~ Retired and Starting My Future In The Foothills ~

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Hmmmmm. I've never grown spinach or lettuce... Peas, yeah... and I love peas!

I forgot to mention another project coming to fruition: the diseased, 100 foot tall Ponderosa Pine is going to be felled on Saturday. This particular tree has buckled the garage foundation and it happens to be THE tree that is blocking the DirecTV HD satellite trio. So, once the tree is down, I will be calling DirecTV back for a new installation date.

Plus, I just found out there IS a possible source of DSL - or at least "high speed Internet access" so I may not have to go with satellite service. The other possibility is to use my iPhone 3G as a "tether" to the Internet, a kind of "hot-spot" right there at my house. I'm gonna investigate both options.

 

[HHandbasket]

I am SO excited that it's all finally coming together!

 

[gryeyes]

Thursday afternoon, D Fence Man dropped off the lodge poles for my fence posts. Woo hooo! Friday, his crew started setting posts around the property where the Ponderosa Pine WASN'T going to fall on Saturday, when the tree crew took it down.

The diseased Ponderosa Pine came down Saturday. That was very interesting to watch! One guy went up the tree, with a small chain saw attached to his belt. He manipulated two ropes, tying off branches, lopping them and then letting them down to the ground. He worked higher and higher in the tree, spending HOURS up there. He did not come down until after the trunk itself had been cut down to just under 30 feet tall.

Those are some special kind of people, working up in trees like that.

He cut off all the branches first. Then he topped the naked trunk; it took four sections and when each hit the ground there was a resounding WHAM! He came down the tree at last to work cut at the base of the remaining section.

And then it toppled, with another worker controlling it with a rope.

My contractor dropped by during the process and gave me a set of earplugs to wear when the wood chipper started. They WERE necessary.

In addition to being diseased, over the years that Ponderosa Pine did THIS to the foundation of the garage.

(The contractor will be filling that crack with concrete mortar.)

All in all, Saturday was very interesting. It was really nifty to watch that whole process.

 

[tazcat70]

Sounds like a great days work! That pine tree was HUGE!

 

[NYRIR]

Things seem to be coming along! How exciting....what a HUGE tree! Did it cost a fortune to have it taken down? We have one I would love to have taken down but the price around here is close to 500 dollars! I'd rather spend that on a new coop

 

[Kansaseq]

Cool mini-documentary on taking down a large tree. You are very good at describing things and events and including relevant pictures. I see a second career for you, when you retire.
I think you should write a book about your adventures living in the foothills with your chickens, and include your photography

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Yes, a fortune. Think three coops. That tree was just over one hundred feet tall.

There's another on the property leaning over the HOUSE. I don't want to lose the shade, but if it drops a large enough branch or decides to fall, it will demolish the roof. However, it isn't diseased, so I have some time to think about it. My discretionary House Funds are being depleted and, except for the budgeted propane, fencing and well work, that's it for spending money until I am out of the house I rent and am no longer paying rent. (My rent is the cost of felling that tree, or 3 coops for NYRIR.)

 

[Carols Clucks]

We had a big star pine taken down and ground out............that was about 6+ coops worth of $5 Christmas tree some one planted 40 years ago.

 

[Gardengirl 2011]

Gryeys, I have enjoyed reading about this new start so much. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with the rest of us. What progress!!

So.....where's the picture of your contractor?

He sounds like a great guy all around and seems to really be looking out for you. AND he's getting you "coop ready" with elec. AND water! That coop is looking great. WoooHooooo!!!

That was one HUGE pine! I dated a guy a LONG time ago who worked for a tree company. And you're right....it does take a special kind of person to climb. No way would I want that job.

Keep on keeping us updated. I think we're ALL enjoying this process.

Also, please post the link to the sign maker you used. I have something in mind for my own place and their work seems right up my alley.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Me too Me too ~

I want to see pics of your handy man too. Is he single? How old is he?