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| 09/03/2014 |
It has taken a long time to get this particular project off the ground as it were, although we have wanted to do so for a long time. We have realised that the woods on the "cliff edge" above the little house we know as simply "Ropion" were far too close for comfort and were likely to fall on the roof of the house in a storm. So we arranged to start from the field above giving access to the tractor necessary to pull the trees with rope and cable in the right direction when felled.
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| 13/03/2014 |
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| 15/03/2014 |
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| 15/03/2014 |
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| 29/03/2014 |
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| 30/03/2014 |
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| 30/03/2014 |
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| 07/04/2014 |
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| 07/04/2014 |
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| 07/04/2014 |
As you can see the process started finally in early March this year, the weather was just too wet to attempt it before. There have been a number of small landslides from the hill slope above in the past and we wanted to avoid more happening when dead trees, or trees simply too close to the edge fell. It's going to be a big change, but for the better in the long run and in the short term we have temporarily had to take down two sections of fence to allow access for the tractor and to avoid damage.
You can immediately see the change in the view from above Ropion and how much clearer it is around the building. We can now see over to the hills in the distance near Oyre.
We were a bit worried about the last few big oaks which had to be felled and these were both "guided" with ropes from the tractor to help the direction of felling. As you can imagine there was a mighty crash as each of these two trees (each weighing several tonnes) hit the ground. But all was well, with the last one being a bit awkward to fell just slightly brushing one roof tile as it fell.
Both trees down on the ground by the slope waiting to be tidied up in due course, but not really in the way. All the stumps have been left in the ground to help consolidate the higher ground.
Here you can see the (nearly) final result which gives us a much clearer space around the house and fewer fears for future storm damage. Also, the increased sunlight should help to reduce the future build up of moss and lichen on the roof which has been causing problems with rainwater run-off. Finally we will also in due course have an improved access to the track and the woods for future works in the woods once we add a gate to the re-erected fence in due course. A satisfying result as well as a bit of firewood ready for future winters!
