Three sets of horse teeth, a chain saw, its handler and a methodical approach: that's what it's taking to clean up the cottonwood mess behind the barn.
At least two and one half trees from a small grove behind the barn crashed into the barnyard fence Tuesday night when those intense winds blew through the area.
The punishing gusts seemed a bit selective in their attack.
At our place, they went after the leaf trees, not only creating huge messes but also inflicting some fence damage.
Oh yeah, they liked my greenhouse too.
Just came in from removing some tall weeds from inside the structure. Morning seemed like the best time to do this, considering the abundant hornet population which lives inside the structure.
I sprayed the nests yesterday, but mad hornets were still circling overhead last evening.
Happily, they must have gone elsewhere for a night's sleep, so this morning I was able to work and remain unstung.
The cottonwood project will take a few more hours. Then, will come fence fixing.
In the meantime, three horses did their best to help Bill out with the treetops extending into the barnyard.
While he and his dog assistants tidied up the saw job on the west side of the fence, horses munched away at the leaves and limbs in the barnyard.
Bill said he heard from plant expert Harry Menser that cottonwood leaves are nutritious.
We did notice that maybe some leaves are more nutritious or maybe tastier than others. CB acted like he was on the buffet trail, sampling a bite here and a bite there.
During that discussion, we both considered the idea of substituting cottonwoods for hay. After all, they grow fast.
It's a thought, but probably a fleeting one at that.
Anyway, one step at a time, we're getting cleaned up from the storm which took just a few minutes to leave us with plenty of work.
Just this instant learned that our hay will probably be here by evening, so no shortage of work to be done in the next few days.
Ahh, life on the farm.
Never a dull moment!
Always unpredictable!
Never would choose any other lifestye!
Happily, the weather seems to be cooperating, at least right now.
Maybe, and, happily, by mid-week, all this will be a memory and the horses will not have to eat cottonwood leaves to survive the winter.
Happy Friday.
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