Paper birch sure looks great. Sometimes the state tree grows in places that guarantee a short life, like on the hill south of the house. Several of them also were growing diagonally toward the house, another reason to do some thinning. We'll get about a cord of wood out of the thinning, which will help several small oaks find more sun. The first two pics are a before/after. As the third pic shows, we've been processing a good deal of the excellent firewood.
As winter approached its end, we received a wicked batch of wind, with several conifer casualties, an unsurprising result for the weak, shallow-rooted trees like white pine and balsam fir.
On the first day of spring, we received 2 new inches of snow. We might get four or more tonight through early Monday. Snow makes the forest really look pretty, but we've had more than seven feet this season. Time for a prolonged thaw!
Wow! We had a storm that brought 16 inches of snow. That's the most for one storm in the history of Hardwood Hermitage! The challenge would have been great even with the tractor, but the very cold temps gummed up our diesel fuel. We cleared the driveway with the small red walk-behind blower, a piece of equipment that has really earned its keep over the years! A neighbor helped bring the tractor back to life.
Here are some pics after the big blast of snow. But first, remember: when life hands you lemons, make pineapple upside down cake:
