Stone Branch

[Bill Nagle]

Stone Branch
do deer eat the quince ( i think i spelled it correct) and how big are the fruit? im trying to learn as much as i can for our place over in menifee county. thanks

 

[Stone Branch]

Stone Branch
do deer eat the quince ( i think i spelled it correct) and how big are the fruit? im trying to learn as much as i can for our place over in menifee county. thanks

Hey Bill, fruits are 2-2.5" in diameter. I can't speak to deer eating them, but my dogs sure like them. The male ruby throated hummingbird worked the flowers.

I took a property tour with the regional head forester for the forest stewardship program and area forest warden.

While I was commended for most of my efforts up on the ridge, I received a failing grade in regard to grape vines. Here is an example of grape vines breaking down a treetop, in this instance a cull black gum.

By the time we got to this tree the warden already wanted to put me in cuffs.

However, I was let off with a warning and a homework assignment to come into compliance.

Zero tolerance for vines in crop trees, they all must swing.

G

 

[Feedman]

Little chainsaw work and the vines will be gone. Won't take long

 

[Stone Branch]

Little chainsaw work and the vines will be gone. Won't take long

8 acres yesterday in a couple hours.

Pears aborted.

Peach.

Chestnut.

G

 

[timer]

I spent a day in the woods with my State Forester about 15 years ago. I got the same failing grade for grape vines. I've cut (I keep a bow saw and a long handled lopper in the side x side) every one I find since that visit.

We bought a small farm about 10 years ago that had a tree that was heavy with vines. I didn't think the tree would survive. I cut the vines and the tree made a remarkable come back...

 

[Stone Branch]

I spent a day in the woods with my State Forester about 15 years ago. I got the same failing grade for grape vines. I've cut (I keep a bow saw and a long handled lopper in the side x side) every one I find since that visit.

We bought a small farm about 10 years ago that had a tree that was heavy with vines. I didn't think the tree would survive. I cut the vines and the tree made a remarkable come back...

I've cut plenty of grapevines in my day just not very many lately till yesterday.

Did you look into any programs with the state? I'm thinking on forest stewardship program. The Warden said I believe, he has had for 2 years 80 acres enrolled in the program and has been paid 30K. I may be able to make a career out of doing habitat on my own ground after all.

G

 

[timer]

I've cut plenty of grapevines in my day just not very many lately till yesterday.

Did you look into any programs with the state? I'm thinking on forest stewardship program. The Warden said I believe, he has had for 2 years 80 acres enrolled in the program and has been paid 30K. I may be able to make a career out of doing habitat on my own ground after all.

G

I did back in the day, but the amount I got wasn't anywhere near that generous. I earned a small (less than $1000) amount of support to girdle/cut trees that had been marked by the State Forester. I had no idea there are programs out there that provide this level of support. I'll do a little exploring....

With work and the farms, I haven't had the time to work in my woodlands (about 75 acres) over the past ten years. The State Forester I had worked with retired and I just let this initiative move to the back burner.

Your story and pictures are very inspiring....

 

[Stone Branch]

I did back in the day, but the amount I got wasn't anywhere near that generous. I earned a small (less than $1000) amount of support to girdle/cut trees that had been marked by the State Forester. I had no idea there are programs out there that provide this level of support. I'll do a little exploring....

With work and the farms, I haven't had the time to work in my woodlands (about 75 acres) over the past ten years. The State Forester I had worked with retired and I just let this initiative move to the back burner.

Your story and pictures are very inspiring....

Thanks timer, $250/acre to cull and other funds can be piggybacked on those say for clearing invasives.

G

 

[Stone Branch]

2 years ago, I over wintered chestnuts in the fridge and they all succumb to mold. Last fall I found some frozen left overs and put them in dirt outside in the bottom of a white barrel.

The first sprout that I found

has shown good vigor

still sprouting.

G

 

[Lady Hunter]

Neat! I've tried overwintering various nuts/seeds in the frig & they've ALWAYS molded. I'll have to try your way the next time I get my hands on some I want to try to start!

 

[Stone Branch]

Neat! I've tried overwintering various nuts/seeds in the frig & they've ALWAYS molded. I'll have to try your way the next time I get my hands on some I want to try to start!

I kept the barrel covered but not sealed so that air would get in. I periodically watered lightly to keep some moisture in. A few rodents got in but died without doing any damage. I found the above pictured Folgers can with some chestnuts still in the freezer today. A bunch of weevil larva exited the nuts after I put them in the freezer. I'm soaking 7 nuts that passed the dunk test and will put them on soil.

I drive like a turtle on the two track this time of year.

found two of them today.

My gardens up top are looking good.

G

 

[Stone Branch]

While redecorating my kitchen yesterday, Tiny started yapping out behind the cabin, after a while I realized that he was alerting to danger. Not so dangerous actually, a gray rat. Rat snakes really liked my rat hole cabin.

This was the kitchen back in September 2018, after seeing it I couldn't get out of Kentucky fast enough.

I don't recommend open eves or felt board for exterior siding. What remained of the insulation had an r value of 0. Ring neck snakes were numerous mostly in the ceiling.

G

 

[Lady Hunter]

I was okay until you mentioned the ring necked snakes in the ceiling..... That's when I'd have gotten a can of kerosene and tossed a match!!!!!

(I'm sure glad you didn't choose that option because I've really enjoyed you sharing your journey.)

 

[Stone Branch]

I was okay until you mentioned the ring necked snakes in the ceiling..... That's when I'd have gotten a can of kerosene and tossed a match!!!!!

(I'm sure glad you didn't choose that option because I've really enjoyed you sharing your journey.)

The little ring neck snakes were/are the only things worth saving in the back end.

I started the day off by cleaning the kitchen.

There is a water feature flowing down the corner on the west side.

Fortunately, the water feature wasn't flowing down the logs. The bottom log will probably have to be replaced, rot on the ends.

One of the studs on the west wall pulled off with the felt insulation board. The west wall was framed with 2x2's with a combined R value of less than 2 where there was still some wood.

This will be the front porch side when I reconstruct the log cabin.

Today I'm back up in the attic pulling out the rest of the junk and insulation before pulling down the ceiling boards.

G

 

[120+]

Man you have your hands full there.