Seems odd to be talking about cutting down trees a few days after blogging about planting a mini wood but cutting down trees is what we were doing on Saturday.
When Mr and Mrs F bought the additional bit of land in the 1980s they planted Poplars down one side and Willow and Ash down the other.
The Ash were specially planted to provide firewood as they can be coppiced and will regrow from the base(and burn green too of course) although most of them hadn't been cut at all. Several of the willows had branches sticking out into the field and they can break easily so needed tidying. Colin wanted to make sure I would be OK for firewood next winter just in case, so organised an old friend from his council days to come with Big chainsaw and Giant wood chipper and he took down 6 small Ash trees and several willow branches. Luckily my sister and brother-in-law had said they would help so we were able to tackle the clearing and sorting of logs and brushwood while L did the cutting down.
I'd intended to take a photo but of course we were too busy to remember!
After 5 hours work we were left with heaps of willow and Ash,wood chips and a big heap of twiggy bits for kindling.
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| Lunchtime Sunday after a lot had already been shifted and split |
Then on Sunday Cols brother came with the log splitter, which looks a Heath Robinson affair but is very effective, and I forgot photos again until after lunchtime.
By lunch time Sunday we had a good heap stored and even more by the time we finished at half past two.
There are still several piles of smaller logs on the field which only need cutting - not splitting, and we hope to get them done early in the week. We are just glad that the doctor put Colin back on steroids again which has given him a bit more energy!
It was very satisfying to be able to get outside and do some "proper" work.
Thank you to lots of new visitors commenting, sorry I didn't get round to replying.......slightly busy!
Back in a jiffy
Sue
How wonderfully satisfying to get all that done! Lovely family and friends to help makes all the difference. Glad to hear that Col has more energy and is able to be outside working and getting things sorted. Having one less thing worrying him will help I think and having a feeling of accomplishing a big task is uplifting.
ReplyDeleteSo lucky to have moved closer to family and they are willing to help, it really was a big job.
DeleteYour entries cheer me up no end - how lovely to be harvesting from your new home already.
ReplyDeleteJ x
Lovely to hear that you enjoy reading. Thank you
DeleteGood to be out doing. Specially for Col.x
ReplyDeleteIt felt good to be working hard out in the fresh air.....like the old days
DeleteWell done - nothing as heartening as getting next year's wood cut and under cover. I'm glad that Col had some energy too, though I hope it isn't at the expense of sleep as steroids keep me awake at night.
ReplyDeleteColin says the trick with steroids is to take them early. He has his with a cup of tea between 5 and 5.30 in the morning and finds that the boost of the steroids has worn of by tea time and he can sleep well or as well as all the other problems allow.
DeleteLovely to read about all you are doing and enjoying in your new cottage. Reminds me of when we moved on to our small holding. So many things to delight the heart. So happy for you.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to have things to do again
DeleteIt is good to see Col still in 'provider' mode, so to speak. That pile of wood is very satisfying.
ReplyDeleteShould keep us warm for a long time
DeleteOh what lovely treasure! A load of logs has surely got to beat diamonds any day. x
ReplyDeleteMuch more useful that's for sure
Deletefirewood is what we have been doing, we are racing now to finish cutting the trees from the hedgerow.
ReplyDeleteWe were nearly too late, the sap was starting to rise on the willow but we can leave them for a couple of years to dry out
DeleteHow nice to get firewood from you own place. We need to buy more this year. Ash burns for a nice long time. It's an excellent firewood. Here in the States most of our ash trees were killed by the Emerald Ash Borer, so we have plenty of firewood, but it sure is a shame to see what it has done to the forests.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Jane
UK has a disease called Ash Dieback which has got here from Eastern Europe a few years back. It has killed 1000s of Ash trees but mainly small ones. We planted 125 at the smallholding the year before the virus arrived and it killed most of them
DeleteHow fab...a family and friends logging party-x-
ReplyDeleteHard work over 2 days but very successful
DeleteI've never cut wood just stacked and that was tiring! Hard work keeps you young, I think.
ReplyDeleteLoved the previous post with the Gorgeous Granddaughter. She is adorable, but you knew that!
Stacking is back breaking so we just barrow it in and chuck on a heap then propped up the heap with pallets to get more on
DeleteWhat a wonderful wood pile you have. Thank heavens for family and loads of help. I am glad that Col had a bit more energy today.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It should last a fair while - cold weather on the way again the weather men said
DeleteIt is jolly hard work doing all that lot, but so satisfying. Great that you had a good team working on it.
ReplyDeleteWe've got to fell a couple of trees soon. Luckily, we've just been given a load of saplings so it will be nice to refresh the little woodland - no doubt the hens will assist and the cats will supervise.
We are looking forward to choosing what to plant in the Autumn
DeleteI don't know how affected by the storms you have been, but I'd say job well done! Trees need to be coppiced and taken care of {I wish my neighbours would grasp this!} and it will bring you peace of mind to have the job done and a store of wood ready to use. Lucky for you to have so many well connected friends and family!
ReplyDeleteWonderful winter preparation!!!!
ReplyDeleteAlso wonderful, to know how to care for the trees, to provide you with firewood.
Gentle Spring hugs,
Luna Crone
Working together outside again must have been very rewarding. Lovely that you have family so close to lend a hand too! And plenty of cake to them fuelled
ReplyDeleteLisa x
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ReplyDeleteSo good to see all that wonderful wood piled up again.....could almost be a mini Fairacre......
ReplyDelete