A Few of the Lessons Learned. . .

From a year of dealing with tree waste.

• Use an arborist, not a “tree trimmer.” An arborist knows what it means to “poll” a tree. Apparently, at least some “tree trimmers” think it means to turn a tree into a pole. *sigh*
• Know your limits and how to compensate for them.
• While I can turn some into lumber and some into mulch, much of it just has to be burned.
• Keep at it. Pay attention and keep learning.

Yeh, the five sycamores still standing are going to HAVE to come down this year, but I need to clear out the rest of the wood waste, first. Luckily, just about all of what is left standing will cycle through a chainsaw lumbermill setup pretty nicely, I think, if I can get an arborist to cut them down in about 10′ chunks. (that size is about the maximum I can move around, even with block and tackle, and rolling–with a peavey/timberjack– even that size up onto a modified sawbuck for milling will be. . . fun).

Learned some new limits, mostly age related, I suppose. One: do NOT tire out my “bad” knee. It is too susceptible to reinjury (ACL). Wear appropriate knee braces, too (yeh, yeh, and back support, and “arborist’s safety equipment,” and gloves, and. . . *heh*).

OK. Have what I need for lumber milling and have milled some out of this mess, but getting better equipment will speed that up. Check. Making mulch? Check. Burning other? Check. Learned a few things there, remembered others.

1. 1. Put largest pieces to be burned (too small or crooked to mill, too large to chip) in the BOTTOM of the burn bin and kindling on top. Yeh, I know it is counter to what your granddad taught you (mine too), but I have found the larger pieces burn more thoroughly, and longer. Longer is good because. . .
   2. I have other “waste” wood that is not really waste, just some walnut trimmings, some elm, and some maple that I can turn into charcoal. Cur up decent hardwood scraps into nice 3”x3” or so chunks, pack into a clean paint can, drill hole in lid and seal the paint can. place it in the middle of the fire you build, then burn your firewood. When the fire burns longer, more wood gas outgasses, and better charcoal results.
   3. Also: I’ve learned to cut down on paper trash taken to the curb for disposal. Paper trash can make excellent fire starting material.
   4. A wee bit of diesel is a great fire starting aid.

   So, I just need to keep at it and pay attention to processes, both great and small. There’s always room for improvement.