This afternoon I took advantage of some dry weather and decided to lop, chop and saw down the thuggish dogwood (cornus sanguinea, or common dogwood). It took me about 2 and a half hours without the aid of any powertools, and I’m pretty chuffed with myself. I reckon the dogwood was approaching 20ft in height and I’ve lopped and sawed it down to the main ‘branches’.
There’s still a way to go but I think, given that my biceps resemble sparrow’s kneecaps, I’m going to need a chainsaw. I’ve got it down to around 6ft but couldn’t do much more today. I was quite impressed that I manage to do some tree climbing; there were times when I was balancing with each foot on a branch, relying on the strength of the overgrown shrub to take my weight. I had to twist and climb and test branches before lodging myself in a position where I could do some manic sawing. It made me feel a bit like the 10 year old tomboy I used to be. I spent half of my childhood up trees.
So we’ve been left with a large pile of cuttings. I think I’ll probably chop up the really thick parts and leave them to season for firewood next year. It’s softwood, so I imagine it’ll burn quickly. But it’s free fuel. The rest will go through the chipper and can be used as some sort of weed-suppressing mulch, or just put straight into the compost.
Rich came out to have a look at my handy-work and has already started having ideas about planting silver or paper birch trees, to avoid being overlooked. He thought it would be good to create a micro woodland-walk area, and I tend to agree.
Anyhow, I still have a long list of To Do jobs to try and complete ASAP. The list includes:
- Pruning all fruit trees (damson, crab apple, plum, cherry)
- Pruning the other trees (big task)
- Chopping back all hedging
- Digging out new big veg plot and putting proper borders around the rest
- Clean greenhouse and get Rich to FINALLY build my staging
- Build new chicken house (and get new chickens, yey)
I reckon I can get the first 3 done before Christmas, but above and beyond that, who knows?
November 27th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Just to let you know ( if you didn’t already…) if you chip dogwood it can regrow from the chips…so be warned…as you may end up with dogwood sprouting all over the beds you have mulched….
Not that I speak from experience, or anything. Oh no. We couldn’t possibly have done any thing so silly.
Honest.
Well actually…I did…but I spotted it before it took hold and it was in a bed where it didn’t really matter as it already had Cornus in it.
But still……be warned! ;-))
And it can regrow in a cool compost heap as well…..
I would either bag it up OR pile it up and cover it to keep out the light…that should do the trick on it!
November 27th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
A haaa! another similarity - I too spent most of my childhood up trees! Me and my friend used to pack a lunch and go ‘tree-climbing’ for the whole day. It was such an adventure and the next estate where there was a small wooded area seemed like a trek into a faraway land! Well done
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Only just come across your blog - thanks for sharing - also liked the photos - recently finished reading ‘Living the Good Life’ about an inspiring Aussie couple’s journey - see:
http://ruscombegreen.blogspot......-life.html
And love tree climbing - it is time to see a return to real play - instead of standardised equipment more wild/nature areas for children:
http://ruscombegreen.blogspot......d-and.html
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Loving your blog. I too have a to do list made up of hedges and trees and all that that entails for life here at our small smallholding.
!
I’ve been cheeky and tagged you for a meme, please feel free to ignore it should you wish