helen99: A windswept tree against a starlit sky (Default)
[personal profile] helen99
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.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-05-08 02:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kiarrith.livejournal.com
mer. glad the tree got to live out its life and will now be allowed to live thru other means and uses...

(no subject)

Date: 2006-05-10 07:41 pm (UTC)
ext_5300: tree in the stars (Default)
From: [identity profile] helen99.livejournal.com
He probably won't show up for another year. He never did leave his estimate in my mailbox like he said he was going to, and I think the last time I talked to him he also said something about "two weeks" (and that was a year and a half ago)...

By the time he shows up the tree will probably have died naturally (he's not the quickest human I've ever dealt with). Not that I'm complaining, since this is my way of seeing to it that it never happens until it should, while kind of putting my neighbor on permanent but unavoidable hold (she's the one who recommended this guy to me), thereby avoiding an unecessary confrontation. She udnerstands that his prices are about half of everyone else's, and she knows I've contacted him... Whether he shows up or not is not my problem...

(no subject)

Date: 2006-05-10 07:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kiarrith.livejournal.com
GIGGLES. SOUNDS GOOD ;)

(no subject)

Date: 2006-05-08 03:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] silvaerina-tael.livejournal.com
Could you save one of the smaller pieces of it for me as a wand or walking stick - not that I need one - if possible??

(no subject)

Date: 2006-05-08 05:49 pm (UTC)
ext_5300: tree in the stars (Default)
From: [identity profile] helen99.livejournal.com
That's a good idea actually. In fact, I could save aside several.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-05-09 05:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rhiannasilel.livejournal.com
Awwww.:(

Are you going to plant another tree in it's place? Perhaps another elm?

(no subject)

Date: 2006-05-09 12:58 pm (UTC)
ext_5300: tree in the stars (Default)
From: [identity profile] helen99.livejournal.com
Probably not. There's some mysterious thing killing a bunch of things in my yard and that side seems to have been hit pretty hard. I don't want to plant anything until I find out what it is (someone sneaking in and putting defoliant in my yard?) Even then, I'd probably want to put something a little smaller and less branchy there. It has a tendency to want to spread branches out and touch my and my neighbor's roof, and that causes roof damage and bugs have a bridge to get into the house more. I really don't have the room for it. :(

Anyway, now that they're putting that cell phone tower less than 4 blocks away from me, I have to seriously consider leaving here. While me getting brain damage or crossing over a few years sooner than normal probably wouldn't make that much difference (lol) I won't let anything like that happen to Rialian.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-05-22 02:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rhiannasilel.livejournal.com
I don't get why they need another cell phone tower in the area. It's Sprint, isn't it? I have a Sprint phone and from what I can tell I'm one of the few people that can get reception in your place which is saying something. It seems pretty pointless to me.

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