Yesterday was my first day off from work since moving in my new house. I have several
trees that are a hazard that need to come down. The two that were the most concern were two diseased rock maples less than 8
feed from the house. I was harmlessly tracing out all the plumbing to ensure I had found and repaired all the leaks when I heard a truck outside.
The power line clearing crew was pulling up ready to trim the trees. I told them I was the new owner and how hard would it be to get them cut down instead of just trimmed. Within 30 seconds I had permission slip signed. Within 24 hours, I had 5 10 foot long by 8 inch diameter logs for my raised beds. 3 yards of chipped up maple limbs including leaves. 2 cords of fire
wood and the promise of more wood chips dumped over the next few days.
I have a holly tree on the side of the house I need out as well as a spruce that is near my leach field but they were no close
enough to the power lines to get out for free. The clearing crew discussed my ideas of planting Aronia, Buffalo berries and RUgosa roses under the power lines and they said in no way would that be a problem since the highest the shrubs would grow would be below the level they are concerned with.
I am going to plant some shade living vegetables under the holly tree this weekend and the wood chips are going to use with
cardboard to make my sheet
compost.
Total cost to me was three cups of Dominican shade grown
coffee.
) Nice way to start a weekend! 
