Trees and Chain Saws

Well, we have decided to plant more of our pastures in pine trees. To be able to do this, some of the big trees have to be cut. Glenn has been cutting most of them during the week, that way all I see is the result (which is trees laying on the ground). But this past Saturday, he decided he was going to cut the biggest tree while I was there. I cleaned our house until I thought all was clear but when I finished, the tree was still standing so out I went to help. This was the biggest tree that Glenn has ever cut. It had a huge trunk. He started by cutting his wedge in the front of the tree. The tree was so big, it dulled his saw about half way through and he had to stop to sharpen his saw two or three times. Once the wedge was cut, he moved to the back of the tree to cut around there. Nothing, the tree did not move, no sway, no nothing. Then he decided to use the tractor and give the tree a push. Imagine this, Glenn on the tractor up against this huge tree and pusing it with the tractor. The tree would go the way he would push but when he let off, it would sway back to him! Nerve wracking to say the least. That was not working so off he went to the store to buy a long rope. When he got back, he put a ladder against this huge tree (that is cut all the way around) then he climbed on it to throw the rope over the limb. While he was on the ladder, the wind picked up, you should have seen that tree sway. At one point, I had to yell at him to come off the ladder, I really thought the tree was coming down. But no, it stood there just as straight as ever. He got the rope around the limb and pulled the truck in front of the tree and then tied the rope on the truck. I was standing back (as far back as I could and still be in yelling distance) but it really looked if the tree fell it would fall right on the truck! Glenn started off in the truck and pulled the rope tight and the tree started towards him but still did not fall. At this point, he decided that he would need to cut some on the back of the tree but I would need to get into the truck (the truck that is in front of this tree that is cut) and when he yelled, I would need to pull forward slowly (are you kidding me). As I whined and whined while going towards this tree that if the tree fell on the truck and killed me, he would not be happy. Well into the truck I went after walking so slowly towards it, he thought that I would never make it. But lo and behold, after cutting just a short cut, the tree cracked and started down. With a huge boom, it was finally on the ground, after only 6 hours. Me, the truck and Glenn are all intact, no harm done. I think there is one more tree to cut and as soon as I hear which day he's cutting, I will have plans. Glenn and I went down this week and took a picture of the tree with Collin & Katie.