The View and a Poll | Chickens in the Road

Oct
16

In odd moments, I’ll be standing in my house, glance out the window, and be struck by the view we have here, from inside the house as well as on the porch. It was worth it to build our house halfway up the hill (and not only because we’re safe when water attacks).

I posted this picture as the daily photo yesterday and I’m reposting it today because something’s starting to niggle away at me about this beautiful view. Just a little. Just sometimes.

And that something is that handful of trees right in the middle of our view of that gorgeous hill across the way.

Sometimes I even fantasize about what the view would be like if they weren’t there. How I could see so much more of the fall splendor painting across the peak now and how I could see so much more of the snow falling gently over its treetops soon……

(Photoshop Elements magic using the eraser tool and the clone stamp to, in my rudimentary way, more or less take out the trees. I was a bit too lazy to remove the tree trunks all the way down, but you get the idea.)

I could just fire up the chain saw and go crazy with those trees interfering with my view! It would even be fun! Or actually I could coerce someone else to do it because it wouldn’t be fun and I’m scared of chain saws.

I have a hard time with getting rid of any tree. I love trees. We are abundantly blessed with forty acres of them, however, so it’s not as if taking out half a dozen trees will leave us with a desert. They will be put to good use, either stored up for later for firewood or taken to a local sawmill (if any of the trunks are large enough) to cut up into planks to build our goat house.

What do you think? Which view do you like best? I need to know. I’m indecisive!

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10-16
1:16
am

I am too much of a tree hugger to vote for cutting the trees down. I voted “long live the trees” but I do understand where you are coming from.

laney

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10-16
2:14
am

Cut them down! From the first time you posted pics of your view, I couldn’t help but think it sure would be prettier without those scraggly trees in the way. On a farm, you use wood in tons of ways. They wouldn’t be wasted, and there are tons of trees left around the farm and all of WV. Go for it!

Patty

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10-16
2:16
am

It’s not like you’re just tossing the trees aside, you’re reusing them, so it’s okay. Get the view you want. After all this work, I suspect you’re going to live there a VERY long time.

Amy

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10-16
3:05
am

Leave the trees! The trees did nothing to you and they are just doing their thing. Why must you cut them down?

Actually, I don’t mind the view with the trees – they actually add a little variety. But not so sure if I’d like it after they grow bigger.

David

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10-16
3:40
am

I voted to cut the trees down. And then the instant that I did I remembered this: “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone”. So….I guess I’m undecided too! Sorry

Melissa

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10-16
4:44
am

Whack ‘em down and plant 6 more somewhere else.
Happy Thursday!

Snapper

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10-16
4:55
am

People who haven’t moved into a property tht has been let go for a while can never understand. Cleared land, farmland, that has been let go becomes scraggly and unkempt. We aren’t taking old growth forest here, this is scrub. Take it down. When I moved intomy upstate NY place, I personally took down 50 scrubs (and hired out a few larger trees). Eeryone moaned, but when they visited they couldn’t see the loss, I still had 12 acres of wood land, but now I had sun around my house and fewer spiders and house damage. You go ahead, take them down. You are lucky to be able to use the wood- I had to let my scrub rot down and feed the soil.

G

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10-16
5:10
am

Suzanne,
Before I vote it would be helpful to know if 52 does or doesn’t see the forest through the trees on this? My guess is he will be the one wielding the chainsaw. By the way, you forced me to drag out Webster’s this morning, niggle was news to me. Thanks.

Goat Roper

Goat Roper

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10-16
6:09
am

If you didn’t have so many trees already I would probably say let them live , but with so many to spare and that view just waiting to be adored, I say “down with their heads!”.

DeeBee

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10-16
6:38
am

Trees are recyclable. You won’t be wasting the wood and you will get a beautiful view. Go for it.

Betty

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10-16
6:47
am

I think the view is better without the trees, but be sure and plant a few somewhere else. Do you know what kind of trees they are?

Janet

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10-16
7:01
am

What if you just took the ones that are Dead center?
Then if that didn’t solve it take the others. I had my husband whack a tree down,actually 2 in different spots thinking that I wouldn’t miss them. Well I miss them.
ONE I really MIss.

But Yes the ones in the center really obstruct your view.
:flying:

wkf

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10-16
7:01
am

Have you considered just cutting part of them down? Or even just topping them? That way they’ll still shoot back up in the spring, but they’ll be short enough that they won’t affect your view?

But if I had to pick, I like the open view.

Kelleh

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10-16
7:01
am

I like the view better without the couple of trees in the way! Gorgeous view. By the way, when I went to vote…I was told I already had??! Strange.

Scherrie

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10-16
7:06
am

I voted to keep the trees. Try to look at the view from another angle. My trees provide me with beautiful events…birds & squirrels etc…If a tree is in my view, I just move my head one way or the other. :treehugger:

mim

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10-16
7:16
am

Yes, 52 would be the one wielding the chain saw. He thinks the trees should go.

Suzanne McMinn

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10-16
7:16
am

You’ll miss those trees in the summer, if you take them down!!!

Becky

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10-16
7:24
am

both views are nice, but I voted for save the trees. I hate the thought of killing any type of plants…except for weeds.

TeresaH

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10-16
7:28
am

The view would be better without the trees, but it is hard to cut down trees just to improve a view. I know you can put the cut down trees to use, but I am one of those people who find it difficult to destroy a healthy tree unless necessary.

Shari C

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10-16
7:34
am

I actually like the trees better where they are. Co-operating with the mountain. But then, that’s me.

Lucy

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10-16
7:48
am

It’ll be like you have your own little mountain to see when it snows. Does it snow down there really?

Sharon Elkins

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10-16
7:50
am

I voted to take them out. But, I feel the need to add that I would base my decision on what KIND of trees they are. If they are just “scrub trees” I’d take them out. But if they are oaks, I’d have a harder time taking them down because oaks are such slow-growing things.

On the other hand, it’s not like you’re lacking in trees ’round those parts!

Jenn

Flag this comment
10-16
7:57
am

I say take down the trees. We shouldn’t just throw away what God has given us, but it sounds like you are planning to put them to good use.

Teresa in nc

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10-16
8:21
am

I don’t know what all the trees are, but I don’t think any of them are oak. One is a wild cherry and one is a poplar.

And yes, it snows here a lot!

Suzanne McMinn

Flag this comment
10-16
8:26
am

I agree with G. We are working with that on our own property. We’ve been here a little over a year now, have seen the season’s change, and have marked the trees that we need to have removed to enhance our views. We won’t be wasting them, either. And, they aren’t even “good” trees! Second growth scrub messy things. We had an arborist out to look at one of our oaks, and he thinks it is well over 200 years old! Grandfather tree will benefit from his clearing away some of this stick tree mess from around him so he will have more room.

Kathryn

Flag this comment
10-16
8:28
am

I know you need a goat barn. To remove this handful of trees, put them to good use, and improve your view is smart land management.

Gizmo

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10-16
8:43
am

I’m something of a tree hugger, but I also think that property should be groomed for the good of the whole. The view is much nicer without those trees. And, honestly…when you really look at them. They’re kind of scraggly. They don’t look all that happy. You’ll be able to use the wood for something. Do it – and do it now so you can enjoy fully the rest of the fall color.

Suzette

Flag this comment
10-16
8:47
am

Nix the trees but use the wood. Then it becomes much more circle of life.

Molly

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10-16
8:49
am

OK I voted NOT to cut them down but I see the points listed here. You need sun and air on the farm and of course fewer spiders!!!! IF you can use the wood to build or sell – ok, but cut as few as needed. there is something about preserving nature, air and so on.

jane

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10-16
9:09
am

I say, leave it up. The view is definitely better, and there’s plenty of point to be made about scrub management. Mostly, though, it sounds to me like too much trouble for a view that will get grown over again, anyway.

Robin G.

Flag this comment
10-16
9:29
am

I think do a wee bit of thining. By thining your trees you make a better enviroment for your land.
As long as you don’t go all out chain saw them all down, and just thin those that need to be removed, it will look beautiful!
I am always lost when it comes to trees and thank godness my hubby has logged and knows what trees to keep and what to chop down. we just took out 10 trees this summer and wow it made things nicer and easy for the other trees to get sun etc. :mrgreen:

Erika

Flag this comment
10-16
9:35
am

I have to say long live the trees!! I think they are just as beautiful as the view!

Lorie

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10-16
9:40
am

Long live the trees!!!

Jill S.

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10-16
9:45
am

Getting up later than the rest of you, I have the advantage of reading the other opinions before commenting. Even though I used to hike and I love the woods, I voted to cut them – but like others here, I’d be very, very easy on the cutting – just the minimum that will help over all. Yes to both your idea of using the wood and that of planting some treelings elsewhere on the property (I know – ’tisn’t a word!) :catmeow:

Nancy in Atlanta

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10-16
10:02
am

Thinning out the “forest” is a good thing. Plus you can use the wood for good purposes, and you have a lot of trees there. I say go ahead and make good use of them!

Claudia W.

Flag this comment
10-16
10:49
am

Well, don’t you need FIREWOOD for the winter?

Melissa's Cozy Teacup

Flag this comment
10-16
10:51
am

We are dealing with the same question on our mountain top lot in Arkansas. The tree GO. Like someone said, you cannot imagine how many trees there are. There are plenty left for hugging. HA HA.

- Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife

Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

Flag this comment
10-16
10:55
am

I have an unobstructed view of a gorgeous mountain in southern Calhoun Co. so I have to vote for you to cut down the trees. The return is well worth the effort! :purr: And since the trees are a little on the scraggly side, I don’t think you’ll miss them much. If they were big, beautiful fiery red maples, then you’d have to leave them, but what’s there now doesn’t appear to be very impressive. Wonder if 52 would be willing to do a little tree trimming here too. At the top of my beautiful view is an old dead tree that sticks out like a sore thumb.

Kara S

Flag this comment
10-16
12:17
pm

yes, cut those trees down. reuse the wood for fences. i wanted those trees down the first time you showed that view. besides, it will give you more sunlight, and the younger trees close to the forest floor will benefit too.

margiesbooboo

Flag this comment
10-16
12:26
pm

Trees are a renewal resource just like carrots. I say take them down. Where you are, it would be a service to the surrounding vegation. I have little vegation and no forrest, so when I remove a tree, I replant elsewhere. But in your situation, I say get out the saw.

Gma Judy

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10-16
1:08
pm

The trees are beautiful but I assume you have other options for close-up tree viewing, so I vote for the vista. Sometimes we need to look at life close up and sometimes we need to go for the long view. Good luck with the chain saw!
Gloria Jean

Gloria Jean

Flag this comment
10-16
1:09
pm

I’ll just say for the record that be happy they’re not ugly scrappy nasty 40-foot tall juniper trees that are in your front lawn dropping berries and sap and duff and Husband says “no they’re trees, leave them”. AAAARGH.

HAVE VISION!!!!

Meadowlark

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10-16
1:34
pm

I like both views so I didn’t vote. There’s something natural and rugged about the trees, but the clear sky is lovely too.

Kathy In UT

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10-16
2:05
pm

Cut them down! You can always plant some more somewhere else if you feel the need. The view without them is framed perfectly. And you will be using them for your needs. Which is partly why they are here anyway.

Nancy

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10-16
2:15
pm

I vote for keeping the trees. We’ve only cut trees down that were dead or dying.

Maureen

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10-16
2:27
pm

We had the same problem! My dad loves using his chainsaw and took care of the trees lickity-split. Those trees kept us warm during the winter, too!

Susan

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10-16
3:08
pm

I didn’t think I was a tree hugger, however, after seeing them clear acres of trees around here, for stupid things like more mini strip malls, for nail parlors…it looks so bare …so now I am MORE of a tree hugger. It DRASTICALLY changed some views, for the worse.
I kind of like those little trees there…because they afford more privacy in SUMMER…and I think it gives the view a more natural look, verses constructed..but that is just ME…I voted no. LOL

Donna

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10-16
3:10
pm

I vote for keeping them. In the winter there won’t be leaves so I don’t think it really blocks the view. I love to see bare trees with snow or ice on them.

catslady

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10-16
3:13
pm

I can see both sides of the argument. A lovely view and wood to burn for the winter OR keep the trees. I guess I’ll change my vote to cut down the trees and reuse the wood either in lumber for the goat house or for the fireplace.
:cattail:

Jodie

Flag this comment
10-16
3:43
pm

As much as I love trees, I would have to say take them down.
The picture without them has a much nicer view.

Estella

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10-16
4:04
pm

Go for the goat house!

Christine

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10-16
4:08
pm

I already voted but after thinking it over go ahead & do away with the tree`s It will make u a fine view of the top of the hill , after all their r other tree`s & they will be growing up in no time just enjoy u`r place I can`t wait to ck in ever morning & see waht is going on I just love u`r site Barb

Barb Wilson

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10-16
4:42
pm

I’m a tree lover. I’d plant 10 or 15 in my backyard if I had the space, unfortunately I live in the suburbs. I voted for you to keep them. *G*

Brandy

Flag this comment
10-16
6:44
pm

I vote to leave the trees, it gives a three dimensional look to the view. A more natural look,rather than tailored.
I love trees in their natural state. And you can see the view through the bare branches in the winter. I think you’d really miss them if they were gone.

Phyllis

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10-16
7:02
pm

I say cut them down too. Especially the wild cherry if this is anywhere near where you might pasture your horse. Wild cherry is poisonous to horses when it is wilted, such as a broken branch after a storm.

Farm Girl

Flag this comment
10-16
7:53
pm

I voted yes, cut them down. They aren’t providing shade or shelter for the goats or chickens though, are they? If they are, then I would think hard about it first, and may lean to no.

Annie

Flag this comment
10-16
10:32
pm

You have an award over at my place! Drop in and get it when you get a chance. http://www.thepost-itplace.com

The Jillybean

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10-17
8:49
am

All I know is how great it is to have a woman talking about trees and real things when she mentions -the view- not a TV show. Refreshing!

Lynn Jones

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10-17
4:31
pm

HUGE treehugger here–gotta keep the trees!!!!

The Tile Lady-Marie

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10-19
7:55
am

No need to save ALL the trees.

Minna

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10-21
11:18
am

From what I see you have lots of trees so utilizing a few for firewood will not hurt the environment. Go chop some wood!

Carole @ Fowl Visions

Flag this comment
10-24
7:13
pm

I would only take out the scraggly trees in the middle of the picture on the left. They look like they have been damaged by that crazy ice storm we had a couple of years ago, and will never recover to their original beauty and health anyway. I also love tres and beautiful Fall views, go for it.

NOTE: West Central Beekeepers Association meets at the West Fork Community building near Arnoldsburg this coming Sunday, Oct. 26 at 2:30. We also meet on alternate months at the Roane County Library. If you would like to be notified, EM me and let me know. I send out prior notice each month. Beekeeping is a very interesting and much needed hobby or business. You can learn a lot about bees, pollination, trees and flowers. You are invited. Sounds like you would have the perfect location for such a hobby, and you could have your own homegrown honey supply in a couple of years for all those wonderful home baked pies. SC

Sharon

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5-24
3:35
pm

I can’t really tell from the pic, but the offending trees appear to be oak. Oak does not top well, but if they are Maple, or another tree that can be topped instead of removed that may be an option. Personally … if you intend to make use of the trees, I would cut them. The view is worth it aaaaaaand … more trees will grow up surprisinly fast if you decide you’d rather have the trees to look at.

4rum

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8-13
6:41
am

Did you ever remove the trees ???

Suzy

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8-13
6:46
am

Suzy, yes, we cut the trees down. You can see the new view in this post:

http://chickensintheroad.com/blog/2008/11/02/the-new-view/

Suzanne McMinn

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1-8
2:30
am

It depends, do you get a beautiful sunrise or sunset sky beyond the hill??

margie kruit

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1-8
2:35
am

Oh just thouroghly read the replys and not just the question…I thought the photo was edited to see what it would look like. It is pretty, glad you like it. But still do you get a pretty sunrise or sunset type sky beyond the hill-you should post a picture of that if so.

margie kruit

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3-26
4:58
pm

The surrounding trees will probably be better trees and appreciate the harvesting of those trees. Even woodlots need to be thinned…so with that in mind and considering the fact that you really would like the view…I vote…go for it…you’ll be doing the other trees a favor…

TXLady

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