The Path(s)

I have mentioned on different occasions that we are going to redo the trails that went back to the pond. Well these pictures will give you a little idea of what we are up against.

This is part of the lower path. The "leaning tree" has to come down, even tho it is well anchored at the top. All of these types of trees are considered "widow makers" in my books. Trees either stand vertical, or they are on the ground.  You can see the tractor tracks, the first layer of brush has already been removed so we can at least walk on the path.

After about 6 passes with the landscape rake the path is pretty well cleaned of brush and buckthorn.

The landscape rake on the tractor can rip out buckthorn roots on buckthorn up to about 3 inches in diameter. It's nice to rip them out by the roots, then they are gone. If the roots are too big, I just rip them loose and use the rake to pull them the rest of the way out. I hate just cutting them off, because you have the stub of the buckthorn still showing and easy to trip on. Plus, they will grow back.

This shows a portion of the completed path. The path will be about 6 feet wide in most places. If there are big standing trees, the path will be narrow, or we might just go around the other side of the tree.  Yes, I/we have a new tractor. That will be a blog all by itself. Without it, this job would never have been started. 

Just a couple pictures to show some of the "stuff" that has to be cleared. I'm sure there are many of you that are thinking "why are they doing all that work!" Well, we both know what it use to be like and the enjoyment that we had walking the paths. Besides, it is good exercise and we are out in the woods and it really is quite relaxing. The deer/turkeys will like the cleared paths too.