Firewood

One of the reasons we wanted to move to this property in New Hampshire was to have our own woodlot.  Because we heat the buildings with wood, providing firewood for ourselves was an important step towards becoming more self-sufficient.  Since we moved mid-year, we didn't have the time to put up our own firewood, let alone get it seasoned, so this winter's supply came from our wonderful neighbor and friend, Jim D.  (He's the one who built all the ramps on the house for the dogs.) 

At the moment we are working our way through 12 cords of wood from Jim's adjacent property.  A cord is a stack of cut logs four feet high, four feet deep and eight feet wide (1.2 m x 1.2 m x 2.4 m).  We're realizing it probably isn't going to be enough!

Thanksgiving weekend was our first chance to get out and start bringing in our own trees, so Alayne and I scouted around looking for recently downed timber that we could reach with the tractor.  I do not yet have the skills or knowledge to bring down trees with a chainsaw -- we have a lot to learn in that respect, and for the bigger stuff we'll hire someone to take them down for us -- but for the moment there are a lot of trees already on the ground that just need to be hauled out so we can cut them up. 

Part of this property was logged in the year before we bought it, and much of that ground we've now had cleared and seeded for additional pasture, but there's plenty of timber left on the ground that will be excellent firewood.  Our goal this first winter is to get as much of that out as we can.  What we can't reach with our tractor Jim will help us get with his skidder, a piece of logging equipment designed for this purpose.

We have a huge amount of timber still standing and growing all over the property ... acres and acres of woods, and thick stands in need of thinning, too.  But we'd like to use as much of the downed timber as we can while it's still good for firewood (i.e., before it begins rotting on the forest floor).

Alayne took these shots on Sunday afternoon while we were pulling a tree out.  This is one of several we got over the weekend.  In this shot I'm attaching a chain from the tree to the backhoe on the tractor:

As I get in the tractor, I'm double-checking the angle that I will need to drag the tree through to keep it from getting hung up on other downed trees and brush: 

I've started to pull forward very slowly, gradually increasing the tension on the chain:

You can see how tight that chain is now:

And down the lane we go:

This lane runs north-south, and is about 100 yards west of the buildings.  I'm driving the tractor north, towards the road we live on.  The lane ends where the newly cleared pasture begins to the south.

It was a modest haul this weekend, but it felt really good to finally start bringing in our own wood!

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Still 2nd place -- but it's close!  Contest ends December 19th.

Please keep voting for the sanctuary in the Shelter Challenge -- the votes are adding up!  And remember, you can vote every day, so consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.

You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.

Please note:  Use Rolling Dog Ranch for our name and NH for the state and our listing will come up.

 It was thanks to all of your amazing votes that we won the $20,000 Grand Prize in the final Shelter Challenge of 2009, and we came in fourth nationwide in the first Shelter Challenge earlier this year, winning $3,000.  So this is serious money and can really make a difference for our disabled animals!  Please help us win this round of the contest by voting every day, and by encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to vote every day, too.  Thank you!

Comments

[Lisa in CA]

You guys must sleep soundly at night!

[Shirley * James/Portland, OR]

It continues to boggle our minds all the work that goes into running the sanctuary--no rest for the weary!!

[Kelly]

Good Lord, the things you guys do....It makes me tired just looking at you, and I'm an active person!

[Moon Rani]

Now that I know how you and Alayne spend your free time, I'm glad I don't live close enough to be invited to a firewood-collecting party. But I really enjoyed seeing these pretty pictures (probably because I never tire of watching other people work).

[Anne in Florida]

Have you noticed any wildlife on this RDR?? I remember you had a fox or two at MT RDR and of course little AnneAndrew the barn skunk. Any such luck here in NH with outside critters saying their 'hello's? I would almost be surprised if you didn't at least have some deer .

[Anne in Florida]

I am glad to see you taking the fallen wood first. Will you turn the acreage you eventually clear into more pasture or replant trees to renew the stand of timber for future years? Just curious what individuals do with their lots. (hope I'm not too nosy). You always took such good care of your land in MT that I know you will be as concientious with this land too. I voted on 3 computers here at work today and will do so on the home computer later too. Stay warm. Anne

[Margaret]

Look at you! And I can say "I knew you when". This looks VERY different from the corporate world at an airplane manufacturer! Stay warm. It's obviously a lot of working keeping the whole gang warm.

[Jessica, NL]

That looks like fun! If a bit chilly ;-)

[Joseph Sackett]

For the past six years I've heated with wood and have needed a maximum of six cords per year to keep a 2000 sq ft house comfortable.
I hope this info helps!

Joe
Whitefield N.H.

[Ann]

PLEASE KEEP VOTING, TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW...THIRD PLACE HAS JUST ABOUT CAUGHT UP!! If you have more than one browser please vote using each one!

You sure do have a wonderful neighbor in Jim, it's great to know you have friends that are ready and willing to help out. You said that the buildings are heated with wood...does that mean that you don't have any other heating such as gas or electric? I don't know much about this stuff :)

And you did an A+ job getting that wood out!

[Cathy Silvestro]

The setting looks very beautiful and rustic. What a perfect way to spend Thanksgiving weekend. Outdoors, nature, fresh air. Doesn't get any better than that! And kudos to Jim for all the aid and support he's provided to the Ranch.

[Glenda]

Wow...that is quite a job, you two have on your hands!
Will you also be using a log splitter? (it's been a while since I used one...I don't know what technology has come up with since I helped my parents with theirs.)
It's sure beautiful there. Hopefully you weren't too sore afterward!

[Linda]

Hooray for great neighbors! Can't help but wonder what Jim D. thought when "RDR Pet Sanctuary" was moving in next door. How wonderful that he's so willing to help out the way he does. Thanks, Jim!

The property is just beautiful. Sounds like all RDR residents - 2 and 4 legged - are enjoying the new digs.