FIRE WOOD AND OTHER PRESSING MATTERS

This morning Susie went to town watch Memphis play soccer and then on to St. Donatus  with Joanie for the sorghum fest.  My morning work out included hulling a truck load of wood out of the timber.  A pair of red elm trees had fallen and several other fallen trees were down in the area.  So, back and forth to the truck I went.  I prefer to block up these fallen trees there relatively easy to block up and most of the bark is gone.  Plus it cleans things up.

Hard to believe, but trees can actually provide more habitats for wildlife dead than when they are alive. Standing dead and dying trees, called “snags”, are important for wildlife in both natural and landscaped settings, occurring as a result of disease, lightning, fire, animal damage, too much shade, drought, root competition, as well as old age.
Birds, small mammals, and other wildlife use snags for nests, nurseries, storage areas, foraging, roosting, and perching. Live trees with snag-like features, such as hollow trunks, excavated cavities, and dead branches can provide similar wildlife value.  Dead branches are often used as perches; snags that lack limbs are often more decayed and, may have more and larger cavities for shelter and nesting. Snags enhance local natural areas by attracting wildlife species that may not otherwise be found there.

 My reward after unloading the truck was several frosty mugs of ice cold apple cider that I pressed out last weekend.

Speaking of pressing, Susie picked up some fresh pressed sorghum.



 My neighbor just uprooted and took down this old maple snag just the other day.  The wheels are already in motion.  I've made the arrangements for Ryan to pick it up and hull it out to Rolli World.

What would you do with this great old snag?