Ben Meadows Blog

2009 Revision of the Munsell Soil Color Chart

2009-12-21T09:27:00.002-06:00

We finally got our hands on the new 2009 revision of the Munsell Soil Color Chart. We had heard of the changes, and couldn’t wait to see them for ourselves. They’ve made some pretty interesting upgrades. First up is what is now included:

A new high value, low chroma White page for light colored materials.
Popular 10Y, 5GY, 5R, and 7.5R charts for various soils (some with more global relevance)

More importantly, the color chips on the 2009 Munsell Soil Color Chart are now flush with the page. That means no more chips falling off and cleaning the pages is a lot easier (new water resistant pages help too). These improvements really make them much better than the older version.

We were kind of surprised that they changed the color of the binder to black. Everybody knows that a Munsell Soil Color Chart binder is blue! I guess it’s the dawn of a new age in soil classification.

Clean that Backpack Sprayer

2009-11-30T13:09:00.000-06:00

While filling my bird feeders last weekend, I heard some salty language coming from my neighbor’s garage. Naturally I had to take a peek to make sure there wasn’t an engine block resting on his toes or some furry unwanted visitor snuggled in his hay bales. It turns out that after spraying his flowerbed in August, he left his backpack chemical sprayer pressurized. A few of the softer parts looked as though they’d recently housed small but damaging firecrackers.

The lesson here is to always clean and depressurize your sprayers after use. My neighbor was only out a few dollars in replacement parts, but his job was delayed a day.

To clean your Backpack sprayer you should:

1) Depressurize the sprayer
2) Empty leftover material into a proper storage container
3) Flush out tank with cool water, mild detergent or a neutralizing agent according to manufacturer’s instructions.
4) Empty tank and flush again. This time pressurize the tank and pump the water or cleaning solution through the sprayer to flush the pump, reservoir, shutoff handle and extensions. Nozzles should be removed when flushing the pump system. Clean nozzles before replacing.
5) Empty Sprayer and dry completely with a clean cloth or by hanging upside down with the filler cap removed.

Not only will properly cleaning and storing of your sprayer ensure it will be ready for next season, failure to do so could void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Construction Site Water Pollution Final Rule

2009-11-24T07:43:00.001-06:00

From the EPA:

November 23, 2009
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a final rule to help reduce water pollution from construction sites. The agency believes this rule, which takes effect in February 2010 and will be phased in over four years, will significantly improve the quality of water nationwide.

Construction activities like clearing, excavating and grading significantly disturb soil and sediment. If that soil is not managed properly it can easily be washed off of the construction site during storms and pollute nearby water bodies.

The final rule requires construction site owners and operators that disturb one or more acres to use best management practices to ensure that soil disturbed during construction activity does not pollute nearby water bodies. In addition, owners and operators of sites that impact 10 or more acres of land at one time will be required to monitor discharges and ensure they comply with specific limits on discharges to minimize the impact on nearby water bodies. This is the first time that EPA has imposed national monitoring requirements and enforceable numeric limitations on construction site stormwater discharges.

Soil and sediment runoff is one of the leading causes of water quality problems nationwide. Soil runoff from construction has also reduced the depth of small streams, lakes and reservoirs, leading to the need for dredging.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction

Eyewear shades

2009-11-23T07:41:00.000-06:00

Last Friday a customer called in asking what the purpose is for the different shades and colors on safety glasses and sunglasses. That’s a good question. We polled a few of our eyewear suppliers and found these answers:

Amber or yellow –Enhances contrast in good light (as most shooters are aware)
Gray/Smoke/Espresso – Best for outdoor work in sunlight
Vermillion/purple/red – Enhances contrast, especially from fluorescent or halogen lighting
Cobalt/blue – Provides infrared protection so they’re good for metal or glass-blowing furnaces. They also help in sports by intensifying yellows and softening other colors
Indoor/Outdoor – These are mostly clear, with a slight gray tint. Best for jobs where you’re going back and forth between indoors and out.

Hope this helps!

Thanksgiving Recipes II - Pumpkin Cheesecake

2009-11-20T14:51:00.002-06:00

Almost forgot one of our favorites here:

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Crust
1 3/4 cups crushed ginger snaps
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted

Filling
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ginger
2 tablespoons bourbon, if desired
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
4 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs

Heat oven to 325°F. Grease 9-inch spring form pan.
Mix cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and the melted butter. Press crumb mixture in bottom of pan. Wrap foil around outside of pan to prevent drips. Bake crust 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool 5 minutes at room temperature. Refrigerate about 5 minutes or until completely cooled.
Beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually beat in brown sugar and 2/3 cup granulated sugar until smooth. On low speed, beat in 1 egg at a time just until blended. Gradually beat in flour, allspice, ginger, bourbon and pumpkin until smooth.
Pour filling over crust. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes or until set but center still jiggles slightly when moved. Turn oven off and let cheesecake remain in oven 30 minutes.
Run knife around edge of pan to loosen cheesecake. Cool in pan 30 minutes. Refrigerate at least 6 hours before serving.

Hori Hori Knife

2009-11-20T09:44:00.002-06:00

We recently added the new Hori Hori soil knife to our product line. As soon as we received our first shipment, I ordered one up for a field test. I’ve bought a number of similar knives over the years, but most seem to grow legs and walk away and I was conveniently in need of a new one.

The blade was durable enough. I confess I don’t use these as much for digging as I do for sawing through tough roots. The cutting edge worked it’s way through cedar and young maple roots without a problem and assuming I ever get around to planting bulbs, I suspect that the graduations on the blade will prove helpful. The sheath is a big upgrade from other models I’ve had as well. It actually fits and I’m pretty sure it won’t fall apart.

All in all it’s a good tool, and like all similar knives, it really feels good in the hand. Now let’s hope it doesn’t walk away too.

Thanksgiving Recipes

2009-11-19T12:44:00.001-06:00

Here at Ben Meadows we’re used to taking customer phone calls about clinometer repair, auto levels, microscopes and stuff like that. Lately though, we’ve had a few people asking for Thanksgiving recipes. Imagine that!

We polled our crew, and here are a few Thanksgiving recipes from members of the Ben Team. If you’re looking for something new, give one a try. You'll note that we stayed away from the main dish. We're pretty sure that one is covered.

Basic 7 Layer Salad (very easy and very basic)

Cut up lettuce at the bottom of your dish
Thinly spread with mayo or a similar product
Layer on:
Green pepper, diced
Green onion, diced
Celery, diced
Peas (prefer frozen)
Put more chopped lettuce on top of that with a fairly good layer of more mayo. Top it off with shredded cheddar cheese and crumpled up bacon or bits. (I fry a whole package of bacon extra crisp and crumble) and if you like you can also add sliced hard boiled eggs.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Potato mixture
3 C. canned sweet potatoes – drained
½ C. milk
2 eggs
1 stick margarine – softened (I usually only use about ¾ of a stick)
½ C. sugar
1 t. vanilla

Topping
1 C. brown sugar
1/3 C. flour
1/3 C. margarine – softened
1 C. pecans – chopped

Mix potato mixture together with electric mixer. Spread into a buttered 9x13 inch casserole dish. In a separate bowl mix the topping mixture. Add topping mixture. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

Free Shipping?

2009-07-07T13:44:00.004-05:00

Well, not exactly, but it’s like free shipping. We’ve recently launched a unique new “product” called Ben’s Shipping Deal. The concept is pretty simple – just purchase Ben’s Shipping Deal once for $39, and you won’t pay ground shipping fees for almost any orders for the next 12 months. Of course there are a number of terms and conditions that we describe on the web site, but for most of us it’s a darn smart idea.

We got the idea from some customers who were putting off restocking their tree marking paint until someone had a promotion. And now? They’re saving $20-$40 each time they order. Most importantly, they can order whenever they want.

Pretty cool!

New Forestry Supplies Web Page

2009-01-28T08:27:00.003-06:00

Check out our new Forestry Supplies page on the Ben Meadows Website. When Mr. Ben Meadows sat at a kitchen table in 1956 and started the company we still have today, he started it with foresters in mind. In keeping the tradition alive we have introduced this Forestry Supplies page on our website to make it easier to access the products you need, such as gps units and supplies, tree measurement equipment, such as tree calipers, tree marking paint and more. We tried to include all of those tools needed by those of us who have the outdoors as our office. If we are forgetting something, let us know and we will work to get it added to our forestry supply line.

Word to the Wise for Winter Storms

2008-12-19T09:31:00.006-06:00

This morning the Ben Team woke up to a Wisconsin Winter Wonderland, which, admittedly, can be a beautiful scene when taking a sleigh ride through the woods, but, the 8 inches of snow that had to be shoveled out of my driveway, and the car that needed a push to make it back onto the road on my way to work just solidified to me that winter is definitely here. I just wanted to remind all of our readers that there are precautions that should be taken for winter storms in order to ensure the safety of ourselves and our families. It is important to stock up on supplies that will be needed in case you get snowed in such as non-perishable food items, drinkable water (1 gallon per person per day), flashlights, extra batteries, prescription medications, pet supplies, and fuel for your heating source. Remember to keep plenty of fuel in your automobile and have a shovel and some ice melter on hand to keep the ice and snow at bay. Also, having a portable weather radio can keep you updated about weather conditions. Taking some precautions can make it easier to wait out the storm this winter.

How do you prepare for inclimate weather? Do you make an emergency kit for your house or vehicle, and if so what do you put in it?

Synthetic versus Down Sleeping Bags

2008-11-14T14:40:00.002-06:00

When choosing a sleeping bag and deciding between a synthetic and a down sleeping bag, the main points to consider are comfort, allergies, moisture resistance, durability and cost. There are die-hard fans of down sleeping bags that consider down to provide the most warmth and to be the most comfortable. But there are many synthetic sleeping bags on the market today that can withstand very low temperatures and are just as comfortable as down sleeping bags. If you have allergies, choosing a synthetic sleeping bag may be the more appropriate choice as many people are allergic to down feathers. In terms of moisture resistance, synthetic sleeping bags tend to stay drier easier than down sleeping bags. Concerning durability, there are higher and lower-quality down and synthetic sleeping bags. Durability is more a matter of how well the sleeping bag is made versus whether it is down or synthetic. Cost also is a big factor in choosing a sleeping bag. You can find an expensive well-made down sleeping bag that can match the cost and quality of a well-made synthetic sleeping bag.

Choosing the right sleeping bag is a matter of personal preference. With such a variety of choices available, take the time to weigh the pros and cons of synthetic versus down sleeping bags and choose one that matches your own specific needs.

Soil pH: Raising or Lowering?

2008-07-25T12:36:00.011-05:00

Soil pH is obviously very important for healthy plant growth. We have a variety of soil pH testers and test kits to aid in determining the pH of your soil, and we have learned, from our own personal experience as well as from chatting with our customers, a few tricks to manipulate soil pH to provide a healthier environment for plants.

Soil pH can be lowered to a more acidic level by adding materials such as wood chips, leaf mold, sawdust or composted leaves. Sulfur may also be used to lower the soil pH. The amount of material used depends on the amount of ground and the type of soil you are dealing with. For example, by adding approximately 1 oz. of ground rock sulfur to one square yard of sandy soil (3.5 oz of sulfur per 1 square yard of clay soil) you can reduce the pH of the soil by approximately 1.0 point.

Bone meal, crushed oyster shells, and crushed marble are three substances that can be added to soil to increase the pH to a more alkaline level. In extreme cases the pH can also be raised significantly by adding lime. Again, the amount of lime that you add depends on the area of ground and the type of soil. For instance, you would add approximately 4 oz. of hydrated lime per one square yard of ground, if you are dealing with sandy soils, to raise the pH by 1.0 point. This ratio should be increased to approximately 12 oz. of hydrated lime per one square yard of ground to raise the pH by 1.0 point if you are working with clay soils.

pH changes in the soil take time because each unit change in pH is a 10-fold difference in acidity or alkalinity, so it is best to change the pH over several seasons. In cases of extreme pH in the soil it may be better to do your plantings in a raised bed, rather than adding mass amounts of chemicals to the soil to raise or lower the soil pH.

Does anyone have other ideas for getting more successful plantings? Other tricks to alter soil pH?

Selecting The Proper Increment Borer

2007-08-30T14:10:00.003-05:00

Finding the right increment borer can be a simple matter of the size and type of trees to be sampled. Bit length, thread style, and core diameter are the key features to keep in mind when choosing a borer.

The proper bit length depends on the diameter of trees to be sampled. Bit length should be equal to approximately ½ the diameter of the tree.

Increment borers are available in either two- or three-thread designs. Which design you choose depends largely on the type of trees to be sampled. Two-thread borer bits are more suitable for harder wood. They turn slower and generate more strength during a turn. This results in deeper penetration with each turn.

Three-thread borer bits grab the wood faster, and turn more easily. However, threading is not the only factor influencing the ease and speed of taking tree cores. Wood type, friction, and the capabilities of the user all help determine whether the core sample will be taken easily.

Diameter of a core is determined by the inside diameter of the thread end of the bit. The most common sizes are 4.3 mm, 5.0 mm, and 5.15 mm, depending on the manufacturer. The larger diameters are most often used for measuring the fiber length of wood and for quantitative analysis when larger samples are required.

Once the proper increment borer has been selected, a few maintenance tips will help ensure a long life for the borer. Tree sap and moisture can etch, pit, or otherwise damage the borer making it ineffective, so borers should always be cleaned prior to storage.

Use WD-40 or any light oil and a tissue or cloth to clean borer bits. If rust becomes a problem, fine steel wool may be substituted for the tissue or cloth. After cleaning, beeswax may be applied to the borer threads and shank for ease of operation and to help protect the tip. All parts should be dry prior to storage. If small nicks develop in the tip of the borer that cannot be removed with steel wool, they can often be repaired by the manufacturer.

How to Choose The Right Personal Flotation Device!

2007-08-06T13:16:00.000-05:00

Boating accident studies reveal that most drowning deaths occur when individuals are not wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). The importance of PFDs has been further supported by a significant decrease in drowning fatalities since the U.S. Coast Guard approved the highly popular Type III general flotation aid as an acceptable PFD.

While all PFDs have limitations, most can successfully prevent a drowning death if they meet basic criteria such as:

The PFD must be readily available

The PFD functions to keep the wearer's head out of water

The PFD must be durable and reliable enough to perform when needed

PFDs are classified into 5 different types. These divisions are based on use and overall protection provided.

Type I PFDs / Off-Shore Life Jackets—These are the best overall PFDs, and should be used in the open ocean, rough seas, remote waters and where rescue may be slow in coming.

Type II PFDs / Near-Shore Buoyant Vests—Type II vests are for general boating activities, and can be used in calm inland waters, or where there is a good chance of fast rescue.

Type III PFDs / Flotation Aids— A common flotation vest, a Type III PFD is for general boating in specialized recreational activities, and are marked accordingly.

Type IV PFDs / Throwable Devices—Unlike the previous vests, these PFDs are designed to be thrown to someone stranded in the water. Typical Type IV devices are Ring Buoys. Also available are Flotation Cushions.

Type V PFDs / Special Use Devices—While these devices apear similar to other types, they are specalized for such uses as work vests, man-overboard rescue devices, law enforcement flotation devices and whitewater vests.

Untimately, the safest PFD is one a person is willing to wear at all times.

For more information on Personal Flotation Devices and water safety, see the U. S. Coast Guard website.
http://www.uscg.mil/

What the Heck is a Mosquito Dunk?

2007-03-19T13:39:00.000-05:00

Mosquito Dunks are little 'donuts' containing a bacteria called Bti which is toxic to mosquito larvae. The idea is to place these dunks in a shallow stagnant water body where mosquitoes lay their eggs, such as an old tire, birdbath, or even a coffee can partially filled with water. As the material in the dunk dissolves, it becomes a food source for the mosquito larvae. Over time, the Bti infects the larvae and it dies.

Effectiveness - I can personally attest that this stuff works, but it is important to remember that this is a food source. If someone tries to put a dunk in a pond that already has plenty of good muck for larvae to eat, it probably won't work very well.

Toxicity - These are safe to use around fish and wildlife (per the manufacturer). The Bti has undergone a lot of toxicity testing, and all the inert ingredients are all food grade and medical grade.

pH Meters and Calibration

2007-03-02T12:32:00.000-06:00

ALL pH meters need to be calibrated using buffer solutions. The brand doesn't matter—you could use Oakton solutions with a Hanna meter or vice versa.

So what buffers will you need? Everyone will need a pH 7 buffer. Some of the economical meters say they have "one point calibration". In this case, all you need is the 7 buffer. For meters that have 2- or 3-point calibration you will need a 7 along with either a 4 or 10 buffer. You may need both, depending on the type of solutions you are testing. You'll want a lower range buffer (4) for solutions that are more acidic or have a low-pH range and a higher range buffer (10) for more basic solutions.

How To Test for Soil Compaction

2007-02-23T10:18:00.000-06:00

Soil compaction occurs below the surface, so it's hard to spot. The best way to test for it is to probe the soil with a compaction tester to a depth of 36" to 48". The testing rod should move down through the soil with steady, even pressure. Hard, compacted soils resist penetration with the rod. Often penetration abruptly stops at a fairly uniform depth across a field or landscape area. This is referred to as "plowpan". For trees and shrubs, comparing root growth inside and outside the root ball is a quick way to tell if compaction is a problem. If you find evidence of compaction, dig to the depth indicated and check for abnormal root growth.

Soil compaction tools range from manual soil compaction rods to digital recording compaction meters. With a manual compaction rod, you can tell when you hit a hard compacted layer. Dial compaction probes tell you how much pressure (in pounds per square inch) it takes to penetrate the soil via a needle moving across a scale on the display. Digital compaction meters are similar to the dial probes, but they give you a digital reading and have the ability to record the depth and pressure for each test. No matter which tool you choose, make sure that the probe has depth markings so if you hit a compacted layer you will know how deep to go in order to correct the problem.

Ben Meadows Repairs

2007-02-12T12:26:00.000-06:00

We'll do the repair...

Ben Meadows offers repair service on SUUNTO® precision units and SPENCER® Logger tapes here at our facility. We can also sharpen your Increment Borers when they're in need of a clean up.

Got something we can't fix? We'll find someone who can!

We work with a multitude of vendors and can coordinate a 3rd party repair upon your request!

Need help diagnosing a problem?

Call (800-241-6401 x5221) or Email our Technical Support and we'll help you figure out what's wrong with your instrument, get you the replacement parts you need or set up an in house or 3rd party repair for your unit.

We have the parts you need to get it fixed!

We carry a number of replacement parts for products we stock. Like SOLO® Sprayers, Drip Torches, Water Testing Kits and Soil Sampling Equipment.

Remember, you can give us a Call (800-241-6401 x5221) or send us an Email and we'll help you keep your instruments in working order!

GPS Antennas

2007-01-02T13:55:00.000-06:00

All GPS receivers have one of two types of built-in antennas. Either Quad-Helix or Patch. The differences are important depending on the use.

Quad-Helix antennas perform better under tree canopies. You'll notice that the Garmin GPS 72 mentions "better satellite tracking even under tree canopy". That's because this receiver has a quad-helix antenna. Many other receivers we carry have quad-helix antennas as well.

Patch antennas work better near steep cliff walls or tall buildings. You'll often find a patch antenna in true recreational receivers designed for hikers, such as the eTrex series.

Just about all external antennas are patch antennas. This kind of makes sense, because most of these are designed to be placed on the roof of a car. Much more likely that your Cadillac El Dorado will be near a tall building than in the middle of a cypress bog.

S.A.M.E. Technology and Weather Radios

2006-12-12T11:37:00.000-06:00

Most All Hazard radios receive and pass along any National Weather Service warnings within signal range even though the emergency could be well away from the listener. In order to reduce the number of alerts received, many newer weather radios feature Specific Area Message Encoding (S.A.M.E.). As the name implies, S.A.M.E. allows the user to program specific areas into their radio. Once programmed, alerts will only be detected if there is a warning for the pre-programmed location.

A digital S.A.M.E. code is broadcast at the beginning and end of all National Weather Service urgent radio messages. This S.A.M.E. code contains the type of message or alert, the county or counties affected, and expiration of the message. S.A.M.E. weather radios will only alert if the message affects the pre-programmed counties.

To select a specific county, a six-digit S.A.M.E. code needs to be programmed into the radio. Instructions for programming are located in manuals acoompanying the radios, and codes can be found online or by calling the National Weather Service.

DANGER! Emerald Ash Borer is on the Loose!

2006-11-27T13:24:00.000-06:00

Updated Regulations!

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) destruction can be prevented by using our product number 152310, the ACECAP97®.

ACECAP® contains Orthene, a non-restricted use systemic insecticide. That means no record keeping, special equipment or protective clothing is required.

The best time to apply the insecticide is in early Spring, March to early April. This will ensure protection prior to the beginning of the EAB's life cycle and prior to the tree starting its growth cycle.

One treatment will last three months and through the larvae stage of the Emerald Ash Borer.

Note: This product will not work on trees that are already infected with EAB.

Required tools for ACECAP97® implant application:

Drill with 3/8" bit
Tape measure
Hammer
1/4" dowel rod

Instructions for ACECAP97® implant application:

One hole should be drilled about six to eight inches off the ground every four inches around the tree's circumference. The number of implants per tree can be calculated by taking the tree diameter x 3.14 and dividing by four. Trees with a three inch diameter or less will only require one implant.
Each hole should be drilled 1-1/4" deep. This depth will give enough space between the implant and the bark for the tree to heal itself.
Once the hole is drilled, place the implant into the hole.
Tap the implant with the dowel rod until seated.
Measure four inches and repeat the process until you have the required implants seated.

This will sucessfully protect your Ash tree from the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer.

For more information on how you can help prevent the spread of the EAB go to http://www.emeraldashborer.info/.

Notice: Effective April 2, 2007,
the Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
has amended the Emerald Ash Borer Regulations. They have now designated the
states of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, in their eitirety, as quarantined
areas. This action is necessary to prevent the artificial spread of the
Emerald Ash Borer into non-infested areas of the United States. As a
result of this action, the interstate movement of regulated articles from those
states is restricted.

Munsell Color System

2006-11-15T15:58:00.000-06:00

The Munsell color system was devised as a way to describe all of the different shades of color. It assigns a number value to every color imaginable, so it's useful for everything from mixing paints, to interior decorating, to classifying soil and plant colors. The Munsell notation is composed of 3 parts: Hue, Value, and Chroma. You can think of the Hue as the actual color, the Value as how light or dark it is, and Chroma as the vividness of the color.

An example of the notation is 10YR 5/8. For this 'chip', 10YR is the Hue, 5 is the Value and 3 is the Chroma. So it's a Yellow/Red that isn't very light or dark, and is quite vivid.

Take a look at one of our TechInfo documents that describes the Munsell color system in more detail! Click the TechInfo logo below and check it out:

Sieves for Soil Testing

2006-11-09T09:59:00.000-06:00

When testing soil, sieves are used to quantify particle size of soil or gravel. A series of sieves are placed on top of one another, with the largest mesh opening at the top and the smallest mesh opening at the bottom. The sieves are then shaken and the amount of material of different size is measured. Check out our Keck Sieve Kit for a good idea of how this looks.

Sieves are generally described by the mesh opening size, which is basically how big the holes are in the 'screen'. Be aware that there are two different ways of describing this size—either in standard metric units or in English units. For Example: Ben Meadows part number 92057 has a mesh opening of 100 millimeters or 4 inches. We list both of these designations along with each sieve. If you want a sieve with a mesh size of 100, please let us know if you mean 100mm or 100 mesh.

Clinometer Scales!

2006-10-30T13:13:00.000-06:00

There are a number of different scales on the clinometers you'll find in our catalogs and on our Web site. Here is an overview:

1. First up, a 66 foot scale (Brunton) is the same as a Topographic scale (Suunto). This scale is going to give a direct reading of a height of the object being measured. By walking 66 feet (which is 1 chain) from the base of the tree the scale will give a direct reading in feet of the height of the object. Metric versions are basically the same, but rely on meters not chain lengths.

2. The Percent scale can be used to get the percent grade of a slope or to figure heights as well. This scale allows you to be any distance from the tree and still calculate the tree height. For example if you read to the top of the tree at 72% and at the bottom to -6% and you are 100 ft from the base of the tree. It would be (.72-(-.06)*100=78 feet tall.

3. The Degree scale simply gives the angle in degrees away from being level. This is very useful in geology when determining the strike and dip of land forms. It also greatly aids in maneuvering in a submarine, but I rarely speak to naval admirals about this.

4. The Secant scale has one major use—working on sloped terrain. Let's say you're at the bottom of a large hill, and you need the height of a tree growing at the top of that hill. The secant scale will allow you to do this without having to take several different measurements.

Vertical or Horizontal? Depends on the Water!

2006-10-17T09:16:00.000-05:00

Water bottles can be either vertical, like Kemmerer bottles, or horizontal like Van Dorn bottles. Both are designed for grabbing a sample of water at a known depth in a body of water.

Vertical bottles (like the Kemmerer bottle pictured above) are best for sampling wells or other areas where you need a "narrow" sample. If you're sampling where the Yahara River empties into Lake Kegonsa, you would probably want to use a Kemmerer to take samples (1) where the river first enters the lake (2) where the river water mixes and (3) where there is only lake water.

Horizontal bottles (such as the Van Dorn bottle above) are best for very shallow water or if lakes are really stratified. You know how lakes develop a layer of warm water on top of cold water? Well, a horizontal Van Dorn bottle can get fairly accurate samples above, below and right at the line where the water mixes.

Information provided by Mr. Jack Schaffer

Forestry Terms You Should Know!!

2006-10-12T11:23:00.000-05:00

Chain- one chain equals 66 feet. This distance was chosen because it can be worked into acres relatively easily. An acre is a measurement of area (feet squared) and 66 feet squared is 4,356 ft square. So 10 chains squared equals 43,560 ft square which is one acre. A convenient way to measure these distances is to use a hip chain like the one featured on the left.

Board Foot- is a measure of total volume. One board foot is 12 inches wide by 12 inches length by one inch thick. To calculate board feet take length x width x thickness and divide that number by 12. For example a 2 inch by 6 inch by 8 foot board has 8 board feet in it.

Basal Area- is a measure of tree crowding. The higher the number, the more crowded the forest is. Gauges and prisms (like the one on the left) help foresters calculate basal area. So if a forester tallies 10 trees with a 10 factor angle prism, the basal area will be 100 square feet.

Waterproof Hiking Boots

2006-10-11T09:45:00.000-05:00

Has anyone ever used BOGS Boots?

I tried them during a hike in Lake Tahoe last summer and my feet sweat like crazy. Yeah, they're waterproof but the label also says "breathable". My feet didn't feel very breathable...is there a trick to stop your feet from overheating while hiking in these? Or maybe I should save them for colder weather hikes?

Survey Winner

2006-09-08T09:24:00.000-05:00

If you're here via a recent edition of The Natural Resource thanks for dropping by! You've probably already read the news about our survey winner.

You don't have a FREE subscription to The Natural Resource, you say? You can get one if you register on our Web site by clicking here. As a subscriber you get helpful tips, informative articles and entertaining stories, plus you'll be the first to know about new product information and special offers from Ben Meadows. And, best of all, it comes to you absolutely FREE! Oh, and by the way:

We have a survey winner!

Your feedback is a vital part of how Ben Meadows has remained the best source for the products Outdoor Pros need to get their jobs done. One of the tools we use to learn how to serve you better is the survey.

We included one in our latest catalog. We're very grateful to everyone who took the time to let us know what we're doing right and what improvements we can make for you.

If you turned in your survey before Aug. 15, you were eligible to win a Swiss Army® knife or our grand prize of a camping gear package worth $339.00. Congratulations to all the winners, especially Eva from Connecticut who won the grand prize.

Thanks again to everyone who participated. And remember, you don't have to wait for a survey to let us know what you think. Call (1-800-241-6401) or write us at editor@benmeadows.com anytime with your comments and suggestions.

We’re Telling

2006-05-26T11:00:00.000-05:00

We recently found this picture from last winter of Ben Product Manager, Paul in our parking lot:

While we think Paul is a great guy we normally wouldn’t believe a picture of him hanging out in the parking lot would warrant anyone’s attention. Even the fact that this photo was taken when Paul was helping a customer solve an issue with a rotating laser level isn’t anything out of the ordinary. After all, finding Ben Team Members going the extra mile to provide the finest customer service in the industry is pretty much the norm around here.

No. The reason we’re posting this picture is so Paul’s mom will see that he was outside in zero-degree weather without a winter coat.

If we can’t get Paul to wear the proper gear then maybe his mother can.

Going out on a Limb for his Customers

2006-04-18T14:08:00.000-05:00

Ben Meadows Product Manager, Gary recently traveled to Georgia for a tree climbers’ Course.

Gary already has plenty of experience with the tree climbing and arborist equipment Ben Meadows offers. However he sought an even better understanding of these products. After all, the men and women who use this gear often times stake their lives on its quality and durability. That’s reason enough to get Gary to go all the way to Tree Climbers' International in Decatur, Georgia and up a tree -- a very large tree.

After two days of rigging, knots, throw weights and anchor points Gary came back from Georgia and said; “I feel this training was excellent.”

However, despite learning a great deal and enjoying the experience, we don’t think Gary has plans to leave Ben Meadows for life as a tree surgeon any time soon. Gary says, “My respect for heights is at an all time high.”

Stay Tuned for Products From Ben Meadows

2006-02-17T14:02:00.000-06:00

Here's a photo of Josh Bernstein with some tree climbing gear. Josh is the host of the hit History Channel series, Digging for the Truth.

A while back our Business Unit Manager, Hava loaned the tree climbing gear you see in the photo to the producers of Josh's show. On Monday, February 20 at 9:00 p.m. (Eastern) you can see Josh in action along with the equipment Hava sent.

The title of Monday's show is Roanoke: The Lost Colony. In this episode Josh is trying to discover what happened to a group of 100 colonists who disappeared while attempting to establish England's first permanent colony on Roanoke Island, North Carolina during the late 1500's. At one point, Josh climbs and cores a cypress tree to study the climate conditions on Roanoke Island back in 1587. That's when we think you'll see the gaffs and saddle from Ben Meadows.

We say we think you'll see the gaffs and saddle because we haven't actually seen the episode yet. However we did hear that poor Josh suffered a nasty brown recluse spider bite while up in the tree. We don't know if they'll mention this tidbit during the show, but we thought you'd want to know the sacrifice Josh made to inform and entertain us.

As for the gaffs and saddle; we couldn't put them back into stock. In fact, they're demanding their own dressing room.

Pants That Fit

2006-02-07T09:22:00.000-06:00

If you’re a woman and an Outdoor Pro you’ve probably experienced difficulty finding gear that fits. The Ben Team has heard this complaint quite a bit. Professional quality products have traditionally been available only in men's sizes and cuts. So, for years, women Outdoor Pros have had trouble finding clothes, boots, gloves, etc. crafted just for them.

With this in mind, our Business Unit Manager, Hava is constantly in search of products that work for women. This is why she recently gave a pair of Arborwear pants a try. While these pants are not designed specifically for women they are designed for tree climbers. This means they have a shorter more tapered leg and the waist fits a little higher in order to prevent chafing from sitting in a saddle all day. These features intrigued Hava and she discovered the pants fit really well.

Hava’s not the only person who has found these pants work well for women. An Outdoor Pro in Arkansas, Linny also tried a pair of size 28 Arborwear pants and this is what she had to say:

I just wanted to drop you and line and let you know how much I appreciate them. . . they are exactly what you said. . . they fit, they are well made and they will last out in the woods. . . I will definitely use them in the field . . .

In addition to experimenting with existing products, the Ben Team has been working hard to find high-quality field gear created especially for women. Product Manger, Paul M. has added great gear like field coats from Sorel, rain suits from Helly Hansen, work shoes from Timberland and thermal base layers from Medalist. Check out our Web site for our ever-expanding selection of right-sized, professional quality gear for women.

We’re grateful that Linny let us know about gear that works for women in the field. We’d also like to hear from you. If you have had an experience with any of our products that will help female Outdoor Pros (or any Outdoor Pro for that matter) choose the right equipment drop Hava a line at:

h.berman@benmeadows.com

We’ll be sure to share your comments here.

Texas Shoot-Out

2006-01-17T15:12:00.000-06:00

John, from Round Rock, Texas recently wrote to us for a quote on white marking tape. He plans to use it during the Texas Shoot-Out Javelina Bowhunt which has been held on the Callaghan Ranch near Laredo for the past 26 years. The white tape will be used to mark hunting areas during the Shoot-Out on the ranch.

The Shoot-Out attracts more than 900 hunters from around the world. According to registration materials the hunt takes place on, “. . . approximately 90,000 acres of the thorny, cactus infested terrain of the South Texas brush country.” The rules of hunt are clear with bag limits of two javelinas, one bobcat, one mountain lion, one badger and all legal varmints (by the way, there are no limits on the number of feral hogs, coyotes, rabbits or rattlesnakes that may be hunted).

John’s email was of particular interest to our Business Unit Manager, Hava. Actually, it was the word javelina that caught her attention. You see, Hava spent 6th grade at Smith Middle School in Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. Turns out there are a lot of javelinas running around Ft. Huachuca. In fact, Hava remembers asking her Dad to chase them off their front lawn before school each morning just so she could get her bike. And can you guess what nickname the other students at Smith Middle School gave Hava?

Needless to say Hava becomes a little jumpy when she hears about 900 individuals armed with high-powered bows all hunting javelinas.

But what we really want to know is how Product Manager, Paul M. (a University of Wisconsin graduate) feels about the Shoot-Out’s one badger limit.

Preserving the Prairie

2005-11-14T13:41:00.000-06:00

Recently Ben Team Members, Hava, Jack, Gary and Steve volunteered their time to help clear portions of land owned by a local technical college.

Blackhawk Technical College, here in Janesville, is fortunate to have a large area of property that has remained virtually untouched over the years. It was discovered that this undisturbed land contained a prairie remnant. Unfortunately this remnant was slowly being consumed by an overgrowth of honeysuckle and buckthorn. A group of volunteers from the college decided it was time to act before the prairie was lost forever.

The Ben Team joined in the effort to remove some of the overgrowth. They also did a little product testing by bringing along some brush clearing tools found in our catalog.

The group was successful in clearing a path through the land which will be valuable to future efforts. A club, at the college, has been established to help further the progress that has been made to restore the prairie.

Keep them safe? Make them ugly!

2005-10-12T10:41:00.000-05:00

Technical Product Manager, Gary got a call from a customer named Joe who lives and works in the Southern U.S.

Joe has a tip for keeping your Christmas trees from being stolen this season. Make them ugly with non-permanent paint. Joe even offered to share a recipe for ugly paint with his fellow Ben Meadow's customers:

1-gal. Water
15-oz. Hydrated Lime
4-oz. Wilt Pruf
3-oz. Food Dye [Your choice of color; as long as it's ugly.]

Mix and apply. The paint will wash off after a couple of rain falls.

Product Reviews From Ben for Ben

2005-09-14T13:32:00.000-05:00

This is Ben:

Ben is in the military and stationed in Iraq. While there, Ben agreed to take a few items from our catalog out for a spin and report back to us with the results. Here is what Ben had to say about testing these products, a little about his methodology and a review of our Kestrel 2500 Wind Speed/Temperature Meter:

I have really enjoyed running these Ben Meadow's products through field trials here in Iraq. I tried to incorporate the gear into my normal routine and to carry items with me during each work day so as to subject it to common wear-and-tear, operating stresses and usage patterns. I attempted to expose the equipment to the widely varying, extreme environmental conditions found in the desert during the summer season.

I tried to evaluate and assign an over-all product rating based on several sub-ratings. The over-all product ratings are: extremely impressed, highly impressed, moderately impressed, and not impressed. . . The sub-ratings that I use are: performance, appearance, physical set-up, and quality of construction. Sub-ratings carried different values and weightings depending on the particular equipment being tested.

Performance is always critical, but high marks in other sub-ratings carried a shifting weight towards my final opinion depending on the nature of the product. . .

I was extremely impressed with the over-all utility (performance, appearance, physical set-up and quality of construction) of the Kestrel 2500 wind speed/temperature meter.

I would highly recommend this instrument for all intended uses. The Kestrel is a very sturdy, durable instrument. The clear plastic over the digital read-out has remained scratch free though being operated in a very sandy/dusty environment. I used the instrument during the worst sandstorms that I encountered in Iraq and it performed flawlessly.

I carried this item with me constantly and used it several times per day for several months. The appearance and color of the Kestrel are very appealing. Whenever I would start using it, those around me would come over and ask what it was and if they could try it. The protective case is very durable and easy to remove and replace. The Kestrel is well-designed for ease and comfort of use. The physical set-up makes for a comfortable fit to the hand while using control buttons and reading screen (buttons positioned in the correct position relative to rest of unit for easy operation).

The light works very well. The molded depression within the plastic on the back of the unit fits the index finger of the operator perfectly and provides for a firm grip. I like the lanyard. The name and the logo for this unit are appealing. The small size and light weight of the unit are very desirable. The battery life for this unit under frequent use is extended. The highest wind speed I measured was 30 mph. The highest temperature I recorded was 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Improvements to the unit that I would recommend would be to make the lanyard detachable and to make replacement of the protective cover an option if broke or lost. The unit required from three to five minutes from turn-on to reach a stable temperature reading. This may be comparable to other similarly priced units. There were times when waiting for the temperature reading to stabilize wasn't feasible. . . The wind speed propeller did become coated with dust, but was easy to clean with Q-tips. The propeller bearings may have been slightly affected by constant dust as I hear some friction that wasn't present when new, but this doesn't seem to be a problem.

We'll be posting more product reviews from Ben in the near future so be sure to check back here for the latest from Iraq.

Cal/OSHA Calls for Emergency Heat Stress Regulations

2005-08-08T14:46:00.000-05:00

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has called for a special meeting of their Standards Board on August 12. The meeting is to recommend that emergency regulations be implemented for outdoor workers. The regulations include provisions for heat stress prevention/treatment training, availability of water and access to shaded areas.

For more information about these regulations follow this link:

http://occupationalhazards.com/articles/13815

Can you tell us about how you deal with the heat? Sharing information about techniques or products you utilize to stay cool and productive would be extremely helpful for all of us dealing with hot weather.

Leave a comment or send your emails to:
s.lierk@benmeadows.com

Keeping the Spirit Alive

2005-07-29T09:16:00.000-05:00

We love to hear stories from customers who have met Ben Meadows; the man who started it all. Each time we hear about these encounters people, invariably, tell us about what a tremendous person Ben was.

David A., from Florida, recently wrote to us about his experience meeting Ben:

I first met Ben Meadows at the 1980 SAF convention in Boston, Mass. What really impressed me at the time and made me customer was that he seemed to be genuinely interested in me as a young forester-to-be and what I foresaw my future to be. He struck me as a trustworthy person and someone I'd want to do business with in that future. I hope that his spirit will not be lost.

Thanks, David. You can rest assured we're working hard, each day, to maintain the high standard of excellence Ben set, not just for his business, but for his entire life.

We Like Dan's Hat

2005-07-05T11:51:00.000-05:00

A customer, Dan, sent us this photo of himself, in his Ben Meadows cap, enjoying himself at The Bier Stube in Seattle.

He wants to be on the cover of our next catalog.

Dan, meet us in Wisconsin and bring a couple of full "boots" along with you.

We'll talk. . .

Shocking Pig Problems

2005-06-21T13:11:00.000-05:00

Jamie in Florida told us about a problem at her husband's landscaping business. He recently planted some expensive shrubbery for a customer living next to a golf course. At night, wild pigs sneak in and dig up the pricey ornamentals to dine on the roots.

Jamie and her husband tried electric fencing to keep the pigs at bay. Unfortunately golfers trying to retrieve lost balls found the solution rather shocking.

The neighborhood association made Jamie and her husband seek an alternative to the fencing. They are going to try Havahart Critter Ridder to keep the hogs from killing the plants.

Paul's Power Puller

2005-06-21T09:08:00.000-05:00

Paul, a customer in North Carolina, gave Ben Meadows Business Unit Manager Hava a call a few days ago to talk about Power Pullers. Here's how Hava described their conversation:

Paul lives on 12-acres with lots of large trees that were damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Hugo. After Hugo, Paul needed a lifting/pulling device to help him clear his property.

During our conversation, I discovered that Paul is feisty and fun. He described himself as penurious and mentioned his frugality. This explained why in 1989 he had a hard time buying our 3-ton Power Puller ($125 back then). Despite his penuriousness he went ahead and ordered the Power Puller and used it to haul off those damaged/dead trees.

While using his Power Puller to clear his property there was one particularly hairy moment when a tree almost fell on Paul. Fortunately, the Power Puller held tight and Paul maintains the device saved his life! Over the years, he’s tried to break the Power Puller. He’s left it outside in the elements, thrown it in the back of his four pickup trucks and generally just beat the heck out of it. Paul wants everyone to know the Power Puller is made with the finest American made cast iron possible. He uses it daily. In fact, he even offered to speak to any customers that had questions about it!

Even though Paul is technically retired, he still owns two businesses. The first one is called the Fat Old Elf Workshop. The second is called Big Crack Lumber. Yes indeed, both titles are self explanatory but he decided to expound on the second one (he must’ve heard my giggles). One day, Paul was cutting lumber in Alabama and forgot to wear his suspenders. His tech-savvy son had just purchased a digital camera and snapped a photo of his dad’s backside during the cutting operation. When Paul saw the picture, he laughed and decided to call his business Crack Lumber. His son then replied, "No Dad, you should call it Big Crack Lumber!"

If you'd like to take a look at a Power Puller you can check them out on our Web site by clicking here.

Llamas Eating Your Trees?

2005-06-15T15:22:00.000-05:00

A customer called to ask us how to stop his llamas from chewing on the bark of his fruit trees.

A little research revealed that llamas hate the scent of their own waste (we were shocked).

The recommendation was to mix llama manure with water and spray it on the trees.

We haven't heard if our customer has attempted this solution. However we're confident that it will be effective not only for llamas but for numerous other creatures as well.

Outdoor University

2005-06-03T09:16:00.000-05:00

Outdoor University provides a hands-on educational experience for those employed in the Outdoor Industry. The 2005 event brought together nearly 70 vendors, 277 employees from 44 companies throughout 10 states.

Paul and Gary, from the Ben Meadows Team, attended this year's get-together held in Devil's Lake State Park near Baraboo, Wisconsin. Here's what they had to say:

This was an excellent day for both Gary and me. This workshop is set up to teach folks about how to be better prepared to sell different manufacturers' products.

There were plenty of opportunities to get our hands on a number of new products. Being able to test drive these products goes a long way in helping us better prepare to answer customer questions as well as make sure our catalog copy is precise and as helpful as possible.

Paul using a Brunton spotting scope to view climbers testing new climbing gear on the rock faces overlooking Devil's Lake State Park. A representative from Brunton is giving a solar power clinic in the background.

A view from the cliffs overlooking the Outdoor University set-up on the south shore of Devil's Lake.

Paul taking a break from the hike.

Paul and Gary discussing which trail to follow near the top of the cliffs.

Paul and Gary enjoying a well deserved break and an excellent bird's eye view of Devil's Lake.

One Customer's Story

2005-06-02T15:39:00.000-05:00

A customer in New Jersey recently wrote to us about an experience he had with one of our products. We thought we'd share his story with you:

To Whom It May Concern:

I recently ordered REDI-RITE Holders for each of my field staff and myself from BEN MEADOWS. Two-weeks ago while supervising excavation activities at one of our project sites an accident occurred that put the quality of these holders to the test.

I had been using the holder to keep track of where the soil was being sent. While I went to take a few photographs of the excavation for our records I left the holder on the ground by where I was standing. As I was returning to get the holder, I saw one of the track excavators moving around in the same vicinity. When I got closer, I realized that the excavator was directly on top of where I had left my holder.

After getting the operator's attention and asking him to move, I found the holder pressed down into the gravel. To my surprise though, the holder was not squashed but rather in perfect condition except for having gotten rather dirty. Not only did the holder survive, but it protected the calculator and cell phone that I had been keeping inside of it.

That day taught me two things. First, never lay anything small on the ground when excavators are in the area; and second, that BEN MEADOWS carries quality products that can help make the difference between what could have been a very bad day to just a funny story.

Thanks.

Sincerely,
Timothy

We liked Timothy's story so much we sent him a Ben Meadows cap for taking the time to write.

If you have a story of your own, why not share it with us? You might help one of your peers find just the right product solution to a problem. And maybe you'll get a cap of your own!

Send your emails to: s.lierk@benmeadows.com

By the way. . . if you're looking for a REDI-RITE Holder of your own just click here.