Wacky winter

Weather pattern in January:  Really cold, thaw with more than an inch of rain, really cold, sunny and above freezing, snow squalls, then lots of sun.  Some snow expected this p.m. after a sunny start.  Then a bigger storm with several inches Tuesday into Wednesday expected. 

The winter forest remains grand every day, whatever the temps.  You'll just have to rely on older pics for that, since today is too windy and cold for a walk!

Wood bag

One humble wood bag does so much for Hardwood Hermitage.  With subzero temps expected starting tomorrow night, we'll bring in and burn three bags of wood a day.  We're at a spot where nearly all pieces will be paper birch for several days.  That's some great burning!  Stay warm!

Sun and snow

Four inches of snow fell overnight.  On a walk in brilliant sunshine yesterday afternoon, this picture was taken.  The spot is a favorite on the property, with many young oaks enjoying the sunshine.  The hills of Vermont are visible in the distance.  The flat ground in the right center of the picture is in NH.

Happy New Year!

Goodbye, 2018! Here are a few images from today's forest.  Happy New Year!

Different kind of White Christmas

With so much snow gone, the best way to get a White Christmas this year is to stare at mature paper birch groves.

Thaw to start winter

We won't lose all our snow, but low temp was in the upper 40s overnight.  Lots of rain, as well, so a bunch of the white stuff has withered away.  Here's a before/after taken 24 hours apart looking at the same area just west of the house.  Freezing temps return this afternoon, so we need to remember winter just started!

Yellow birch spring pole down

The bowsaw went to work this a.m. to take down two spring poles, a small sugar maple and a slightly larger yellow birch.  The bark and wood are always so pretty, even if the tree decides to make a big bend.  The pieces cut with the saw will eventually become firewood or perhaps a big walking stick.

 

Here's a pic of the tree's bend, where two big branches grew straight up prior to dropping the whole thing.

The curved tree could've learned some lessons on the right way to grow from other birches in the vicinity.