On several occasions I have cut down the saplings and young trees that had grown in girth and height and ended up piling them up in a heap that remained neglected. This year I am taking a different approach. Rather than cutting them down, I am girdling them in place that will stop their growth and prepare them for firewood harvest as needed.

What is girdling? It is the practice of cutting off at the base of the tree the outer bark and sub layer called the cambium layer that supplies the nutrients and moisture to the tree that gives it life. By employing this method a tree can be selected generally for future firewood so that it can “season” in place, thus avoiding being piled up or left on the ground to rot or be compromised by bugs.

A selected tree can have the bark carefully removed by cutting two lines around the circumference several inches apart then the strip of bark in between wedged or pried off like a band. In my case, with so many small trees I used a Kukri knife to quickly cut strips away to separate the cambium layer off of the core as illustrated in the photo. In this manner I have arrested the growth of the trees on the wall and can harvest them at my leisure. At least this is my theory and I’ll be watching the results as the year passes.

So if you have land that is forested you can strategize your future crop of firewood or use this method to control emerging trees that grow in an inappropriate place.

 
I needed to pull the tree out from the surrounding foliage toward the landing area that I had planned. I began by tying a clove hitch secured with a half hitch around the trunk. Then I walked to a suitable sized tree in line with the landing zone to pull the tree over. I usually use a trucker’s hitch to cinch down but the rope was a braided rope that resisted the usual tie so instead I used an alpine knot for the loop that takes the place of a pulley to pass the rope’s end through.

 
There was enough flex in the tree so that I had to tie the loop farther out from the anchor tree to gain proper leverage. As I pulled the rope the tree tilted towards me but there came a point that I wasn’t strong enough to pull more so I walked mid way to the tree and began to lean on the rope. After several bounces and tugs the tree began to give way slowly and I was to bring the tree down right where I planned. I was delighted.

I tied onto the second tree and began to cut it. To my dismay it began to lean the opposite way and I stopped just in time. Fortunately I had a second rope so I attached it to the tree and anchored on axis to the direction of it’s errant leaning and pulled it back upright. Between the two ropes I was able to reverse it’s initial lean and felled it on top of the first tree!

Using a loop on a rope acts as a pulley and increases your leverage when using it to pull a load, in this case a tree. I used an alpine knot because it can be tied in-line and is easily untied later. If you think in terms of how pulleys work you can use a rope similarly and accomplish amazing feats when needed.

In the Spring, pine trees have new growth with upward growing tassels. The tassels contain pollen that will be released if tapped or shaken. To collect the pollen, place a bag over the blossoms before shaking the branch. The collected pollen can then be used like flour for baking or frying.

Pine needles are abundant all year long and can be used to make a tea rich in vitamin C. There is a caution about red pine because of it’s toxicity. White pine is preferred. You can tell the difference between the two: RED pine has 3 needles and WHITE pine has 5 needles; each needle group matches the number of letters of it’s name. You can chop up the needles and add them to water as you bring it to a boil to brew a tea. Warning – Pine needle tea can cause miscarriage for pregnant women.

Another year-round resource is the inner “cambium” bark layer that lies just beneath the outer bark. It can be collected off the tree trunk to be dried and ground into flour. I prefer thinner layers from young branches that can be eaten raw but can also be roasted or fried and eaten much like potato chips.

In the Fall, pine cones begin to release their seeds that we know as pine nuts. The yet unopened cones can be collected and when they dry will release the seeds. You have probably already eaten these in salads and as toppings on hummus.

So don’t forget the stalwart pine as a source of food in an emergency situation. Of course you don’t need an emergency in order to try these edible parts. In fact, by getting acquainted with them now will alleviate an experiential shock in a time of need. You may find some of them quite pleasant if not just a wonderful association with the great outdoors.

Before I bought the Hennessy Hammock I found that entering a conventional hammock could be an awkward task. I once rolled out the opposite side of my first hammock while trying to enter it and I landed on the ground and rolled a bit down the hillside.

My son taught me a new entry technique for a conventional hammock that he learned from a friend on how to enter a high-mounted hammock from below. To execute the entry, approach the hammock from below and extend your arms forward with your thumbs turned down and your palms facing outward, then grab the outer edges with each hand and roll your hands inward while creating a fist. This creates a trough with the fabric on each side. Then place your elbows in each trough. Next, lean your head back to face the fabric and lift/swing your legs up into each trough and immediately arch your body upward. The hammock will automatically roll upright. You will be lying in your hammock in a prone position facing down. You can reposition yourself into a supine position lying face-up which most folks prefer.

It only takes a few tries to master this technique but until you do, I suggest that you practice it over soft or padded ground in the event that you fall out before completing the roll. I haven’t learned the name for this maneuver but I call it the “inverse roll-up entry”. If you have heard a common name for this please let me know in the comments section below. Click HERE to view a video that demonstrates this technique.