Saturday, January 11, 2020

Necessary Destruction, Part 2


Over a year ago, I shared why we decided to timber the land we own in a neighboring county.  It was a difficult decision because it was beautiful; however, feeling as if we should be good stewards of the land, we knew it needed to be selectively cut.  The large trees were harvested to make room so the saplings could thrive.  It was tough facing the devastation on our first trip to visit after the work began, it was just as hard to see the damage this second time.


This is the access area close to the highway and it was originally thick with large trees.  The logging company provided the gravel and built roads through the property.  We asked them to lay logs across the entrance to deter trespassers.


Further down is the staging area where the large equipment was once parked.  They will be returning when the ground is dry so they can finish.



On this day, we decided to travel the logging road down the hill to the holler on the back of the property.



On the hillsides were piles of cut trees waiting to be removed.


At the bottom of the hill was a creek that had to be crossed.  It was a case study of our different personality types.


Joshua, my firstborn, faced it like he does every obstacle in life, something to be conquered. He has never met a problem he can't outmaneuver.  He is my bulldozer, a strategist and a natural-born leader, but also a gentle giant.  When he was small, he was never allowed on his bike without a helmet.  If there was a pothole or bump in the road, he swerved over so he could jump it.  However, he is the person you want to follow if you are going through a jungle or minefield.  He sees the creek and without hesitation, flies over.


After landing on the other side, he triumphantly turns around to see if his tribe is following.


Slow, old, stumbling Mom is dragging along behind.  Joshua pauses, observes the situation, strategizes a solution, puts down big heavy rocks to serve as stepping stones along the creek bed, and then gently guides me over.


Dustin, my second born, follows behind me watching to make sure I don't get lost.  He is my cautious, careful engineer.  He visually inspects the creek, architects a bridge, searches available recyclable resources, carefully tests the structural integrity, analyzes the statistical probability of sustainable weight limits, then proceeds over the rotten logs.  He was never, ever required to wear a bicycle helmet or any protective gear when he was young - he never needed it.


Joshua, big brother, leader of the pack, reaches back to steady Dustin since he did not budget for handrails.  


Last comes Scooter.  He thinks it is ridiculous to be afraid of a little bit of water and trots on through.


 Then we face the steep hill on the other side.


The backside of the land has not lost many trees - most were too small.  It still looks like it did originally.


We reached the back boundary line of the property which is marked with orange plastic tape.


This is the legal boundary marker:  HY RW  which stands for "Highway Right-of-Way."
 

We returned by the logging road that runs along the top of the ridge going back toward the staging area.  



By this time it was late afternoon: we were exhausted and in need of a rest.


Of course, Scooter had to lay down close to something rotten, smelly and nasty (probably animal poop).  Rather than move, he decided to roll in it.  That didn't make me happy since he had to ride in my lap back home.


When the loggers are completely finished and the leaves have returned to the trees, we plan to go back to see how the land is recovering.  Hopefully, it will revive quickly due to the increased sunlight.

Link to the First Trip
Necessary Destruction

10 comments:

  1. It will be interesting to see if you have more spring ephemeral wildflowers this spring with all the extra sunlight on the forest floor. Sounds like your boys (and Scooter) and you make a great team--everyone has a useful role. :)

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    1. Wildflowers! I haven't even thought about the difference the extra sunshine will make for the wildflowers. As soon as spring arrives, I will plan another trip back to see what is blooming. The flowers on that tract of land are different from those on the property here at the house. I suppose because the soil is different.

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  2. I was here last night and did not know what to say...I can imagine how you felt coming back and seeing.

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    1. My feelings were bittersweet. A large portion of the money we received from the logging went to pay for our huge medical bills. I am doing a tremendous amount better, Bill is somewhat better but any improvement when you miserable is good. The trees will grow back and we (Bill and I) are blessed to have been able to afford treatments.

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  3. If you do not mind, I wonder what these logs are used for. Is it for house construction or is it also sold for firewood? Is it hard wood or fast growing wood? I guess you will also burn some of it in your oven. Anyway, the best news are that these medical bills are paid.
    Christel

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    1. We asked the timber-man when we signed the contract those questions. He said Nashville is experiencing a housing growth (due to people moving out of the high tax Democrat states of California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey and others. They are moving to low tax states like Texas, Tennessee and Colorado. Even President Trump moved his home from New York to Florida because the taxes were much lower.)

      The trees will be used mainly for building new houses in Nashville the timber-man said. The oak and maple trees will be used for wood floors and furniture. The unused branches were cut for firewood and some of the smaller ones must have been shredded for mulch because I didn't see any burn piles when we were walking.

      We did not take any firewood because Bill can no longer do the splitting, hauling, bending, throwing the wood into the stove or walking down to the basement. We discussed getting a wood splitter but they cost $1,000. We have a good supply of wood stacked in preparation for an emergency but using it every day is too hard for Bill. We have closed off the basement and no longer use it for living, just for storage, so that has made a big difference in our electric bill.

      The medical bills are paid and Bill and I are better. That is really all that matters.

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  4. It is wonderful to hear that you are so mindful of the property and how to best care for it! I don't think many people care so much anymore! Buildings goin up eerywhere and no thought to the urban spread or wildlife.

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    1. Oh, you are singing my song! Urban spread drives me crazy! I pass new subdivisions being built on fertile farmland and I fuss to whomever is in the car to listen. I am all for shoving people into high-rise apartments in the big cities and letting me own the country.

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  5. Let's see if I can comment now! I seem to be able to on other blogs...
    Bad Scooter!!!
    I loved your descriptions of your boys : )

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    1. Scooter was very dirty and smelly when we got back in the car; but, I had taken every clean towel and spread them across the back seat. He chose to sit in my lap (for better window viewing) all the way back home (a one hour drive). Needless to say, after his hot bubble bath, he went to bed and slept like a rock.

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