Free Firewood

There are ways to get things done for free. I wanted some major tree thinning for the garden to be. More sunlight and more elbow room is the goal. That would be a fairly sizeable job to do myself. I had marked all the trees I wanted gone, predominately half dead Black Locust, Robinia pseudoacacia last year. Enquiring neighbors wanted to know, why are those trees tagged? I wanted them gone I said. Can I have them he asked. Yes, yes and yes. I have neighbors who wanted some free firewood.

We waited until the trees were bare. The better to see where to make them fall. That time has arrived and in a few short hours two guys dropped and sorted about five trees. I sacrificed the two apple trees. They were horribly misshapen and in the way of falling trees. More Black Locust trees will come out in the days ahead.

It will be spring really before actual gardening begins. Plenty of time to clean up and burn the rubbish piles left after the logs are collected. But believe me when I tell you I am already drooling over thoughts of what I can replant.

I already added a Silverbell tree. A Curly Willow followed me home from the Soiree at Kalamazoo and is ready to plant. I want some Black Gum, Dogwoods and Sourwood at least. More pines are needed to create my undulating mixed evergreen screening from the scenic byway above. And I have only mentioned the new trees I think of for the garden to be.

The cozy cabin is now even more visible from the road above to the slowly passing onlookers. For a while at least. A new garden will grow to create a more private sanctuary with the input of enhanced sunlight. The gardens raw beginning and its destiny is a forested shade garden. My input will increase the plant diversity, interest and arrangement.

Nature will have its say too. Together we will create an oasis of botanical abundance.