Crumbly Acres Clean up on Aisle 7

 It was an adventure. My goal for the project was to clean up the front garden, and clear my walking paths. Mostly it was the old white Pines that lost their tops. They were wicked winds. This was the July 1st and 2nd windstorms.

I met Jamie out front at 8 a.m., bug spray in my pocket, he was managing two projects this morning. I suggested they park the trucks on the 'lawn' which is shallow, and mostly weeds. Whoops. I forgot about the daffodils I planted there. Hmmm. Spring will tell the tale.

I showed them around, following the list I'd laid out with Steve, the company owner. He is a good boss, they tell me. I've met him several times, as this is the third job they have done for us. A whacko list, with 16 acres, and damage scattered. I didn't even look at lot #3! 

They are safe, they have safety gear, gloves, boots, pants, and helmets with communication built into them. After they finished an area, they used a heavy duty leaf blower to clean up the path and driveway.

I am always amazed that they can back these machine up our driveway, towing the equipment. I can't even back up the lawn tractor with the trailer.

Task #1 

The catalpa tree died one year, now sends up two suckers side branches. It clutters the garden, and the Maple overshadows it. 

One year, we had the Barred Owl land on it! Jan., 2023. I guess that's why I was reluctant to take it down. 

Before:

After, 

I have to dig out the Wild Grape plants, and this wee sapling that needs to go. 

It opens up the space.

Task #2 

The poor white pine trees were brought up with the tractor. These are from beside the path to the frog pond. The tree was wiped out. This was its topper. We decided to leave the stump, Christine and I. It is habitat for all sorts of things. She knows her trees.

 

I asked them to cut it up and split it. I totally misled them. We have a wood stove insert, and it only takes 16" logs. I said 24", and that was really dumb. A lot of people have outside wood stove that take larger logs. I measured the stove, just to check and corrected my mistake with Christine, the project lead. 

The noise of the chain saw didn't bother Cinnamon. Nutmeg huddled under our bed. She wasn't having any of it. Cinnamon spends most of his day on the back deck. He was perturbed at being kept indoors.

# 9 Barry's Path

I cancelled item #6 at The Point, which we call the peninsula. I thought this path had better be partially cleared now before I fall over the trees. I will have the crew back after Barry harvests what he can. 

Here I am trying to navigate the path. This I was leaving for Barry, but he wasn't whittling away at it fast enough. 😝

What a mess!

The crew felled the one that was hanging over the path. Barry will deal with it. 

We have more wood for winter. They cleared all the wood chips off of the 'lawn' with the leaf blower.  Lawn, AKA Twitch Grass and weedy things. 

We were really pleased with the work. Such a relief. They are good workers. 

The saga of the wood

I've stacked some new wood. This is what I have stacked so far. I moved most of the smaller stuff.

This was a bit much. It needed to be split. My newest wood pile was waiting to be stacked. A friend offered to help, but Joe was worried the two of us couldn't handle it. The logs were big.

The Aussie came and split it for me on Thursday, Nov. 14th. They'd moved it to the shed Nov. 13. 

I'm whittling away at it... 😏 This I stacked while he was splitting it.

This was Thursday afternoon.

A beautiful day to be outdoors. 

I went back at it Friday morning, but took breaks, and photos. But first I found the heavy metal wheelbarrow wobbly. 

Note To Self: check your equipment. The tire was flat. Hah!

Joe was out walking, and brought me some water. He cannot lift the wood. I'm happier if he doesn't. He has terrible back issues. He certainly helped my dad stack wood back in the day in Muskoka.

The dead elms were hosts to termites. This is amazing. 

We had termites in Muskoka. They are creepy little things, and strong!

After some time I realized I should brought me a chair from the house.  Then I really looked around... DUH! It is both decorative and useful.

I kept at it. Progress Friday afternoon! We decided to go out to Merrickville for lunch. It was Joe's birthday. (More on that later!) I needed the break. 

 

The moon rose over the wood pile. I couldn't manage a decent photo. I couldn't remember the settings, nor find them. You get the picture, though. We bloggers are nothing if not imaginative!

Another look at bug patterns. Very interesting. (Joe said to take breaks!)

Saturday I kept at it, and we are done!