I took advantage of Saturday's gorgeous weather to install the stake for my 3" pole.
We Pennsylvanians don't call it "Rock-sylvania" for nothing. I pulled this 80# monster out of the hole, along with a few other loaf-of-bread size rocks as well.
Monster_1.jpg (46.96 KiB) Viewed 1483 times
Kid_in_the_Hole_1.jpg (51.03 KiB) Viewed 1483 times
The finished product was a 36" hole w/ 350# of concrete. I'm going to let it cure for a week before raising the pole because it's been cold and rainy.
The stake is incredibly solid, but will it really support the weight and leverage of a T-14 and four gourds? That thing is heavy!
Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius. Have had visitor every year 2014-24. Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location. 2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
I have a very similar set up. And likewise, i was worried that the post would lean. I dug down along side the concrete after it was set and put a large flat rock( by large, i mean i needed a pry bar to move it) next to it so the post would have to push the concrete which would have to push the flat rock thru all the earth behind it. It may have been overkill, but i did this on all four sides, and has not moved in three years. Good luck
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
It should be fine barring a tornado or similar with the eye of the storm directly on your property which LORD FORBID HAPPENS! Even then the pole and concrete may well survive.
TimG
