Page 258 - The Lost Ways

The lower two layers were willow branches at 90 degree angles to each other. The third
layer was of closely packed twigs, and finally, a layer of either digger or western pine
needles were added (Barrett specifies that sugar pine needles were never avoided).

The top layer was earth and was four to five inches in depth. The total roof thickness after

all layers were added was one and a half to two feet.

At Kule Loklo, several layers of tarp to block water and a layer of wire mesh to block
rodents from digging through replaced the brush and pine needles. The earth on the roof
is about three to five inches thick. It hasn’t been entirely successful however.

The roundhouse was originally built in 1992, and the roof was completely rebuilt in 2005,
both times using several layers of tarps to protect the Douglas fir roof poles. Despite this,

some of tarps had to be replaced in the late 1990s, and the roundhouse still leaks in heavy
rains despite the tarps.

It’s important for the posts and all roof poles to be debarked before installing them;
leaving the bark on invites insects and dramatically shortens its useful life.

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