Maggie's Farm

Last week it took 4 guys with trucks, saws, ropes, and a cherry picker to take down my giant dying Beech tree in 4 days. Not to mention a lot of $.

Last night, a damp heavy snowstorm took down a White Pine in an instant, around 4 AM. The quick way to down a tree. The boom woke me up. The main trunk missed my shed by 3' and missed my car by less than a foot, and somehow missed my flag. I uttered a Thanks to the Snow Goddess. It did knock down my fence, though.

White Pine is a fast-growing, brittle tree. It's best kept far from things that matter. Terrible landscape trees. This was about an 18" diameter main trunk, which snapped around 10' above the ground. Photo is (was) the top of the tree.

Tree guys are skilled guys with highly-dangerous work. Well-paid, too. Taking down a half-dead 60' Beech tree is not for amateurs, especially where pool fences and utility wires are a factor.  Last week's windstorm put an end to coddling this failing but magnificent monster of a tree. Sometimes reality says Give Up. Beech Bark Fungus.

Beech is tough on chainsaws - very dense wood - and near-impossible to split by hand whether seasoned or not.  It's like iron. I think, as dense as Ironwood which does not provide much firewood but which also wears out blades. Beeches are great for wildlife. Beech nuts are food for turkey, grouse, squirrels,chipmunks, deer, birds, etc.

Tree guys refuse to cut you regular-sized logs. Takes too much time. They throw them all in the chipper. A shame but I don't have time on a workday to do it myself. Wish I did, cuz I have good saws.  Annoys me, because good firewood is gold. We have daily fires from fall to spring. Still, with all of the big stuff they are leaving me, we might need to rent a log splitter this summer. As a freebie, though, the guys cut me a 4" through- trunk slice for an outdoor coffee table top. Nice.

It takes 10-12 months to season firewood around here. If left out in the weather, 10-12 months to be fireplace-ready. However hot the fire, I will not burn green wood anymore.

Also, always tip workmen generously - before the job is done. It's good for the economy, and a display of gratitude is welcome and encouraging. Around here, a $20/day cash tip per guy is a good show of thanks. These hard-working guys do not need the gym; just a couple of Coronas and a good sleep. Often, I feel that I would like work like that. Vigorous physical outdoor work is good for the soul. Just my opinion.

This was a splendid and beloved tree - but mortal, and mighty even in death. We tried to count the rings: around 120 years old. Copper Beech is a dramatic tree, but not native to North America. It's European. Yes, that is snow around.

Image: Iroquois fashion. The dude on the right has culturally-appropriated a European blanket and an iron or steel hatchet.

Like Elizabeth Warren and hundreds of thousands of Eastern Americans, we were raised on the myth of Indian blood. Spit test says none. I came out 85% English and 15% Scandinavian. I assume the Scandinavian is from the Normans (ie the Frenchified Vikings).

I mainly focus on the northeastern Indian cultures. For them, winter was a mixed blessing. Hunting and transportation was easier, fishing was more difficult. Groups that lived near the coast moved inland and built weather-proof wigwams and longhouses, some as much as 100' long. If they had a good summer corn (maize) crop in the summer, they would not starve. Remember, the northeastern Indians had hundreds of acres of corn, bean, and squash fields. Sometimes they starved when the food ran out. They did ice-fishing, and sometimes did cannibalism. 

What about winter clothing? Deerskin leggings, deerskin shirts, and cloaks or coats of animal skins. Also, they greased themselves down with animal fats, preferably bear fat, as insulation.