Been biding my time hoping to find that free, close to home score of Ash trees. Friday when the wife and I were out and about, I notice a sign on the side of the road, 3 miles from home. I called the number and left a message and the guy returned my call this morning. We went up there and he showed us everything we could cut. Some of it's a little tricky to get to, but nothing that's really that bad. Best part is, there are more trees than I care to try and count. Dropped 2 trees today and brought home a load. Plan on going back every day this week for more. I'll keep taking wood until the guy kicks me out, real nice guy btw. I told the wife that I'd like to get at least 10 trailer loads. First tree. First load. Yay for me! Woohoo!
Make sure you bring him a little something-something. Home made pie, some venison chops if you hunt, fresh filets if you fish, something to let him know you actually appreciate it. I bet the last thing you'll have to worry about is getting g kicked out and you'll be the first on speed dial when he or his neighbors have fiarwood for the takin.
See, there's the problem with keeping your shoes and socks on. Nice size tree there, go get it, go get it, go get it.............
The wife got really excited when I told her that the guy called and we were going to go and cut some free wood. I told her I needed to go get some 2 cycle oil and an extra chain first and she was chompin' at the bit the whole time. She said she's jealous that I get to go cut wood the rest of the week while she's at work. I told her not to worry because we can go again Saturday. I hate cutting wood in this kind of weather, but I'm not going to pass it up either. There were 2 guys with a truck cutting when we were there and if I'm lucky, everyone else will have to work this week while I'm up there cutting. I've been waiting for this kind of opportunity for a long time and I'm going to stay at it as long as I can. I was getting ready to start cutting on my own trees as soon as the weather broke, but now I think that can wait until next year.
let him know your heating with wood and always looking for more. bet he'll find you all you can take.
That's the thing with people around here, they don't usually take gifts in return for kind acts. He did tell me that he was recovering from a knee replacement and shouldn't be walking around too much, even though it didn't seem to slow him down. He has 50 acres and some cows. Before I'm done I plan on telling him to call me if he needs help of any kind around the place, although I'm sure he won't because that's just how people are around here. I told the wife to be sure and send them a christmas card, even though we don't send christmas cards to anyone.
Norky, your areas independent work ethic notwithstanding, you have acknowledged the gift extended to you and while this landowner may not "trouble you" to help mend fences, etc., believe that he will remember a nice pie/cake/seasonal harvest, specialty dish etc and always consider you for future wood hoarding...JMO
Agree with Ashwatcher, and others. Show up with a nice treat, or whatever (find out what he likes to drink/eat), and it'll be hard for him to refuse. It'll also stay in his memory for a LONG time. It's kinda the right thing to do.
Actually, I did think of something I can give him, a gift card for TSC. I don't see how someone with as much pasture fence could turn that down. Went and cut down a few smaller trees today. Brought back one load in the GC so far and about to go back for another. It's already 79 and getting hotter and the biting flies are starting to get mean. Rain tomorrow, but high of 70 on Wednesday which should be a lot easier. I'm taking all of my tops and stacking them in piles, looks like all of the other cutters are just leaving them lay. This is just a part of what's there. The trees wrap around the back side of his house and go on for a while.
Norky, I hear you on thank you gifts, I'm surrounded by Ole time independant Vermont farmers, but one neighbor went thru knee surgery.. I didn't ask I snowblowed his drive.. he said thanks you didn't have too.. he then let's my nephews borrow his 4 wheeler.. I wash and fill with gas after.. he hollers at me for it... it took 6 years but he calls and asks now for help. A home cooked apple pie always stick in memory.. cleaning up for a guy with a bad knee is a big deal too! good for you!
I have a trailer, it's in my first post. The area I was in today was kind of steep and I wouldn't have been able to get the trailer up in there. Wasn't wanting to work to hard today anyway with how hot it is. Welp, time to get back at it.
