Devonviolet Acres

Devonviolet

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We are moving the remaining, partial round bale, from our canvas garage to the barn. To do that, we are planning to put it on to our 12 foot trailer and back it up to the 6 foot door of the barn.

The problem was, that there was a cedar tree (14" trunk and 30 feet high) in the way. So, this afternoon we went out and I cut it down with the chainsaw. DH tied a heavy rope around the tree about 10 feet up and went out about 30 feet, after I did the notch cut.

Then, with a wedge next to me (in case I needed it), I started the back cut. I was a bit surprised that I only cut in about 3" when I heard a couple loud cracks (even with ear plugs in) and the tree started moving. Except for a slight (5 foot) deviation, to the left, the tree went where I wanted it. I will say, it was a good thing we moved the trailer, as it went right where the trailer had been.

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This was taken from the top, of the tree. If you look really close, at the other end of the long trunk, on the ground, you can see the tree stump.
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Here is the trunk after we cut about 10 feet off the top end. The piece of equipment to the far left, is a lumber mill. It was here when we bought the property. It needs some work. But, eventually we want to learn how to use it and mill the tree trunks stacked next to it.
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ETA: I was out cutting more wood, with the chain saw today and measured the trunk. We actually ended up with FOUR 8"+ fence posts. we found the top, of the tree. It was too thin to use for a fence post, so it will be burned tomorrow. So, we figured out that the tree was actually 40' not 30'! The base of the tree was actually 17", not 14" which was my best guess the other day.
 
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greybeard

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The piece of equipment to the far left, is a lumber mill. It was here when we bought the property. It needs some work. But, eventually we want to learn how to use it and mill the tree trunks stacked next to it.
Looks like a Norwood. Don't let those silver rails get bent!! ...they are the key to sawing straight cuts and letting the carriage move freely back and forth.
 

Devonviolet

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Yes, it is a Norwood. I haven't noticed if they are bent. The previous owner cut lumber with it and they weren't the prettiest, even pieces of wood I've ever seen. I hope he didn't bend them. We haven't put anything but plywood or cementboard siding on the rails.
 

greybeard

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Bad cuts can be from lots of things..dull blade or blade not tensioned properly...knotted hardwood like some of the logs I see stacked up in the pic are going to be..travel speed too fast or slow..blade not tracking right along the rollers...
They make good sawmills tho. I ran a different Norwood near San Angelo small sawing mesquite planks..had a twin Kohler engine on it.
 

Devonviolet

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Yesterday, DH was out in the barn sealing the OSB, with primer, so I can go in there, without getting sick from toxic chemicals off-gassing.

Earlier, on the weather report, they mentioned that there wasn't going to be much wind. So, I suggested DH light the burn pile, and burn up all the excess cedar branches from the tree we recently cut down.

I was in the kitchen, while DH painted, and decided to take a break, to go out & see how the painting & burn pile were going. BIG MISTAKE! When I got out there I saw that the pile had burned down & needed wood added. Little did I realize I would end up putting ALL of the big pile of cedar branches on the burn pile!!!

The previous owner put two very large oak tree stumps, with massive rootballs (filled with clay in all the spaces between roots) on the burn pile. :duc We have burned that pile about five times since moving here and hardly made a dent on those dag burn stumps. We even tried cutting wedges out, to give more access to inner pulp. We just couldn't get those stumps to really start a good burn. :th

This time, with all that sap filled cedar, we managed to get a good burn going.
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We kept shoving smaller branches, with needles attached, into nooks & crannies UNDER the stumps. It took a bit of persistence, but eventually, we managed to get the underside of the stumps burning. :celebrate We had a nice orange glow coming from under the stumps :clap

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The biggest stump was close to the edge, of the pile, so I was concerned about the grass catching on fire. So I stayed out there until well after dark, pushing coals back into the pile and waiting for the flames to die down. So, I was out there for a total of five hours, tending that fire. I was exhausted! Also a bit sore, as I fell on my side, when I tried to bend & break one of the 10 foot long branches, so it would fit on the fire. I had done that several times, very successfully. Well, this time, as it snapped, somehow it sprung back, like a big spring, throwing me off balance, and I went flying. It happened so fast, yet seemed like slow motion. :thI called DH, to help me up, and was able to get right back at it, moving branches. However, I'm a bit sore today, to say the least!!!

Earlier this morning, DH was out to check progress with the pile. He said the smaller of the two stumps is smaller but still there. The bigger, of the two stumps us almost gone! :celebrate:weee :celebrate I'll try to get out there, to get a pic or two later.
 
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CntryBoy777

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Ya can burn the stumps up by putting some deisel fuel on them and let it soak into them a few hrs before lighting it up. They will burn....stumps and roots tend to smolder and not burn like the other parts of the tree....:)
 
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