In yesterday’s post I mentioned that we’re felling trees again. But my update was brief, overlooking a couple of important details, so I’m revisiting the stump-to-lumber topic this afternoon. (I probably should have titled today’s post something more inclusive since our homegrown wood isn’t exclusively destined to become the next round of Rosslyn furniture, floors, railings, and trim.)
Yes, the straightest and best grade ash we’re culling will join the leftover timber that Pam and Glen are inventorying in the carriage barn to be allocated to future carpentry projects. But not all of the wood will meet the conditions necessary for milling into boards. But we try to avoid wasting anything at Rosslyn, so the majority of what remains after logs are hauled off to the sawyer will become firewood for use at Rosslyn and ADK Oasis. And once the timber and firewood is set aside, the rest (mostly smaller branches, etc.) will find its way into Aaron‘s chipper. The ground up tree bits and pieces will be transformed into landscaping mulch and/or incorporated into our compost operation. Nothing wasted!
Practical But Poignant
Harvesting the storm-falls from mighty winds makes sense. Waste not, want not. Recycle, upcycle, repurpose, and reuse everything possible. But losing lofty trees isn’t easy.
I’m not afraid to harvest a tree when circumstances warrant, [but] it’s nevertheless a poignant passing and sentimental benchmark when towering trees that helped define Rosslyn’s environs over the years must be culled.
(Source: Lumberjacking)
Shade trees, specimen trees, feature trees, ornament trees,… We describe trees that preside prominently over our homes and yards with reverence. We honor them. We respect them. We pamper them. But sometimes our respectful care is not sufficient. With the pressure of climate change upon us, we have reacted often enough to learn that proactive tree maintenance as crucial.
Storm damage to several of Rosslyn’s oldest feature trees in recent years, combined with a perspective shifting meeting with our insurance estimator this past summer, compel us to undertake some selective tree removal of unhealthy / dying ash trees located too close to the carriage barn and icehouse for comfort.
(Source: Lumberjacking)
Recent years’ storm damage has become more norm than exception. And each time a microburst, ice storm, soggy spring snowstorm, or violent thunderstorm leaves a wake of tree debris, we mourn the loss. I’m not exaggerating. Living members of the Rosslyn family struck down incite our melancholy for the premature loss — and it *always* feels premature — and our gratitude for the years that we and our forbears have enjoyed their presence.
Proactive Maintenance
Anticipating similar (or perhaps even more severe) weather in the foreseeable future has guided our current tree work.
Last summer, our insurance estimator helped us understand that the home insurance industry is evolving in response to climate change. Natural disasters resulting from climate change will continue to effect homeowners, but insurance coverage for these incidents will diminish (and even end) in order for insurance providers to recalibrate and remain solvent when the severity and frequency of extreme weather events is increasing.
And so we have learned from our recent arboreal losses and the oracular advice of our insurance company. Rosslyn is a remarkably resilient oasis, but we must do our part to ensure that we are protecting her as she has protected us. Reducing infirm ash trees near our buildings is a reasonable safeguard despite our sentimental attachment.
We appreciate the conscientious tree work being undertaken by Aaron and Tony. Slow and steady. Precise. Calculated. Cautious. Thank you.
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