We used to have a maple in front of the shed that gave shade during the summer, so the shed was a cool haven from bugs when doing yard work. During the fall, the leaves would turn a beautiful red-orange, then, uh, fall, letting the sun in during winter to help heat up the shed when WS had need to be out there. We (meaning WS) finally had to cut it down this year.
It had been sickly for two reasons; the base had been buried long ago (15-20 years), then a bear tore a feeder off of it, taking off a huge limb that it never did fully recover from (see how that whole right side is bare - used to be a lot more there).
WS and I talked about getting another maple to put in its place, but we figured getting the stump out was unlikely and there wasn't enough room to put a tree in beside it (shed, fence, leachfield). However, WS started digging, and digging, until he found the base of the tree and cut off the stump.
The base was dang near 2 feet down, so there is plenty of room to plant another tree and I went out and got a 9-10 foot tall Red Sunset Maple from Ponemah Farms Nursery, in Amherst. I managed to get it into my poor little Jeep (wish I had gotten pictures of it). Thankfully the front seat back can be leaned so it is level with the back of the vehicle. The pot was was pushed up against the dash and the top trailed out. The hatch was tied shut - side note to Jeep: why are there no tie downs on the dang hatch?There are tie downs inside the tailgate, but nothing on the hatch so I had to be creative and use the window wiper to keep the rope in place. Anyhoo, the nursery encased the tree in a huge plastic bag so the leaves and limbs didn't get whipped around in the wind as I drove the 35 miles home.
Yep, that the tree just in front of WS's truck.
The planting of the tree will have to wait as WS got a sudden HAHA (think about it) and decided that a huge rock, that has minded its own business and not caused any trouble for over 20 years, has to go. I am dubious that he will get it out with the 4-wheeler, but he thinks he can (the flat spot to the right of the rock is where the stump was).
I'm also sure that removing it wil cause problems for the ramp to the shed, but WS is determined to win out on his vendetta against this rock at all costs - besides, what do I know?
We'll find out today if he prevails or not.
Bogie--Keep us posted on how WS does in his fight with the rock. (How cruel of you. HAHA, indeed!)
; )
Posted by: Cop Car | May 29, 2011 at 08:59 AM