I am loving living the slow life. This video captures a typical day for us, and what a wonderful day it was. We've known about this tree being dead for, admittedly, too long. I didn't realize it was as far gone as it was. My usual indicator of death is how much bark has fallen off the tree trunk. In this case, the bark was still there, but all but disconnected. The sawmill should arrive in the next week or two, so I'll be more diligent about taking beetle-infected trees down as soon as possible.
The walnut tree cleanup next to the driveway is coming to life. As we work our way further up the driveway, the bare dirt, once home to thriving Chinese privets and vines, is turning into a lush green of native grasses, weeds, and flowers that once lay dormant in the seed bank. We did throw some random beans and sunflower seeds near the first walnut tree just to get some roots started. It wasn't much, and we stopped when we noticed native grasses coming back on their own.
Further up the driveway, we worked on another section of the driveway berm that was created when the driveway was formed. This area is the most annoying and slowest progressing area. It's shaded most of the day, so it rarely dries out, and the space between the ditch and the larger trees doesn't allow much room to turn around with the tractor.
Homestead stuff:
American Green Lights, use code jaybates for 10% off https://americangreenlights.com/
Yard Glider (SO handy!) Use code jbates for 5% off https://yardglider.com/
Tractor/Off Road Lights: https://amzn.to/4bmBfHr
Bad Boy 4035H tractor
Kioti KG4066 grapple
W.R. Long 3rd Function
W.R. Long 3rd Function Continuous Flow
Piranha Bar
Universal Workmaster with D Rings https://www.jufabworks.com/products
Chainsaw earmuff helmet https://amzn.to/3XmPsif
PROYAMA chainsaws, 26cc top handle, 66cc big saw: https://amzn.to/4h0c7b0
Stihl MS250
Husqvarna Rancher 460 https://amzn.to/3AUq9v6
UTV mirror https://amzn.to/4dYHeCz
Measuring wheel https://amzn.to/3Z6cATw
Time-lapse cameras https://amzn.to/4cMR6hQ
LockNLube grease gun https://amzn.to/4g48UHR
7/32 chainsaw files https://amzn.to/3XoFFIs
#homestead
JK Boots: Hands down, without question, the best outdoor working boot that I have ever tried. They aren't cheap, and they aren't inexpensive. USE THE CODE jaybates TO GET 10% OFF! Affiliate link to the O.T. Bison - Canyon that I have:
https://www.jkboots.com/products/o-t-bison-rust-roughout-smooth?bg_ref=BwlWA71DVt
JK Boots Update 4/5/25:
My O.T.s are still great. Heavily worn and holding up great. Still my go-to work boot. I recently got a pair of the square-toe western boots (The Buck - Indigo | Chocolate) for days where I prefer the speed of getting in and out of the boots, or days where I'm mostly on hard surfaces all day, or running errands. Very comfortable right out of the box with zero break-in for me. THUMBS UP AGAIN.
https://www.jkboots.com/products/the-buck-navy-chocolate?bg_ref=BwlWA71DVt