Second trip to the top...

Thats a great concept and very well put..pity some people dont seem to learn these lessons before doing the damage hey Lori? Your Dad was a wise man in these ways, and you have a chance to make a mark for him, hopefully. I always admired the ways of the Red Indian in how they lived with and within nature.
I hope you have many years to do what you would both like...dont forget to keep a diary!

My word, it really is going to be both an adventure and learning curve Lori. It is fascinating reading your reports. Looks like you have a massive task ahead of you. I wish you luck. Take care

Im so grateful to you Lori for writing such descriptive but interesting reports ~ i love reading them, i feel as if im learning forest lore, history, geography, biology and looks as if astrology could be on the list eventually!!
it will be fascinating to read your diary ~ i do hope you write it as tetra says! ~ with pictures!!
thanks again for your intriguing blogs.

That was a really interesting read Lori. I love the thought of you nurturing this somewhat abused woodland and restoring it's ability to flourish. That's something really worthwhile! :)

Thanks Lori. I really admire your depth of knowledge, and the energy you must have to contemplate all that work ahead! Do you wait for the snow to melt before you start . . . and how long a season do you get before the bad weather starts again??
It will be so interesting to keep up with your progress on here - if you have the time to write about it. :)

i will second that sheila!
i was watching that program on canada last night where ray mears was looking at an old defence post on hudson bay, he said that it didnt open until june last year because of snow drifts!!

Thanks, everyone, for the support!
Sheila: Taking away the logs, and cutting and felling trees is easier in the winter. Wood that is green (i.e. growing when it was cut) has to be cut and aged..it should be piled to dry for at least two winters before using, as burning green wood increases the creosote build up in the pipes of your woodstove!(and hence...chimney fires!) The cutting of scrub is also most easily done in the winter as it is visible above the snow...but the actual clean up work is best done in late spring. Then you can see what's blooming, what's dying, where trees may be injured and leaking sap, and where to thin the canopy for more light to younger trees.
November is usually the darkest month, cold and wet. It's about the only time I don't like working in the bush.
Tetra, Cinders, Sticki and Karen: I must appear a little crazy...taking on this at my stage in life. lol...thanks for your kind comments and support...and yes, I will be very careful!

Like everyone else Lori I am enjoying your blog's they are fascinating, the picture's are good.

Great that you love your new home so much, it really shows!

loved reading this chapter Lori, i cant believe how much energy you have and what your going to be doing, all sounds fascinating and nice to hear your dreams and also how it reminds you of your dad,is this work on your land or is it something that people do when they live in mountain areas to keep the trees going when using them for heat etc,keep us posted, enjoy it all :o)

loved reading this so much...its great to get an insite of life on the other side....how much land have you taken custody of?
our land was devoid of trees when we moved here eighteen years ago. but we have planted over two hundred trees most of which have come from seed..including one canadian redwood which marks our deerhound Dylans grave..big tree for a big dog....
looking forward to watching it all unfold in the spring... :-)

Hello Sandras!
Sanbaz: Many of the people here use the wood from their property to help defray heating costs. We have a woodstove/fireplace in our livingroom and as yet we have not used it. We have plenty of wood, but I have problems with wood smoke! STrange I know.
Sandra: According to our deed, we have just under 8 acres. I am looking at forests now, in a whole new way. I've always marvelled at how deforested Great Britain is. Are there any areas of forest primeval left in GB? I know there are areas of Scotland now where reforestation is being done. When I see pics of Scotland I see that the land here is very much like that. Glens and burns, etc. LOL... Part of my family came from Wales a number of generations back but I'm ashamed to admit that I don't know a great deal about Wales, so the best way to learn is to ask, right? What trees are native to a Welsh forest?

I'm no expert on Welsh trees either Lori. here in Pembrokeshire which is on the west coast i dont think we have much untuched woodland. mostly its been cleared for farming. there are miles and miles of hedgerows full of ash, birch, black thorn, willow and hazel. there is a scheme call tir gofal which is encouraging farmers to replant their hedges and protect them from the cattle this way we can farm and regenerate the native plants.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLR_enGB258GB258&q=pembrokeshire+native+trees
this is a link to a full list of pembrokeshire natives...
now we will both know more...lol

Thanks Sandra! I have read a bit about the hedgerows.
good to have an update. took a look at the Pembrokeshire coastal park site.... also joined a facebook group ...It looks absolutely beautiful, Sandra. I can see why you'd brave the horizontal rain...a very special place to live. Lucky you!

we each have a cross to bare to live in such glorious spots...i cant wait to see whats under your blanket of snow.....

I'd be only too happy to "show and tell", if only the weather will cooperate! Usually don't see any trend toward spring until the equinox. Being in the country, I'm preparing for the MUD season. Mandy's feet are in better shape this winter...(no salt from the streets).

mud after the melt yes?...my garden is treacherous from all the rain...but today we have sunshine and husband and sons a present today so im hopeing they finish digging the veg plot. happy days..:-)

What I wouldn't give to be able to start to dig my veg plot in February!!! With all the help it should go quickly!
Enjoy!