Should you use landscape Timber or railroad ties for your project?
Chemicals from railroad ties can also leak into children’s play areas, so if you’re building a sandbox or other play area, it’s best to use natural wood instead. Versatility is the calling card of landscape timber. It’s sturdy, simple to work with, and easy on the eyes.
Can you use railroad ties for retaining walls?
I found one online seller who specializes in them, boasting on their website that "Used railroad ties are great for retaining walls and other applications around the house." …Which, since it's an unapproved use of a registered pesticide, can't be legal.
What size railroad ties do I Need?
You’re best off using railroad ties “as is” – as standard 6-foot and 8-foot timbers. If you’re building something complex, railroad ties might not be for you.
What to do with old railroad ties?
If you see old railroad ties for sale, report the seller to the EPA; and warn your friends not to buy them. And people like poor Pattie, who 'inherit' them?
Why is wood used for railroad ties?
Wood has the natural flexibility that is perfectly suited for the loads running on railroad tracks every day. Wood ties are engineered to perform under heavy load conditions. The durability of the wood tie means lower costs for railroads.
Are railroad ties toxic?
The wood is preserved by soaking it in creosote, which is composed of over 300 chemicals, many of them toxic and persistent in soil. Exposure to creosote has been shown to cause cancer. Even topical contact with creosote can be dangerous.
What can I use instead of railroad ties for landscaping?
Pressure-treated lumber is the closest alternative to railroad ties for landscaping your garden and creating planters.
What are railroad ties used for?
A railroad tie, crosstie (American English), railway tie (Canadian English) or railway sleeper (Australian and British English) is a rectangular support for the rails in railroad tracks.
How much does an 8 foot railroad tie weigh?
An average wooden railroad tie weighs about 200 pounds but can range from between 100 and 300 lbs. depending on size, wood type, and age. A typical 8'6″ tie made of oak will often weigh about 200 pounds while softer woods will weigh less. Older ties will tend to be more dried out and weigh less.
Do termites eat railroad ties?
Use of insecticides like borates (disodium octaborate tetrahydrate) and/or pressure-treated wood (chromated copper arsenate) protect against termites and wood decay fungi. However, over time, even railroad ties, telephone poles and pressure treated wood can be subject to termite attack.
Are railroad ties good for landscaping?
The EPA pulls no punches about the danger of railroad ties in gardens. Even though some home centers still sell recovered railroad ties, they are not fit for home landscapes. If your landscape came with ties installed by a previous owner, consider removing them and any contaminated soil.
Can you use a chainsaw to cut railroad ties?
Cut about ¾ of the way through the tie holding your chainsaw steady. You can stand in a squat position over the railroad tie to get leverage and slowly move the chainsaw downward. You'll want to stop cutting before you reach the bottom of the tie so that your blade does not get stuck in between the two halves.
How long will railroad ties last in the ground?
What are treated railroad ties? Treated railroad ties, crossties or wooden sleepers are made primarily from wood and then treated with a preservative so they can last 30 years or more.
How do you attach railroad ties to the ground?
4:3210:37How to Landscape with Railroad Ties - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn through the other one as well locking the two together and then hammering it down a couple feetMoreIn through the other one as well locking the two together and then hammering it down a couple feet into the ground as well so this really holds nicely.
What type of wood is a railroad tie?
Many railroads purchase oak and mixed hardwood ties and some buy ties made of softwoods such as south- ern pine, red pine or Douglas-fir as well.
How are rails attached to sleepers?
Rail anchors, also called anticreepers, are spring steel clips that attach to the underside of the rail baseplate and bear against the sides of the sleepers to prevent longitudinal movement of the rail, either from changes in temperature or through vibration.
Martyn W
As a committee, I would definitely consider the railroad ties to be an integral part of the course and I think that, in matchplay, a committee would uphold a claim that they were. They are, after all, integral to the course - if they weren't there the bank would collapse.
Martyn W
Integral Parts of the Course— Include cables, rods, wires or wrappings when closely attached to trees; artificial walls and pilings when located in hazards, unless otherwise provided for in Notice to Players.
David in FL
I think that @saevel25 is saying that in his opinion, the limit is the waterfront side of the boards, so that the bulk of the boards is outside the hazard, and so they constitute an obstruction. That's why he felt like he should be given free relief. Matt, am I understanding you correctly?
Why are railroad ties so popular?
Railroad ties are, in a word, iconic. They have a uniquely American ruggedness, conjuring up visions of freight trains barreling across the landscape. They’re also great outdoor building materials because of their natural resilience and size. Railroad ties are sturdy, nearly impervious to rot and insects, and rarely need to be replaced.
How many feet are railroad ties?
You’re best off using railroad ties “as is” – as standard 6-foot and 8-foot timbers. If you’re building something complex, railroad ties might not be for you.
What type of wood is best for outdoor projects?
Technically, any type of wood can be used for landscape projects, so choose your wood wisely. Pecky Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar are great for outdoor projects, as they are rot and insect resistant. Woods like Douglas Fir, however, will rot quickly once they are exposed to soil and water.
What is versatility in landscape timber?
Versatility is the calling card of landscape timber. It’s sturdy, simple to work with, and easy on the eyes. From Pecky Cedar to California Redwood, there are a variety of landscape timbers to choose from, making it easy for you to match your materials to your vision.
What are railroad ties made of?
Railroad ties are made from all different types of wood, including oak and various other hardwoods, to handle the pressure of 100-ton rail cars riding over them daily.
Can railroad ties be poisonous?
If you’re building something complex, railroad ties might not be for you. Railroad ties are treated with creosote oil – a strong preservative made from coal and wood tar – that can make them poisonous to vegetables and a poor choice for projects where bare feet or hands might come into contact with them.
Can you use railroad ties on a raised garden?
If you’re building a raised garden box, or plan on having your project anywhere near an edible garden, do not use railroad ties. Chemicals from railroad ties can also leak into children’s play areas, so if you’re building a sandbox or other play area, it’s best to use natural wood instead.
What is the USGA rule book?
The USGA rule book is the law for tournament play; it is absolute, without discussion. If it's your first time entering in an event, from as comfortable as a club championship to U.S. Open qualifying, you need to be well-versed on golf's legislation. And because there are so many golf rules, one could feel overwhelmed.
What happens if the ball falls off the tee?
Ball falls off tee. There's a shocking amount of players that aren't 100 percent sure what to do when this happens. Simple: You get to re-tee without penalty. (Exception: You've already whiffed on the first shot. If the ball then falls off, you have to play it as it lies.)
Do players understand they get help in such scenarios?
Most players understand they get help in such scenarios. In that same vein, most don't know the proper way to push ahead. You take your stance, from there getting one club length of relief. The new spot has to be without interference from what caused the drop.
Do you need a copy of the USGA rules book?
Most tournaments have rules officials on site, and all golfers should have a copy of the USGA rules book in their bag for more intricate situations and rulings . But the aforementioned points serve as the foundation for the obstacles you'll likely encounter during tournament play.
What is the right arm for golf?
As Tattersall says, your trail arm — which is your right arm for right-handed golfers, or left arm for left-handers — can and does a variety of different things on the backswing. “The right arm can fan a little bit, it can rotate, and it can lift. All those things happen in most people’s backswing,” Tattersall says.
Why is the trail arm important?
Your trail arm has an incredibly important role in the golf swing, one with the ability to both help — and hurt — the outcome of the shot you’re about to hit. When something goes wrong in a golfer’s downswing, it generally does so in one of two ways: Either the arms both work too far behind you at the start of the downswing ...
Can you use bark mulch to cover a two foot wide garden?
You can use non-dyed wood chips or bark mulch to cover the two-foot-wide walking lanes between the beds, but nothing weirdly colored or bad smelling. Then you'll be growing in clean soil for sure. And there won't be contaminated soil or sawdust blowing around for people to inhale or otherwise come into contact with.
Is it illegal to use old railroad ties?
So it's actually illegal to use old railroad ties in a home landscape.
Is railroad ties legal in Maryland?
Railroad Ties are NOT Legal for Home Landscape Use. Q: Pattie writes: "I recently bought a house just over the Pennsylvania border in Maryland. The previous owner had many garden beds, and the one he used for vegetables had old timbers surrounding it that looked questionable.
Can you use creosote treated wood for landscaping?
There are no approved residential uses of creosote treated wood. The Agency is aware that creosote-treated railroad ties are being used in the residential setting for landscape purposes and as a border ...
How to make lumber safe for fruit trees?
If the lumber surrounds a vegetable garden or fruit-growing area, you can be completely sure you’re safe by digging out the soil, installing a layer of thick black plastic stapled to the lumber, and replacing the soil.
Is treated wood safe for garden?
The problems with treated wood garden safety arose when it was found that some of the chemicals leached into the garden soil after a year or two. While all three of these chemicals are micronutrients and are found in any good garden soil, excess amounts caused by leaching from the wood is thought to be dangerous, ...