Work in full swing

A former spring pole got closer to becoming firewood this a.m. after cutting.  When stood up to prepare for splitting, the tops of the white ash wood became very shiny in the wonderful sunshine.  A great aspect of the work today was the rescue of an oak that was presumed crushed by the falling spring pole, which was taken down over the winter.  The young tree can be seen near the middle of the picture.  The spring pole had the tree nearly horizontal.  Never give up on an oak!!!

Gathering birch bark will replace what was used last burning season.  The very sharp knife, pointing into an old log near the middle of the picture, helps remove the flammable bark.