The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[speckledhen]

My "Tim Burton" tree is no more. We cut it down. And saw why it has died, or why it was going to end up on the driveway anyhow. There was this and it continued about halfway up the trunk. The space looks odd without it! It's been here ever since we have and way before that. We used the trunk sections to replace rotted wood by the driveway that prevents folks from backing up over the septic tank/field and the twisty parts at the top will make excellent firewood. It's blackjack oak.

And the space without it. Remember the creepy limb that snapped off the top and looked like a giant spider? KINDLING! Plus we have lots of wood and getting more cut from dead standing stuff like the Tim Burton tree, plus someone is supposed to bring two Ranger size truck beds of seasoned wood for just $40 each on Monday to help us stock up further. We had a little split wood left from last season, thankfully.
And working on cleaning up that area bordered by the picket fence and the driveway that's been neglected for years. May mulch the leaves or remove them, not sure yet.

 

[getaclue]

I fully appreciate a good woodpile!

 

[speckledhen]

I tried something today with some old short video clips I found taken years ago. The rooster crowing in the soundtrack at beginning and end really is the rooster featured in the video because I have .wav files of some of my favorite boys crowing, including Zane, Dutch, Isaac and Suede! This is my very much missed late Isaac.

 

[Leahs Mom]

 

[1muttsfan]

Cheryl, your husband and my BF must be blood brothers. And he has dental insurance (I do not).

 

[getaclue]

It could just be something in their DNA.

 

[1muttsfan]

Or their pants

 

[getaclue]

 

[MistyMountain]

Oh yes, firewood season is nearly upon us! If only it would quit getting up to 80 in the daytime. I hate to see a good tree die or have to get cut down. We have cleared SO much here, but most of it has been that nasty Virginia Pine that lives 30ish years and 70ish feet and then snaps in half and takes out everything around it. We are faced with taking down one of my favorite sycamore trees that line the driveway, though. It was healthy, er as healthy as it can be with years of English ivy running up down and around it. I tried to help it some years back by cutting the vines, only to find the vines also run under the bark. Sadly, the tree will probably be cut down this winter. For anyone planning to put in a septic tank or drain field.... do not plant or allow a tree to continue to grow right where you run your lines. Wish they would have thought of that 40 some years ago when they built this house... Surprises every day here...

Nice firewood stack! That is our next chore, if we ever stop fencing. We have plenty left from last year to start the season, but need to get to splitting and stacking more for when winter really hits. We have about 3 years worth sitting here from clearing pasture and burn anywhere from 6 to 9 cords depending on how severe the winter is and heating with wood alone.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Sigh. On cutting down trees....

We have 3 maples that have been here since the 1950's that we're going to have to cut down. One has an arm that leans toward the house and it is just waiting for a chance to fall on the house during a storm.

It just makes me sick to take them out. My parents planted them many years ago and they are just big, beautiful maples. But I know they have to go. Hubby keeps saying for me to schedule it and I keep saying "I will...but I hate to do it..." and then I dont....

Sigh.


HEY
Have any of you done any "landscape mounds" at the front of your properties for privacy? Once those trees go out I'm considering trying one then planting a couple of spruces on or near it.

[I'm on a highway and they just put in sidewalks (!!!!) on this area that used to be way out in the country....the millennials want this to be a "suburb" and have walking paths so they can feel like they're "hip" if they live in this town....]