Filed under: September 2020 | Tags: firewood, harvest, small farm life, Sugarwood
September 10, 2020
Many people think that working in the tree tops requires a person to be up in the air, at the top of a tree. I am working in the tree tops that are laying on the ground from my recent tree harvest. I am salvaging firewood to be used to boil maple sap, to make maple syrup.
I am cutting everything three inches or larger, that didn’t make lumber logs and hauling them out to be cut to length and split. The brush and smaller limbs are being left for homes for small woodland creatures and to rot to enrich the forest floor.
Our harvest consisted of about 60 mature trees. The trees were removed to allow the growth of many smaller trees, predominantly maple, both hard and soft varieties. The trees removed, also allow for mature maples to have more open canopy for crown growth. It also lets in light and air to the forest floor. I can direct some water puddles towards the nearby stream, allowing the water to runoff through the existing leaf litter. This drys the forest, but assures that water quality is improved by the filtering effects of the leaf litter.
Bree is learning lessons as we work towards her weaning. She is not always happy with me. Here she learns patience. I tied her to a fence post far from mom. She did not like it, but soon realized that she would have to wait on me. This was a short lesson of about 35 minutes. It was good for her. She can be strong willed, but yields fairly quickly. Her training continues.
The garden harvest continues. Our animal corn harvest is starting, as I build shocks. Hand picking will begin soon. I picked a few random ears last night. I am happy with what I see so far.
A busy time is coming, but we look forward to the dash to winter!
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RicelandMeadows 
I’m fascinated by your farm management plan. It seems to be a very “symbiotic” use of your neighborhood. My plan is somewhat skewed in favor of the local fauna. Namely: deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and various birds.(Been considering a flock of chickens so that Foxes and Coyotes and Fishers don’t feel slighted.) Have you ever done the monthly journal thing for “Farm and Ranch Living” magazine? You should.
Comment by Rick Ward September 10, 2020 @ 11:10 am