Rustic Tulip Poplar Log STack in TN

Patriot log home builders builds a

TULIP POPLAR RUSTIC LOG HOME in TN 

Patriot had found when searching the web a log home company that got his attention, we wrote about it and you can read the post here since that time conversations with the owner, emails etc a relationship was developed.

The lovely yellow flower of the Tulip Poplar

Mike wanted to see first hand the product line offered by Grizzly log Homes, so he instigated contact with the owner and learned that a model home "The Shotgun ",was being erected in the state of Tennessee . He  made arrangements to met the man behind the business, see the logs first hand  and learn what tulip polar really is , as he has never experienced it before  and was more than curious about what it was. In addition ,he  would  train some of the builders that where new to  the company in the process. As Mike has been considering for some time, to begin the selling of log homes, and this company was of great interest to him, it made prefect sense to explore all aspects of the business  before making any decision.

Feeding baby goat with baby bottle at the homestead in TN

Living arrangements were made for Mike, he lived with the neighbor  on the property, in this close knit Christian community . The land was breathtaking, set in the heart of the Appalachians  where  plenty of chickens   ran free ...with , horses , sheep, cows and goats, Mike learned that the goats are called Jacobs goats (the goat from the bible) this darling little baby , not a Jacob goat ,was a real treat to get to know. He was being fed by bottle and Mike took a cute video of this . The local people of this close knit community homestead, live off the land and animals are an integral part  of daily living , it is really charming to say the least.

Delicious and wholesome meals were prepared for Mike each evening, as part of his compensation for building . The people were truly  friendly, Mike noticed that no matter what, people would give you a warm gracious  wave of the hand,  with a sincere smile while walking or driving by. 

On Sunday , the day was set aside for the Lord, and Mike, as most others,   did not work,  instead a local gathering in the home of the hospitable neighbor,  set up her home as   temporary church venue for Bible study which Mike attended and found both refreshing and inspirational .

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Rustic log stack , old fashioned pioneer  look

Affordable no frills log homes !!!

Mike discovered  the men that he worked with were very   open to other  and different techniques that they were unfamiliar with.  For example, the men found useful the importance of concentrating on each corner , stacking it plumb and level at this aspect because  when they are stacked plumb  the overall home stays square which less problematic elements during  the roof erection ,.  In addition,  the tools he brought the men quickly learned how some of them saved both  time and  energy which took much of the hard lifting and other strenuous aspects of log building off.

This extremely affordable package, has log stack on first floor and siding on 2nd where the stick framing is being erected. A no frills home  yet comfortable and practical-3 bedrooms and 2 baths!

Day 4 with Grizzly in TN

Day 7 with Grizzly in TN

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Discovered new log home company

Grizzly log homes

Mike HOmpertz, during his morning coffee, often surfs Craigs List  looking for whats new, during his travels he cam across Grizzly log homes  ad HOME OF THE  $10,000 log home kit!. What he found was exciting, this seems to be a new budding company out of Tennessee who has the primary purpose of selling affordable log home kits with out the frills. It is ideal for homeowners who have the adventure and skill, to do some of the building themselves.  Never hearing of them before , he called 1-888-261-9884 and spoke with Eric where he learned that the owner was rigorously searching for failing mills/log home companies to acquire with the intent to keep them up and running. Grizzy log homes has  a rather altruistic  approach to this companies philosophy...In there welcome statement it reads

 

"Our company was created to bring jobs back to our rural community"

 

Appalachian mountains

In about us it states
"Our company is your best source for professional, value driven low cost service. 

We cut the logs,  We mill the logs.  We sell the logs.  

You save the money!

There is no reason your dream home should be out of reach.  

2 reasons we exist (besides God's grace); 

1. Affordable housing.

2. Help the Appalachian economy.

We can set a home on your property for what others just sell the logs.

Pick on of our plans, or design your own.  We want to be part of building your dream1-888-261-9884

and futher on we read:

  " These homes should be around for your grandchildren.  Our society is changing & with the current economic climate, this allows you to have more home for less money, &..." this statement Mike found particularly to his liking and beliefs " control debt instead of debt controlling you!"

 

apparently Grizzly log homes specializes in Tulip polar

Tulip Poplar 

We specialize in Tulip Poplar logs which are perfect for log homes.  These are not a poplar log but tulip poplar log.  Tulip poplars are weather resistant, & termite resistant.  The Indians used these trees for canoes.  Pioneers preferred these logs to other logs for homes.  In fact they were exported to Europe because they were recognized as a superior log. 

The tulip tree is the state tree  of Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

It is native to eastern North America from Southern   Ontario and Illinois eastward across southern New England and south to central Florida and Louisiana. It can grow to more than 50 m (165 feet) in virgin cove forests of the Appalachian Mountains, often with no limbs until it reaches 25–30 m (80–100 feet) in height, making it a very valuable timber tree. It is fast-growing, without the common problems of weak wood strength and short lifespan often seen in fast-growing species.(thank you Wikipedia-liriodendron)

I learned that it is not an actual poplar, the Tulip Poplar but a member of the magnolia family. The  name is derived from the greenish-yellow tulip-like flowers that bloom spring. (Also, the leaves look like silhouettes of a tulip ) . Seeds are eaten by  birds and small animals, but aren't great favorites of any, except  cardinals. Once the seeds are blown away or devoured, the cones remain throughout the winter.

Tulip Poplar wood was  used by American pioneers and they last ! This log home  is from the 1830s and still standing! This is

Dog Trot House - A double pen log house separated by an open passage way covered by a single roof.

Finding this log home company has given Mike a new perspective on the value of poplar as a viable wood for log home building.

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