Inground Project zone 4-5

Use cheap plywood cause it’s affordable yes. The foam insulation is tightly fitted on the walls so next season I’m able to take it all apart. The wood will be preserved when I tarp everything. I haven’t done it yet but before it rains I will tarp everything.  

This idea is also a great idea if your tree is potted and you have no storage. Build a insulated box and have the coiled heat running. The heat will reflect off the insulated walls and keep everything at temperature. I’ll be doing this for my cousin because he has absolutely no heated storage.

Im confident you’ll love this idea

I use this thermostat controller from Amazon 
ans the heated pipe coil is available on Amazon aswell. 

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CNT52YLD...CSJ3XDF8PQP1932N1&starsLeft=1&skipTwisterOG=1
 
Vitto visible controls throughout the winter 2 in of gravel and 1-in cement for rodent vole mole and whoever would like to get in your warm coffin during the winter. Everything you've done is a genius idea. Including having portable coffins for those with no storage space. As so many of our members are overwhelmed looking for insulated space. Plus with portable coffins no winter Shuffle, and no spring Shuffle. Just warm, and safe from freezing all winter long
 
My trees did well for anything covered at-20F Last winter, all exposed wood died. But on the other hand my trees this year saw a random night of +24F last week and a couple have been killed to the ground. The level of dormancy being the biggest factor as opposed to the temperature itself.
 
If you need it to be warmer:

I recently researched attic insulation- air sealing was one of the biggest recommendations for keeping out cold air. You could spray foam the interior joints then use some kind of insulation strip for the lid. You could also use seam tape where the board foam joint is. It may not make much of a difference, but I might consider having the radiant barrier face inward since that's designed to keep heat from penetrating into an interior space. Having the foil face inward would better reflect any electrical heat. Finally, you could wrap the whole thing with a black tarp.

just my 2 pesos
 
Figology said:
If you need it to be warmer:

I recently researched attic insulation- air sealing was one of the biggest recommendations for keeping out cold air. You could spray foam the interior joints then use some kind of insulation strip for the lid. You could also use seam tape where the board foam joint is. It may not make much of a difference, but I might consider having the radiant barrier face inward since that's designed to keep heat from penetrating into an interior space. Having the foil face inward would better reflect any electrical heat. Finally, you could wrap the whole thing with a black tarp.

just my 2 pesos
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Yes, it would reflect heat that’s if the heat is radiating light. The coil isn’t radiating light it’s just warming up. The foam is helping bounce back the warmth within the box.
 
DCallahan said:
Have you always wrapped each limb in the foam noodles?
Have you ever put moth balls in the box to fight off the rodents?
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Never had rodent problem till last season.
Thankfully rats/mice didn’t do damage but this year I had to change it up. I used a thin layer of concrete to prevent anything from coming in. My box always worked without foam noodles but because I left my tree 5 ft tall I decided to give extra protection from wind and moisture.
 
Vitooch1 said:
Never had rodent problem till last season.
Thankfully rats/mice didn’t do damage but this year I had to change it up. I used a thin layer of concrete to prevent anything from coming in. My box always worked without foam noodles but because I left my tree 5 ft tall I decided to give extra protection from wind and moisture.
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I love the concrete..... so, "mezzogiorno"
 
Wow! Very impressive. I'm sure it will really pay off next year. What a great thread to document your process and materials.
 
RandyK said:
Wow! Very impressive. I'm sure it will really pay off next year. What a great thread to document your process and materials.
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Hey Randy, the box has been working great so far. Heat turns on 3 degrees celsius to 10degrees Celsius. I used a longer heat coil at 9ft length I had a 3ft wasn’t giving enough heat. The 3 ft kept it warm but was constantly trying to heat but the 9 ft coil does the job.
 

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Vitooch1 said:
Hey Randy, the box has been working great so far. Heat turns on 3 degrees celsius to 10degrees Celsius. I used a longer heat coil at 9ft length I had a 3ft wasn’t giving enough heat. The 3 ft kept it warm but was constantly trying to heat but the 9 ft coil does the job.
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That's cool. I'm totally kicking myself for forgetting to put a thermometer in with mine this year.
 
TorontoJoe said:
That's cool. I'm totally kicking myself for forgetting to put a thermometer in with mine this year.
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Joe it’s the best, knowing it’s nice and cozy in there beats the worry. My uncles don’t even think it’s possible they find it hard to believe that this works. They’re so old school. If we have the technology why no use it.
 
Vitooch1 said:
Joe it’s the best, knowing it’s nice and cozy in there beats the worry. My uncles don’t even think it’s possible they find it hard to believe that this works. They’re so old school. If we have the technology why no use it.
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100%

Last winter I got some dead wood because the insulation got wet. I wonder if there's a wireless moisture detector for humidity? That's worth looking at
 
TorontoJoe said:
100%

Last winter I got some dead wood because the insulation got wet. I wonder if there's a wireless moisture detector for humidity? That's worth looking at
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Looks like they have something you might be interested in Joe. Honestly Joe you need to try my method it’s fun to build and easy. If I had more property I’d have a bunch of them built everywhere in the yard lol! It’s called on Amazon

Govee Bluetooth Hygrometer Thermomete​

 
Vitooch1 said:
Looks like they have something you might be interested in Joe. Honestly Joe you need to try my method it’s fun to build and easy. If I had more property I’d have a bunch of them built everywhere in the yard lol! It’s called on Amazon

Govee Bluetooth Hygrometer Thermomete​

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Where was my head!?!? I was thinking "water" but I already use a Govee like the one you linked as my "Salumeter" in my curing chamber. Makes total sense for the fig box....

...And as you can see, all my copa and soppressata are averaging a nice 13c at 76% humidity :)

Salumeter.jpeg
 
TorontoJoe said:
Where was my head!?!? I was thinking "water" but I already use a Govee like the one you linked as my "Salumeter" in my curing chamber. Makes total sense for the fig box....

...And as you can see, all my copa and soppressata are averaging a nice 13c at 76% humidity :)

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MING!!! You already started to make soppressatas? That temperature for
Salami is way too perfect, your stash might be the best in town.
 
@Vitooch1
What is the wattage per foot of the heat cable you are using?
I have Frost King, 7 watts per foot wrapped around my trees, but I am hesitant to use it.
 

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