pretty well and the completeness of the burn is better than a surface burn (according to by builder). Just a thought.

How does the fire get the needed air to burn good down in a trench or hole?
I'll be in this boat in a few months.

Wedge

 

[sandman2234]

Starting a burn pile, makes for a good reason to buy a pto blower and attach some pipe extensions to it to keep you tractor out of the line of fire.
David from jax

 

[wa9w00d]

"How does the fire get the needed air to burn good down in a trench or hole?"

Because it sucks!

As the hot air rises from the fire, it will draw what it needs in from the edges. A pit will work better because it will reflect that radiant heat back into the pile to dry and warm the stuff that is soon to burn.

Wayne