Think of it as a giant chainsaw with wheels

Remember the post I wrote about a month ago about how I was going to rid my pasture of juniper trees, 

even if it took the rest of my life? Referring to the little trees, I said, "Maybe by the time I'm done with those, 

I will have won the lottery and can afford to hire a lumberjack or twelve to come in and thin out the big ones."

Well guess who won the lottery. Sort of. The lumberjacks arrive today!

Let me back up. In September 2009, I heard that the area soil and water conservation district might someday get funding 

for locals like me to thin their acres of invasive juniper trees. I applied for the funding, a guy came out and counted my trees, 

and that was the last I heard of it. Then I wrote the post about trying to get rid of the trees myself. 

Then two weeks later the phone rings, and it's the guy who counted my trees 2-1/2 years ago, 

calling to tell me the funding finally came through. How cool is that? 

 

The lumberjacks dropped off their ax yesterday and will be here bright and early today to start chopping.

Think of it as a giant chainsaw with wheels, otherwise known as a "masticator." 

I'm told it sort of drives over the trees, spitting out variable-sized pieces in its wake..."which break down at different rates 

so as not to inundate the soil with nitrates. It is very good for grass yield as it spreads the chips very far as opposed to

an even layer of chips from a chipper." Whatever. All I know is my pasture is going to be freakin' awesome in a couple of years!

Smooch: H-y-d-r-o A-x. What does that spell, mom?

Me: Heaven on wheels.

The transporter and foreman (a.k.a. Lumberjacks #1 and #2) dropped off the machine late yesterday.

What's not to love about a machine that has a stump grinder and rotary ax? 

And I can't believe they left the keys in the ignition.

Sadly, I do not have enough feet with which to operate it. 

Makes me wonder if Lumberjack #3 is an octopus.

Me: Smooch, you're going to have to crack a smile if you hope to be the official spokesmodel for the Hydro Ax. 

So this week's posts are likely to be filled with pictures and videos of the Hydro Ax in action. (Dad, stop drooling.) 

Not the usual fare, but the most excitement that's happened around here in a long time.