Cob mini bale alternative

[Frugally4u]

In a message dated 98-03-11 18:47:55 EST, you write:

<< Some few years ago (not as few as I'd like), I ran into some difficulty
 when building my stackwall (cordwood) home. >>


I'd love to hear more about your cordwood home! I've been researching
different types of building, and would love to build a cob/cordwood combo.

My husband & I are buying a 60 acre piece of land here in Upstate NY.

We have very cold winters & much snowfall.

On our land there is mature standing timber ( mostly pine&black cherry) a
river with a bridge - a spring fed pond ( we'd like to build near it), and
sand/gravel soil.

I've found alot of basic information on different types of building online,
but only a couple of actual accounts with a person's real experiences.

Our plan is to build the walls of cordwood up to the ceiling. Then build the
gable ends out of lumber with shakes for siding.

Build the greenhouse bottom walls of cob, then lumber & plexiglass for the top
part. 

We live in a stick house now & we burn about 20 "face" cord of wood per year.

We want this house to be as efficient as possible.

* How long does cob have to cure before you can move in? I've read up to a
year - is this true?

* How long does the wood have to dry for cordwood before you can use it in the
walls?

* Can you use pine for cordwood?

Thanks a bunch,

Pearl
http://members.aol.com/frugally4u