Timber!

The property belonging to our neighbours across the way borders on the right bank of the Waikanae River, with a long row of extremely tall pines growing along a vertical erosion cliff. Having been planted many years ago, and now in 2014 the trees are clinging to the top edges of the sheer precipice, presenting a possible danger to people, property and the bridge over Kents Road.

I cannot even imagine the cost of felling and removing these giants, but I understand that the lumberjack will do all the work, the cutting and removal of the timber (for sale as firewood), and you may even get some change or firewood out of the deal.

The guy appointed, Richard, will be busy for three to four months. Here are some pics of his activities:

Richard’s office. A beautiful sylvan setting, but running a heavy chain-saw man-alone all day cannot be that much fun!

The “biscuits” (round wheelie sections of tree trunk) are further sliced and diced into fire-place sized pieces and loaded onto the back of the truck by conveyor. Who handles this department? Yes, you guessed – Richard – the fellow in the red overall.

A lumberjack’s (in this case, lumberdick’s) work is never done

Slicing the trunk into biscuits. What a mouthful…

Al la Biscuits! Ready for slicing and dicing into manageable firewood.

He’s a Lumberjack!

He's a lumberjack, and he's okay,
He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I cut down trees, I eat my lunch,
I go to the lava-try.
On Wednesdays I go shoppin'
And have buttered scones for tea.

I cut down trees, I skip and jump,
I like to press wild flowers.
I put on women's clothing,
And hang around in bars.

A drawback of having a street-facing property bordered by tall pine trees is that the maintenance of the trees and the safety of passing motorists and pedestrians become your responsibility. Thus, yesterday afternoon, Bianca, Clayton and Tyler together with chainsaw, handsaw, secateurs and long-handled lopper, went down to the southern end of the grounds to attend to some of the overhanging branches and unruly overgrowth along the fence. I remained in the safety of the inside of the paddock and grabbled whatever was sawn off property-side.

It was only after the weary troops were returning to base camp to clean the cutting edges and to nurse the overheated chainsaw that I realised that the camera had not been present. It was therefore after the event that I took these photos.

Brynn had been building a castle with the fir branches and had incarcerated Bennie in the Tower of pines. Obedient Bennie seemed quite happy with the doll-house episode and snoozed without protest.

Along the inner fence, where once was a wilderness of overgrowth, I can see clearly now…

No longer will we run the risk of having our eyes poked out by stuff sticking out of the trunks. Thanks to Bianca, Clayton and Tyler. Not necessarily in that order.