Panama Blog #13 - Panama's living fence lines - Efficient and equals Millions of miles of trees - My experiences and perspective here
In many areas of Panama, If it were not for living fence lines, there would be no trees at all. Economic reasons were probably the key factor coupled with it being impossible to easily change a fence line.
Once you have an established fence line its permanent. Fence post can be moved, a tree not so easy. I have heard stories of usually rich land owners expanding the borders of their properties, effectively stealing others land that the rightful owners probably never titled.
this is the road our driveway comes out on, used to be a major through fare
I Love exploring these old roads This is what's found down this 1
But back to the fences, You see treed lands really have no value to Panamanians so they get cleared for cattle grazing land or to plant crops which have value. The only area's trees get spared are the fence lines which they attach the barbed wire to and that becomes the official property line. There is also by law, a buffer near any running water that is public land and not to be cut of disturbed. A few other shade trees or species of other value are left to grow.
So Officially you can wander down and even camp along any rivers streams or creeks. I could be mistaken but I think 12 meters from the water is not part of the surrounding land.
Let's touch upon these rules in case your considering buying land here. According to my title, The small road shown in the above picture. My border is 6 meters from the center, making the road 12 meters wide. The main paved road along the other border is considered 30 meters wide so 15 meters from the center. I'm not sure why but the border from the motherland has a note of 3 meters from the actual line I can't change. ( maybe due to the town's water tank is on it ) And last, the back fence line is right on the mark.
When putting my chainlink fence along it for the chicken yard I wanted to spare the trees the barbed wire was attached to.
After days of trying to speak to the owner and negotiate this, he wasn't going to give me 1 inch, Not for love or money. But only through others and he never contacted me directly.
So I cut the trees down and only saved the biggest which i attached the fence to
This is only the first 100' there is still 300' to go along the back yard. Most trees have no value, but I like to see the squirrels run back and forth through them.
I'm still a little pissed anyway, as the previous owner allowed him to use a large chunk of my lower lot for his cattle loading pen. So my fence line is several meters inside my boundary along the small road. Even more because of the large tree in the way. which my fence should be on the other side of and to the other side of the loading ramp.
That's life here, Panamanians don't like to sell their land. Or even give up a 100 square feet to save a few trees LOL
I've digressed, So what else can I say? When the rainy season starts and the trees can deal with being cut the farmers will cut them back and take the straight branches and stick them in the dirt along the gappy areas of fence between the trees and they grow making a stronger fence. And if looked after, Many fence lines have trees just 2 or 3 feet between them making it impossbale for cows to break through.
So with a little local knowledge about how fast trees grow, you can guess how long a fence line has existed.
So pretty hard to move a fence line in your favor, or someone to encroach on your land as long as you check the lines from time to time.
Here is a example of a farmer taking just about the whole road for grazing land
can you see what side took the roadway ? :-) It's obvious, and not even enough room to get a 4 wheel drive through.
Might just as well have taken the whole road and not bothered bluffing in a fence. But this is a hotline from our town heading towards Ocu and a way shorter horse ride. ( Many people here only have horses for work and transportation ).
Ok I'm about all blogged out for now, So time to say Adios.
Please feel free to pick my brain with any questions or critiques through " Reply, Hint Hint "
Interesting. I didn't know this is how it worked out in the country. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading :-) there are also laws about building near beaches high tide mark. but many ignore these rules. Could be their undoing depending on future governments. My roadway fence is at 8 meters now, Its only relevant if a road expantion takes place. Like Pese to La Arena. Some houses front porch is right at the road now. oops LOL
Future governments or climate change!
Whatever happened to Global warming? Being Canadian I signed up for a double helping LOL.
What the hell is climate change + 40c in summer and - 40c, in winter 6 months later or less. Canadians know climate change ( now we are paying to fix it LOL
As a student of physical security, the beer cans on the tops of the chain link fencing is a curiosity to me. What is their purpose?
Quite simple actually, I looked for days to find proper fencing equipment.
Found at the best biggest store for fencing and metals near me, I found the very fence gear I wanted on a display of fencing...I Used to install fence as a kid. " That's what I want the fence attchments and the fence post caps ". Sorry sir thats just a display and we don't carry that! ( Fick me ) They do carry the fence post caps that you can attach razor wire to, but ya Welcome to Panama.
The beer cans are just to keep the water out for now, they actually fit like a glove and fun to make :-) All I have to do is drink a beer and remove the top :-) I can do that all day long....And usually do LOL
Cheers
I thought it might be to keep water out but I was not sure. Since I recommend chain link to people, I need to learn more about it. Thanks!
I'll do a detailed post on fencing soon :-) Somewhere in Panama probably has the proper hardware. I found my Tub and shower fixtures at the Discovery Center in Tumba Muerto. Great store for American everything.