Tree management

Some trees are just in the wrong spot.

A few years ago we cleared out all the under brush on our one acre of lake front property. The under brush had to go as it was so thick it blocked our view of the lake and made the cabin site feel kind of small. We left all the trees standing as we wanted to leave them for their appearance, shade and habitat for the birds.

Now we have plans for a new cabin and its location on the site means there are a few trees that have to go. They are just in the wrong spot.

Summer 2018

Amy, our daughter is home visiting from Calgary and she is going to give us a hand to remove a couple trees.

Two trees, one scraggly jack pine and one large really nice birch are growing just where the screened in deck is going to be on the new cabin. We tried to work around the trees with our plans but there just is not enough room.

Dan, has a logging/forestry back ground so removing the trees should not be a problem.

August 31, 2018 Top of Jack Pine (on left) already cut off. Dan climbing birch to cut out a wedge high in the trunk.

Amy using the Kubota with a cable anchored to the trunk of the birch tree to pull it over.

Amy using her dad’s power saw to limb the big birch (in front) and jack pine (behind birch).

Only the stumps are left after all the branches and debris are removed. The dirt area is where the small log cabin use to sit. It was moved to make room for the new cabin. See “Relocating small log cabin”.

Next step, stump removal. Using a power saw with an old blade Dan cut the roots of f to help loosen them.
Then with a cable attached to the loaded (for weight) one ton he is able to pull the stump and roots out.

Removing the birch stump is going to be a much bigger job. The birch tree is much larger then the jack pine and its roots are deep and wide spread.

September 7, 2018 Dan cutting the dirt and roots around the birch tree in an effort to loosen its hold in the ground. Keith (brother-in-law) looking on.

First attempt at pulling the birch stump out of the ground. Unsuccessful, those roots are still holding tight.

All that is left now is to cut the trunk into fire wood, remove as much soil as possible from around the roots and back fill the holes left in the ground.

What adventure is next?