Site Discussions

My log home building instructor was adamant that logs for a home must be cut in the late fall and winter. Yes the sap is down and it will be hard to peel at that time of year but it will also be far more rot resistant. As you mentioned, during the spring and summer the tree is actively growing and creating the thicker softer band of that years growth ring. This layer is much more susceptible to insects and decay. For a major investment like a home, and one that should last for many generations, it doesn’t pay to take any shortcuts just to make it easier, at least not if doing it the hard way produces a longer lasting result.  A pressure washer with a rotating tip can make fast work of peeling a log but great care must taken not to get to close or shoot directly at the log or you will shred it and expose the softer wood.

If you’re worried about animals browsing, why not make your cuts @ 6’ above ground? As long as you’ve got a good root system, it should be stable—I’m judging by the centuries-old stave orchards in western europe who use this technique.

Hey Benjamin! Great article. I too harvested cattails this spring and found them to be such a rewarding and tasty food. I loved reading your descriptions and process of harvesting. Thanks for sharing.

The problem is that deer are approximately 10 times more numerous now than they were “over the ages.” Most reputable wildlife scientists put pre-Columbian white-tailed deer densities east of the Mississippi at about 1-5 million. We now have approximately 25-50 million. That coupled with the fact that over half of the natural pre-columbian habitat has been lost means deer densities are higher than just the deer abundance suggests, meaning ginseng and all other plants browsed by deer are being severely affected. Planting is ineffective at landscape scales and SHOULD NOT be necessary!!! Our eastern forests are the most resilient in North America. When in a balanced ecosystem, no planting is necessary!

I would really suggest using a electric chainsaw for close-to-house use. Much quicker, no hassle with fuel or carburetor issues after long storage. Just plug in and you’re all set to go. It is really good for firewood. I was quite skeptical, but these small chainsaws proved worthy. I personally own one. Just buy a good brand, don’t go cheap.

So can you heat the tea once you’ve steeped it or do you have to drink it cold?

I was sitting on my porch talking with my friend (Drake) and I saw a PANTHER go mock 10 across my lawn and LEAP over the fence that leads into the horse pasture. My bffs (Hillary and Lidia) saw two mountain lions chilling on their porch. They have a picture of it.

I’m watching a skunk burrow his winter den under a storage container right now. I wanted to know what all the rustling outside was at 5am - turns out he’s pushing leaves in front of the hole. This page was super helpful, thanks!

Thank you for your words, I was confused by this article and others on using a maul instead of an ax.

My entire life I have only ever seen axes used for splitting wood. My family and friends, in Europe, have used axes to split wood for centuries. The one time I used a maul I failed miserably at it, probably because I was used to using an ax.

The technique behind splitting wood with any tool is what’s important. You start on a wood block, not on the ground, then you pull the ax down to create as much velocity as possible. If you hit the piece of wood close to the edge, or on a strategic split/crack, the wood will fly apart violently in opposite directions, no problems. If the ax gets stuck, you lift it with the block of wood and drop it on the ax butt against the block, it MUST split.

Thanks all, I’ll stick to what works.

Oh, wow.  I can’t stop chuckling about the story behind the Latin name!

I had several skunks that visited in the summer/fall of 2014, but had no skunks this year. We had a terribly cold winter with too much snow. Do you think they all died?

Great story.

I am very curious about these. I have them everywhere around my house. Can eat them just the way they are?

Yes, in a way it’s gross though a fact of life those of us that spend much time in the out of doors learn to accept and live with. Nice article!

Very interesting article. Memories of squirrel pies. Loved the ending about the peace offering for the yellow jacket!

Botfly larva in cattle are common. I’m not a squirrel hunter so this is new to me.

Yep—count me among the folks who find this wicked gross.  :)

So sad. I miss them too. I would sit on the open porch at night and turn on the light to draw the insects in under the roof. The bats would swoop all around me enjoying the smorgasbord. I would feel a tiny breeze as they flew by me.

Great article, Jon. A most enjoyable read!

I miss the bats. I’ve left the porch light on until I go to bed to draw the insects just in case there’s a bat in the area. I haven’t seen one in two years. I hope they make a strong comeback.