Photo 253-1
Landscape architecture - A timber staircase next to a timber retaining wall leads down to the lake front. (Shelby Township, Michigan)
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Photo 253-2
Structural design - Each tread of this timber staircase is attached to the timber retaining wall on the left, attached to the tread below, and placed upon compacted base material. This ensures permanence of the installation. (Shelby Township, Mi)
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Photo 253-3
Landscape architecture - The left side of the staircase is built slightly above the grade on the left to eliminate the need for a retaining wall near the neighbors property. (Shelby Twp, Michigan)
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Photo 253-4
Timber rot resistance - Many timber walls today are breaking down even though they were considered treated and some are only 5 years old. The problem is that they were processed too quickly. Had the lumber been given proper time to dry enough to reduce its moisture content to the right level, they would have acted as a sponge when the treatment process was applied (continued on next photo). (Shelby Twp, Mi)
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Photo 253-5
Timber rot resistance - Another problem with these Landscaping Timbers of old is that they were a mixture of what ever was cut down that day which unfortunately included Aspen which will not except these chemicals under any condition. That's why some timbers rot out quicker then their neighboring ones. (continued on next photo). (Macomb County, Michigan)
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Photo 253-6
Timber rot resistance - Unique Concepts Co. only installs timbers that are guaranteed to be red or yellow pine and that have been properly dried to the right moisture level prior to treatment. When this is the case, the lumber manufacturer will stamp the lumber, guaranteeing them for life. (Macomb County, Shelby Township, Michigan)
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Photo 253-7
Retaining wall design and construction - By splitting this timber wall into 3 terraced planters, the structural integrity of the entire project is sturdier and visual effect is far more superb since landscape material can be planted at each level thereby softening the appearance and making it much more 'Green Freindly'. (Shelby Township, Michigan)
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Photo 253-8
Landscaping - By leaving 3 ft of width in the planter beds, there exist adequate space for shrubs to grow large and still have room to maneuver to keep them trimmed. (Shelby Township, Mi)
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Photo 253-9
Retaining walls - Distant view shows how the timber retaining wall provides a much more useable and level back lawn. (Shelby Twp, Michigan)
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Photo 253-10
Timber wall design - Reverse angle shows how the lowest planter terminates into the planter above. (Shelby Twp, Mi)
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Photo 253-11
Timber wall construction - Miter cut on the timbersat the site of a soft turn. The right and left sides of each row are fastened together with spikes. (Macomb County, Michigan)
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Photo 253-12
Timber wall construction - At 4 ft intervals on every timberwall, there exist a 4 ft timber that is attached to the wall that runs back into the hillside behind it. another timber is fastened at 90 degrees to the backside creating a 'T' formation which is deeply imbedded into the hillside. This forms a tie back system that anchors the timber wall firmly in place. The 4" x 6" ends of these anchors are visible in the middle of these walls. (Shelby Township, Michigan)
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