Tools I can use...

Hubby is such a nice guy. He thought that I should learn to use a saw as in chain saw. I told him that I'd cut my leg off easily and that I couldn't stand the noise.

Besides, big trees should be left to people with skill and knowledge. We agreed at least on that. So I saw this thing and asked him what he thought about it.

It is a mini saw that is battery operated.

It was a version of this:

After my hand sawing debacle he thought if I had a better tool, I wouldn't be tugging on branches to break them. I could saw through them.

So I got this---->

After a lot of instruction on how to safely use this tool..... 

I got my first assignment from the Boss. Clear out lower branches where he mows so he didn't have to duck or get slapped in the face with leaves.

Years ago when he downed trees, he'd have me hook up the logging chain so he could use the tractor to pull the logs and heavy stuff to another area for cutting up. I decided to use a rope and attach it to the the 4 wheeler. Then I dragged the whole works to a brush pile I can burn this winter [if we ever get moisture again!].

In the summer pasture the snow had damaged several box elders so that their branches hung so low that the mules couldn't get under them to eat the grass. I decided to see how the little saw really worked on a hard job.

The yellow area is where all the branches were hanging to the ground covering up the grass.

I was really amazed at how fast and easy this job was. Much better than a hand saw. I won't be doing big jobs, but for cleaning big branches off the fence, it will be incredible.

I have a lot to pick up and drag.

The next job is to make sure the forest fence is up to snuff. I was going to avoid it this year but without rain, our pastures are looking sickly and perhaps the gals will enjoy foraging on the steep hillside. 

I've tried feeding them hay and they leave it be, so they are getting enough out there in the woods.

Hubby then came up with another fine idea. He thought I'd like a nice battery trimmer that has blades that will whack up those pesky weeds in the other sections of forest and meadows. The ones I've always had to take the scythe or machete to in past years.

Swinging a scythe or running a 3.5 lb electric trimmer? I think I'll go for the trimmer and see what happens.

If nothing else, it will give me great satisfaction to cut down noxious weeds easily.

Look out you nettles and thistles! Watch out curly dock! I'm coming for you!

The Woods and New Tool

For me
the door to the woods
is the door to the temple. ~Mary Oliver, Upstream

Now that the big gun deer season is over I can pretty much wander again freely. I had no idea how cooped up I was feeling until I was able to get out again.

This morning the ice was collecting on the grass next to the creek and there was a fairly heavy frost on the plants above it.

One just has to have a love/hate relationship with Multiflora Rose. The red rose 'hips' are quite beautiful as are the leaves with frost.

The thorns however are nasty!

By yesterday afternoon the temperatures rose up into the 40's.

I burned my small buckthorn piles.

This area was choked with dead buckthorn trees that I simply tipped over and stacked them. The area was so dense with dead branches that it was almost impossible to walk through. 

Normally I don't do intensive labor in the pasture, but this area is pretty unique.

It is a rock formation. Below is the view from the top of the rock outcrop. So far I have cleaned the area of all the nasty weeds and deadfalls. The dead tree that my coat is hanging on will get chopped up when someone with a chainsaw comes along. Perhaps I can just push it down eventually too.

My burn piles are very small and very controlled. I don't burn with any winds and this week we had 3 days of calm.

This isn't far from the house, yet it feels isolated. I can sit here on a log and read if I want. I can sit and just listen and watch the woods too. 

In the black dirt I'm hoping to plant shade grass and see if I can't get some ferns to grow too.

I have a lot of fun and imagined plans for this spot. 

[Wouldn't a little movable shelter be nice there??? Bird watching? How about putting out a feeder and sitting there photographing them? Sitting and reading?...ahhh so many possibilities.]

Look at it this way. It is keeping me off the streets!

For the old larger Buckthorn trees, I gird them with my machete. I peel the bark from around the limbs and trunk. They should die and stop spreading. Well, that is my hope. Once the roots die back I'll be able to tip them over and chop them up.

I ordered a new tool to help me with cutting down the smaller trees.

I don't use a chain saw for obvious reasons...I'd cut my legs off. I generally use a handsaw and it gives me great satisfaction to saw a 5" tree down. But it is tiring. Thank goodness the Buckthorn never get to be as big as oak trees!

New Tool. 

This will mostly be used on 3 to 6" Buckthorn Trees. I will saw them down and dab the stump with a Herbicide or cover it in a plastic bag to kill off the roots. I could use soup cans too to smother them. 

This tool was husband approved. We had a lengthy discussion about my cutting abilities and dis-abilities. 

Watch out multiflora rose and buckthorn! I am on a mission!