quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
The valuable junioer is Utah juniper. They have a nice, straight trunk, and are commonly used for fence posts—they wear like iron; I’ve seen fences built by the CCC in the 30s and the posts were still solid.

The mountain my cabin is on is covered with Utah junipers. There isn't a straight one anywhere. Are we talking about the same tree?

Yeah, I guess I should have said they CAN have nice straight trunks that would make good fence posts. You posted a picture of one growing exposed on the side of a mountain, but clearly, they aren’t all straight.

I view conifers in a little different way -- Is it a tree I need to cut down, does it need trimming (fire mitigation & vehicle access), or can I leave it as is? This concept began in 2019, when forested portions of our family land were badly affected by snow storms, wind storms, and beetles. I've been "chainsaws R us" since then. Most of what I've felled is ponderosa pine, but there are a few fir, spruce, and juniper thrown in for variety.

Here's my latest find of a tree that's going tits up from beetles. I estimate a touch over 2 feet in diameter at what will be the felling cut, and maybe 70 feet tall. It's on the bank of a seasonal creek bed that's about 20 feet deep. The safest direction to fall it would be straight back at the camera, into the center of the stream bed. But it leans out of the stream bed, into flats behind & right of the tree -- with enough lean that wedging can't overcome. But this means that upon falling the butt will bounce into the air, with the possibility of its kicking sideways or backwards. There's also a possibility that the stem will break as it lands on the stream bank's edge, and then who knows where the butt log will go. The only safe escape route is to a slightly larger tree about 20 yards to the left -- on the left edge of the picture. I partially cleared a runner's escape path last weekend, but more work will be required. Not optimal, but doable with precise face & back cuts. Plus a quick dash to behind the larger live tree, when this one begins to fall.



I didn't begin documenting the trees I've felled at our ranch until 2023. The counts were 57 in 2023, 106 in 2024, and 111 so far in 2025. This doesn't include saplings. It also doesn't include a dozen or three that I fall per year in the foothills for family members. I just don't get excited about the "brand" of tree anymore. Just whether or not I can let it stand as is.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
If it's shimmering with lights and doo dads on your living room,
It's Christmas.

If there is only one, you’re in Brooklyn.