So, my big old sour cherry tree has gone to join the choirs invisible. It's about 25 years old and was a stellar producer in its time; the past couple years it's been in steady decline. Last summer, I had to admit: more than 75 percent of the tree was dead. I targeted this winter for its removal. So, I've been taking down big branches whenever the spirit moves me.
Wednesday was a nice weather day and I decided I'd just go ahead and saw thru one of the two main stems. This is a big stem, about 12 inches in diameter. I'm happily sawing away (with a hand/pruning saw; I don't own a chainsaw). The birds are singing. The cats are sitting around on fence posts watching. I get about halfway thru the big stem (in easy sessions...saw saw saw...pant pant pant...sit sit sit...saw saw saw....etc.). I figure well, that's about it for me today...my arms feel like Jello. That big thing isn't going anywh....... Wait. What's that odd sort of clicking, creaking noise? Is that a woodpecker? I'm standing there like an idiot scanning the surrounding trees when suddenly, just behind me the noise gets louder.... CrreeeeeeeKKK KK K K ! BANG!
The whole half a tree broke off and fell over!
The birds took flight. The cats vanished. I am standing there with my jaw hanging open.
It fell smack dab right onto the heavy wire arch that leads into that part of the garden. Wham. Squash. Flatter than hammered...well... we won't go into the language I used.
***
So much for that hot shower and cup of tea. I started frantically lopping and sawing away at the damn thing, hoping against hope the wire arch would please please please spring back into shape. It din't.
Now, there are spouses who are understanding and supportive in times like these. Spouse who would rush out and offer assistance. I don't happen to have one of those. My immediate reaction: Don't tell R. He hates being outside in the mud; he rarely comes down this way. Chances are he won't notice.
So far, he hasn't. I got the tree off the arch, managed to at least lift it up enough I can walk under it and recruited my friend E. to help me get it bent back into shape (hopefully). She looked it over yesterday and said it would be better if I took it completely off the fence posts and brought it over to her house. I agreed. So that will be the orders for the day.
***
E also helped me drag the big half-a-cherry-tree into the woods and over to the stumpery. It will look good there, all covered with lichen as it is. The brush went up to my extensive brush fence at the top of the property...that thing is amazing. After the heavy snow, it has compacted down by a good 2-3 feet (it's mostly loose brush/branches), so adding to it doesn't make it any higher. I noticed a lot of deer tracks all around up there; they bed down on the lee side of it. Because it follows the contours of the hill, it runs more or less north to south in a gentle arc. I think I'll shoot off another line east west to provide even more wind cover for wildlife.
***
My Jung seed order arrived; always a moment of intense joy to get that little box of seeds. I am trying to marshall every way I know to control weeds in the veg. As I said, the last 2 years I badly neglected things down there. This year, I'm going to try to get my act together and get back to using newspaper and grass clippings to mulch EVERYTHING. Having permanent paths is a blessing too, because I can (carefully) spray them with Roundup if things get too bad.
Discussions:
| Thread Title | Last Reply | Replies |
|---|---|---|
| You are a crazy lady! by PAgirl63 | Feb 8, 2016 7:38 AM | 1 |
| Lumberjack Lessons Lol by glengarry23 | Feb 7, 2016 1:38 PM | 1 |
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