Because of plans for a driveway this great old tree had to go. This is also a very messy tree with the pine needles that cover everything on this side of the shop.
We got a very good bid to chop the tree down and get rid of the branches leaving us with the larger tree cuts for fire wood. Even though the driveway will be a 2015 project we decided to take advantage of the good price we got for the job.
Monday at ten the work began. I watched from a safe distance capturing the moment the tree was felled.
Timber!
Now the wood chipper was put to work. They tried to talk me into keeping the chips. It’s just not easy to unload them. I just smiled and said they could keep the chips.
It was hard enough to move all the little logs to a central location. Dear is away until tomorrow so I got the wheel barrow out and got to work.
I got my heart rate up in no time flat.
We will miss the lovely tree view we had but we will enjoy finally having a paved driveway to our garage and no pine needles to clean up.
Another view of the before and after looking down what will eventually be a driveway. This tree team probably underbid this job so I rounded up the cash payment I gave them and will have them back again to grind the stump down before work commences on the driveway.
Dear has been in Chicago at another conference since last Friday and I’m looking forward to his return early on Tuesday. This is the last trip that we will take separately for the rest of the year, Lord willing. Dear and I have had enough time apart this year.
We are having a great stretch of dry days with highs into the 70’s. Perfect weather for me. How are things in your world?
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Hi, Ellen. You were brave to have that done while your husband was gone. The logger was brave to leave his truck right beside it–I guess he was confident. I am sure you will love having a nice driveway and no mud when the time comes. We went from asphalt to concrete on our driveway a few years ago and have been happy with the cleaner look.
It’s hard to decide about cutting down big old trees. We have one, too, and it is beautiful but it is smack in the center of what could be a second lot. Every once in a while we think about putting in a mother-in-law apartment but I feel sort of responsible for this massive tree.
Thanks for your nice visit earlier–you’re so good about leaving comments!
If I told Whitney about this she would have chainsaw envy. She doesn’t like gardening or really outdoor type things BUT she LOVES to trim trees and bushes. She even climbs up in trees to trim higher limbs. That looked like a mighty tree. Praying safe travels for your hubby.
Sad to see such a majestic tree go. Pine trees sure can be messy. We have about 20 pine trees in our back yard.
Good job..but then he was using the right chainsaw:)
Isn’t it amazing with what precision those tree guys work? If I were cutting down a tree, it would be anyone’s guess where it would fall…yikes…but they can place it exactly where they want it.
I am sure that you’re glad the “apart” time between you and your hubby is nearing an end. Traveling (or staying home) together is the most fun! 🙂
Although it’s sad to see a lovely tree cut down, a paved driveway will be worth it!.
A job well done I’d say. It’s sad to see a tree go, but there is certainly no lack of trees in your part of the world, and I see quite a few in your neighborhood in your photos. Now you can get ready for your new driveway in 2015. I don’t know how you managed to move those logs by yourself. I am sure they were very heavy!
That is a good project accomplished. It looks very different, of course, without the tree, but if you miss it, you can plant something else after the driveway goes in. Oh I am glad to read that this is the last separate trip for a good while. I know that you’re planning a trip together this summer, which will be wonderful.
I always hate seeing a tree go down. But the firewood will warm your winter, and you’ll have a paved driveway. Glad to know you and your husband will be together for the rest of the year.
Ellen, that tree was really beautiful but I sure understand how it will be great to have that driveway paved next year. When we had our tree taken down last year they did it in chunks from the top down but you were treated to a real “timber” moment.
I forgot to mention that Terry considered having someone come and grind the trunk.. then he considered renting a grinder and doing it himself and then he started by notching it and building little fires everyday until there was nothing much left. In the end… I think you are doing it the best way… but you will miss the entertainment I had.
Looks like they did a good job! Impressed that you did all that “haulin’ “!! A paved driveway is nice…lessens dirt tracked in the house. Hope Dear arrives safely!
I cried the first time I ever had to cut a tree that size down. But I sure didn’t miss the pine needles or how they killed the grass. Good for you for hauling all that stuff with the wheelbarrow!
Sometimes those old trees are just more trouble than they’re worth, and they have to go. I completely understand. We have one on the east side of the house named Bertha. Her trunk is ENORMOUS!!!! Problem is that Bertha is dying. She’s being taken over by critters, so she’s gonna have to go. Her absence will mean the loss of a lot of wonderful shade on that side of the house, but it’s the sad compromise we’ll have to make.
I’m impressed that you just dove right in to the job of moving those logs! What a woman!!!
Rest up and enjoy the rest of the week!
Wow! That is a lot of firewood you have now! I bet you felt at least a little bit like a pioneer woman. All the best in getting that stump cleaned up!
Unusual indeed! Hope Mr. B got home alright! You two make such a sweet couple. 🙂