New Views~

Our second day of chipping - we were moving a bit slower!  The day was slightly overcast, but perfect for the work we were doing.  These piles, were full of dried leaves still attached to the branches & covered in dust.

Up the west edge~

Butch put the Bronco further up the hill, making the trek to the piles shorter.  It did sink in an inch or two, but the wide tires helped.  There was only one spot where the grass was torn.  Not nearly as bad as I expected.   

Many more~

Once we had the big pile at the bottom done, Butch decided he'd drive the Bronco in to the Timber & closer to the remaining piles. I just closed my eyes while he did it :-)

Chipping away~

My husband is the only person I know, who could have maneuvered the Bronco, chipper in tow, through the trees! There was only one place to get in & he just missed one of my little juniper bushes!

Clear at last!

By late afternoon, we were done! The piles of somewhat green leaves & chips are all that was left to tell the tale. I had a picture in my mind, when I'd started, of what it would look like. Now, I can't wait to see it all turn green! Wild Violets were as close to a ground cover as we had last spring. I hope they come back & multiply. With the honeysuckle gone, there will be a big increase in the amount of sunlight filtering down through the trees.

From the corner of the house~

What a change.  This change happened way faster than it would have, if Farah were still here.  Without her, clearing became my obsession.  Something to get me through the first very tough year...  It worked.

Another pair of worn out leather gloves~

I can't even count how many pair of gloves I've gone through.  We should own the company by now :-)  With several piles of chips ready to move, at least we made back some of the expense of the chipper with all the mulch.  

We went out for dinner, then took an evening drive.  A working weekend, but one of the finest of the year-to-date!

Chipping Away!

After a very cold night, down to about 22, the minute the sun crested the horizon it started warming up!  This winter, reminds me of the first one we enjoyed here the end of 2016.  February 21, 2017 - I'd ridden Farah on the Wabash Trace from Mineola to Council Bluffs.  Exactly the same ideal weather.

Bronco with the chipper~

We picked up the chipper last evening. With the help of the Bronco, Butch maneuvered it down the slippery hill, as close as he could get it to where we'd be working. Close, but not close enough! We had the length of the backyard to drag & carry all the branches, especially those at the far east end.

Five piles~

I'd managed to burn the largest pile last Sat., before we were told to put it out. Thank heaven, it hadn't been a problem for the first two-years. I'd drug all the mess from behind the Cabin, across the front, through the double gate & down the hill to our fire pit. I'd spent weeks & weeks cleaning up the mess that had been dumped on the property over the years.

Butch operating the chipper.

By sheer luck, a low wet spot along the creek bank, lined up with where the chips flew. We had our system down. I'd break the stacks of branches into manageable piles, then drag them up to Butch. When Butch wasn't chipping, he was dragging piles too. It took us most of the day.

Clear!

We did stop for lunch at Adriano's, following that with hard pack ice cream from Sugar Makery! They had lemon! I can't even remember the last time I've enjoyed lemon ice cream!

Pile of chips!

For a while, I didn't think we'd end up with many chips at all, but by the time we'd finished, there was a sizable pile!

From the deck~

Tomorrow, we tackle the piles in the Timber.  At least - I say least in the broadest sense of the term -  they're all Bush Honeysuckle.  Just as invasive, but slightly smaller branches, no thorns & not as heavy as the Autumn Olive.  Introduced in 2003 for erosion control, it rapidly got out of hand & is one of the top invasive species.  If you live in the mid-west, read up on these plant pests & eradicate them from your yard or property.  Native plants will thank you for it!

Feb. 27, 2019

 The difference a year makes~