Cedar Wars, Forest Canopy Release, New Rototiller, Podcasts, Etc

As mentioned in previous posts, I've been waging war on cedars because they host a fungus that is detrimental to apple trees.  Since I just planted a new orchard (and my old ones are somewhat distressed), I though that I had better address the situation.  So I have been uprooting cedars within a 500 yard radius using the Bobcat.  Then I drag them to the firepit, strip the branches, burn them when conditions permit, and keep the trunks for firepit wood.

The weather was good on Saturday and I got one batch done,  I got a second batch to the pit but it was too windy on Sunday,  It had rained overnight.

I took delivery of a tractor mounted rototiller.  My disk has been gradually self-destructing for years and I have heard that these gadgets are the "cat's meow".  There was a problem with the driveshaft (wouldn't telescope) so I'm waiting for a replacement before I can try it out.

I also got some spraying done.  A couple of the clover plots already have grass invading so I gave them an early dose of clethodium.

Early signs of spring are popping up.

This pear is the first fruit tree to bloom and it's just breaking out.

Chloe made 1/2 of the camera tour with me.  Not bad for a 13 year old.

I put the newest orchard in the highest and driest spot that I could find.  Imagine my surprise when I found it holding water on Sunday morning.

There have been several high wind events so there is always a need to clear trails.

I also worked on the areas that I discussed with Brad, our forester.  The objective is to open some of the forest canopy, let sunlight get to the ground which will stimulate the growth of forbs and cover that is beneficial for wildlife.

This first area is down the ridge trail. Basically, we picked clusters of soft maples in an oak stand and just clear cut that area.

It seems kind of a shame to just let the wood rot.  I may recover some firewood from it.  The next area was off the Charlie trail.

And the last area is below the driveway stand.  This one was a bit of a challenge due to grapevines but I didn't leave any hangers.

These red pricker vines are the wineberries.  I'll look forward to picking the raspberry-like fruit this summer.

The redbuds are just starting to show hints of flowers.

I'm always amused when I find deer fur in the barbed wire.  They have the ability to jump that wire with ease but they often decide to go under.

On a different subject, does anyone have any podcast recommendations?  When I'm walking for exercise or on a long drive, I often listed to podcasts.  Some of my regulars are Meateater Meateater Podcast and Mountain and Prairie Mountain and Prairie.  

I found Meateater after reading some of Steve Rinella's books (which I enjoyed). I consider this podcast to be the blue-collar hunting talk show but they sometimes venture into interesting topics with guest experts.   He's also getting commercial as he builds a hunting empire (books, podcasts, youtubes, tv show, mountain gear, boot endorsements, etc).

Mountain and Prairie might be a little more intellectual with focus on conservation and interviews with creative people from the mountain west (artists, authors, craftsmen, photographers, conservationists, sustainable farmers, etc).  The host is an avid reader and he always solicits book recommendations from his guests.  I've found this to be a good source of reading material - he publishes recommendations on his website.  I think he usually has interesting guests and topics.  I found him after reading some books on grizzlies and learned that he interviewed one of the authors (Bryce Andrews).

On Mountain and Prairie, I heard reference to a nonconventional hunting publication - Modern Huntsman Modern Huntsman Publication.  It's a six issue per year magazine that is more like a book ($35 per issue). I've got a trial subscription and have only seen one issue so far.  It's trying to support many of the "creatives" that I heard interviewed on Mountain and Prairie.  It has gorgeous photography and "deep-dive" articles on all kinds of outdoor/wilderness/conservation topics.  I'm not sure if I like it yet.  It's trying to be different that the typical "grip and grin", trophy-focused, hunting magazine.

From that connection, I stumbled on a podcast called Into The Wilderness Into The Wilderness.  The host, Byron Pace, is somehow involved with Modern Huntsmen.  I've only listened to one episode but, based on it, I think that I'm going to like it.  Seems similar to Mountain and Prairie.

Meanwhile, back at the farm, here's some photos from last week when Violet came on the camera tour.

We've got strutting!  It's about a month until turkey season opens.  I had this out the window today.  Turkeys at Birdfeeder

The usual predators - coyotes.

One hard to see visit by a bobcat.

Some of the more mundane visitors - skunk.

Coon.

Puppy?

And the deer who seem to be enjoying the greening clover.

The worst of the winter weather is over for them.

New Orchard, War on Cedars, Fish, Etc

For Christmas, my Mom and Dad got me some fruit trees and they shipped this week.  The weather was nice so I decided to get them in the ground ASAP.  For the first time, I rented an auger to use on the Bobcat for the planting.  It worked great.

I managed to get the trailer to the farm, attach the implement, and then get ten 2 foot holes drilled (all within about 30 minutes).

I had previously obtained some peat moss, fertilizer, fabric disks, and mulch.

I got them all planted and staked.

This is the layout of the new orchard.  I'm putting it here so that when I forget what varieties they are, I'll be able to find it here in the future.

Four kinds of apples, two peaches, two pears and two pie cherries.

While I was out working on the orchard, I met with our forester, Brad Wireman.  He advised me on opening up the forest canopy to get some sunlight to the ground in order to stimulate cover and forbs.  In this shot, he marked a perimeter where I am going to take out all the trees inside it. 

While he was there, I asked him about the cedar/apple fungus that I have been reading about.  We went over to a cedar tree in the field and he pointed out these galls that are due to that fungus.

I have been working to clear cedars in a radius from the orchard.  While Joan, Violet and I were riding around today, I looked up at this cedar that is 400 yards or more from the orchard.

Sure enough, there they were up there.  I have more work to do.

Here's some of the ones that I took out this weekend.  The Bobcat with the bucket is pretty good for uprooting them.

Then I put the forks on and drag them to the fire pit.  I've been saving the cedar trunks for firepit wood.

Also this week, we stopped at Jones Fish and picked up our annual forage stocking.

I got 5 lbs of fathead minnows and 3 lbs of shiners.  I also got a couple hybrid grass carp.

I hope that the bass and bluegills enjoy their sushi.

Meanwhile at the salamander pond, the eggs are pretty obvious now.

You can see the little tadpoles developing.

Over in the frog pond, I could see some salamanders suspending in the water. Video of salamander (in)action.  Salamander Suspended

And more eggs along the edge.  I saw small frogs jumping in - peepers?

Violet and I were out for a walk, came around the corner of the barn and found this possum at the bird feeders. Here's a video of the action. Violet Meets Possum

Violet scared it and it took refuge behind the A/C.

Eventually he came back out to feed and we watched him from inside.

It was pretty obvious that someone had taken a chunk out of his back - coyote, bobcat, hawk?

Violet was on full defensive alert.  Chloe napped.

From the cameras this week - turkeys.

Bobcat.

Fox.

Coyotes.

Coons.

The deer have been in the clover each evening.

Joan and Violet helped with the camera tour this week.

And the daffodils are starting to bloom by the pond stand.

Some have a ways to go yet.  Won't be long now.