Safety First!

Last Saturday, Arington Tree Farm hosted a chainsaw safety course. The course, a program of Blackhawk Chapter of WWOA, was put on by Jim Olive, an instructor from Chainsaw Safety Specialists. 

ATF Goes on a Field Trip

We have all been putting in some long days on the tree farm this fall (including Saturday’s chainsaw safety course – more coming on that!), so today Joe took us on a “field trip.”

Ponds revealed!

As I mentioned last week, a pond project is underway at the farm. I'm working on removing willows to make the ponds accessible. They will eventually be surveyed and excavated.

To remove the willows from the site, I've been using the Bobcat with tree shear attachment. Above is an action photo of our tree shear. The shear will cut trees up to 14 inches. It has a grapple attachment that will hold the tree as we move it to either a brush pile or the chipper. This particular model is made by the company Tree Terminator. The shear does get somewhat challenging to use in tight areas. However, it worked great for this project, as this was all out in the open.

And here is a completed photo of both ponds with all the willows removed. The next step in this project will be to have a survey completed and than dig out the ponds to the appropriate size. 

Stay tuned!

Capturing the Season

This morning’s bright sunshine pulled me outside to capture the beautiful fall morning - despite the frigid 42 degrees on the thermometer! I bundled up with a jacket, hat and mittens before jumping on the buggy and cruising around the farm to document the turning of the season. 

Maple trees.

Badger Barn

A well-hidden pond

This photo shows the start of the project. Hidden inside that tangle of willow trees is a pond. I should mention that due to this years drought all of the ponds on Arington Tree farm are at low levels. This pond, along with a similar sized one right behind it, need to be surveyed. After the survey is complete we hope to be given a permit to have them excavated. Both of the ponds are in a wetland area where Mudd Creek used to flow. However before a permit can be issued or a survey completed the willows needed to be removed. 

Moving 'Fort Buck'

This isn't the way most of us would be required to handle a hunting stand. However this isn't your average hunting stand. On Arington Tree Farm we refer to this monster as Fort Buck.

Hot Hot Heat: Drought of Summer 2012

The Drought of 2012 left its mark on Arington Tree Farm, no question about it. The heavy heat and extremely dry conditions wreaked havoc on the grass, flowers, crops and trees growing throughout the farm.

The grass and perennial flowers will bounce back but the trees aren't as forgiving. The first 10 years of a tree's life are when it is most vulnerable - too much moisture, too little moisture or heavy wildlife browse can lead to its demise. Thus, the repeated hot, dry and windy days over the course of summer 2012 definitely took a toll. Depending on their age, location and soil conditions, some trees handled the heat better than others.

Oak seedlings planted by students on Arbor Day 2012. The oak on the left fell victim to the drought conditions.