You see a great big gorgeous tree and just sit there and think how you would go about cutting it down and how much wood it would yield? That’s all I can think each time I’m at my kids school and I see this big ole oak. Main trunk is roughly 4’ across and goes up about 20’-25’ before it branches out. The main beams all start out around 2' across or so. I would think this tree is pushing 5 cords or so.
Yep, I do the same thing. I also think about the age of the tree and what it could say if it could talk.
There’s actually a couple oak trees at my work and a cherry tree with a massive trunk for it’s size. Even has a burl on it. The trees will stay but they are building the new school where the playground and field used to be.
I assume we all do that to some degree, but also share the same solace from a living, healthy tree. I think we all feel a little remorse when a giant comes down, but even in death we still honor the tree for the fuel it provides, be it compost or heat. I've always felt, the euphoria we all get from the fragrence of fresh cut firewood, is just the tree's reminder to us of that offering. I'm stepping down from the pulpit now and going to file some chains. Cut safe this weekend everyone!
Along those lines, I often wonder what the tree has "seen" during it's lifetime.... Was it in the middle of a civil war battle...or revolutionary war...or see indians sling arrows at a deer when it was young...
On Thursday I had a doctor's appointment and in the waiting room was a large painting of a tree in a field. I found myself planning the way I would drop it.....
After purchasing over 20 years of downed tree firewood permits, I look for downed trees everywhere we hike (parks, forests...) and try to figure out how to buck them up. My wife watches the birds and wildlife. I tell her about the downed wood I see and she tells me about the birds and wildlife she sees. I enjoy the tall trees when I remember to look up.
I do think about that sometimes, yes. I also am always just looking at trees and naming species. Makes life a little more fun when you are interested in something that is everywhere!
There is a Black Locust across the street from my office. It has to be at least 36-40” across. I’d love to cut it down. Yes, I do fantasize about trees bring firewood.
