The temperature has risen from -29C (-20F) yesterday morning, to -5C (23F) this morning. The forecast calls for more cold temperatures over the coming weekend, actually colder than those we've just experienced. I sure wish we could have a good fall of snow to insulate everything. This crazy temperature fluctuation is hard on everything, especially since there is such a scant covering of snow. (the present header picture was taken mid January 2019)
It being so much milder today, we headed out and got back at tree harvesting.
We are working away at felling beech trees, cutting them for firewood before the Beech Bark fungus totally takes the good out of the trees. We are trying to haul in enough wood to replace what we'll be burning this winter.
The rounds will be split in the spring, hopefully before the biting insects come out, and will be piled to cure in the empty space in the woodshed.
All that bending and lifting is good exercise, and doing just one tree a day ensures that we don't overdo it.
I was just reading about that disease hitting the trees at Shaw Woods in the Leader. We are bit supporter and visitors at/of SW and always loved those big beech. Very sad news. We just had another load of firewood delivered last week.
ReplyDeleteThe Shaw Woods are beautiful, such gorgeous, big hardwoods, (and pines as well), but it is unusual to see such a large group of big hardwoods together anymore. We've been a couple of times, and actually saw our first Beech Bark Disease on one of the beeches there that had been taped off for folks to ID the disease. We have some big beeches on our property, none as big as SW, but pretty amazing just the same. I am so sad to see them succumb, dropping limb by limb, their lovely grey sides flaking off, and fungi growing all over them. Is your load of wood mostly beech this time? One has to cut the tree early on in the progression of the disease, as the wood soon turns sort of punky, and does not burn well at all.
DeleteThe best kind of exercise, especially being out in the fresh air! No need for you two to buy a membership and go to a gym to stay healthy. Plus, it's even more of a win because of the firewood you're putting up.
ReplyDeleteThis place is our 'gym', Mama Pea! We have to keep moving...don't want to rust out!
DeleteLol! “ don’t want to rust out”… nearly spit my coffee out! I will definitely be using that expression! It is very sad about the beech trees. Are you able to harvest any Chaga mushroom off the dying trees? We are sending warmth from our vacation in Florida. Take care and please watch your backs! Heavy lifting in cold can sometimes be trouble! Blessings to you both!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying your southern sojourn, wyomingheart! Up here, Chaga grows on white and yellow birch, and we have harvested off of them. -29C(-20F) this AM. Please don't send warmth!! Lovin' it!
DeleteNice photos. I still can't use my wood stove until I get it all up and safely running. I'm hoping to do that this summer! I have so much deadfall on my property! The nights here are very chilly!
ReplyDelete