(no subject)

Wellp, the old elm on the neighbor's side of the house has decided for us what is to be done. One side of it is dead, the other side dying. Funny thing - my neighbor had complained about this tree and asked me to take it out. While I didn't exactly say "no", I was of course stalling for time until we could decide what to do. I had talked to Mr. Thatcher, my tree guy, and for some reason after that initial discussion (during which he'd said he really didn't want to take it out), I could not get hold of him for over a year. I would call, no answer. Leave a message, no response. The guy just did not want to do this thing (and neither did I) so it didn't get done. Also, my answering machine seems to screen out calls it doesn't think I should have (they can't get through). I called him this morning on a whim. He answered! He came over in about 5 minutes, looked at the tree. We saw the dead areas. Decision made. The stump will be used for inoculating and growing shiitakes, maitakes, and oysters. The sections of trunk will be used to make outdoor furniture. The logs will be cut to firewood size. The smaller branches, twigs, and leaves will be mulch. If anyone needs some firewood, see me in two weeks. The date is set for then.

I think it's excellent that I could not, and I by "could not", I mean "to save my life" get hold of Mr. Thatcher before now. The tree lived out its entire life span (and by "life span", I mean in this current, Dutch Elm Disease-infested environment). I just wish I could let it die and fall naturally (we'd get some wonderful Morels and other mycelia by doing that). But I can't because it would probably clip my roof on the way down judging from the way it's leaning. But the wood will go back into the ground one way or another.