Next, using the chain saw and/or bow saws, we remove all the branches from the tree, except for the branches on the underside of the tree. These lower branches hold the tree off the ground so Jack can use the chain saw to cut up the tree without hitting the ground with the saw. I move these cutoff branches away from the fallen tree as they are quite slippery to walk on.
As this photograph shows, I use a tape measure and bow saw to mark 48 inch segments on the tree. Jacks then uses the chain saw to cut up the tree.
Here is a photograph of a tree that Jack had cut into equal length segments along my marks.
We choose a sunny spot nearby, usually in the clearing left by cutting down the dead trees, and begin to make a pile. We place each log on top of the pile and I spray the log with lindane.
In this photograph of our log pile, you can see the wisdom of marking the trees with a tape measure. All the logs are the same length except for the top ends which Jack has laid along side the log pile. Having the logs the same length makes covering the log pile much easier as well as later facilitating the cutting of the logs into the right length for our wood burning stove.
Depending on how many logs we have, Jack makes the pile about 3
to 4 feet high. We found, from experience, that if the pile is too low, deer and elk will walk over the pile rather then around it; I realize this seems unlikely but I know they do this as I have found footprints leading up to and from a log pile with the resulting holes in the cover from the deer/elk hooves. As the next page shows, the height of the log pile also depends on the width of the plastic we will use to cover the log pile. |
