Clearing Cedars, Draining Low Spots

I've been debating on knocking down some cedars near the four-wheeler shed for some time now.  I'd hesitated because they looked kind of nice, but deep down, I knew they had to go.

The problem with clearing is that knocking down the trees is relatively quick and easy.  Cleaning up the mess after is a lot tougher.

The usual process is to cut off the stumps and push them to the stump pile, take the center log to the log pile, then burn the top.  It's a lot of work, but after several years of experimentation, seems to be the way to go.

From 20015-10-31

This fall has been cool enough to give us nice leaf color.  This view is looking down a road I cut last year.  The fallen leaves on the road reminded me of the The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost.

From 20015-10-31

One thing I've trying to figure out is how to keep the water away from the new pole barn.  It's on high ground so it is fairly dry, but the drip lines above the doors still cause water to accumulate.  I've started cutting some small trenches to drain it.

From 20015-10-31

Once I feel pretty good about where the water wants to go, I'll put some french drains in and see if I can guide it towards a little water collection area down the road.

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It's a lot of work but it's a productive way to spend a rainy day.  Nothing like cutting the drainage in realtime.

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Where does the sweat begin and rain soaking end?

From 20015-10-31