Timber!

Hemlocks are the dandelions of the conifer world. They grow swiftly, like weeds, and they have the goal of taking over the world. The forest which comprises seventy-five percent of our property is more than fifty percent hemlocks.

Hemlocks are soft wood, so they can grow faster than hardwoods, but therefore a mean wind storm or lightning strike can rip one of these bad boys in half. Because eleven hemlocks had reached a height of seventy or more feet right next to our home, our roof and second story were in danger. So we called in a pro to do some tree felling. Here he is (with no top rope!) scaling our trees to prepare them for their downfall.
The hemlocks devoured the north side of our house with shade, so the difference in their absence is stunning.

What's more, hemlock needles, like all conifer needles, are acidic. Years of hemlock needles falling on the ground burns the soil and inhibits other plants from growing (part of their scheme for world domination).

Not to mention what year after year of needles do to roofs and gutters.

I had thought hemlock was junk timber, good for nothing but bonfires and battering rams.

It turns out that for barns, garages, and of course treehouses, hemlock lumber can serve quite well.

So of these ten hemlocks (and one white pine) that just came down:

About half are going to become treehouse . . .

The tree guy brings over his portable mill on May 15th. Stay tuned!

~emrys