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A Mountain Hearth

Tales of Modern Homesteading and Outdoor Adventure

December 17, 2016

Family Tree Day Traditions

Family tree day is a tradition we have enjoyed every year since we moved onto this homestead. Up on the the hill behind our house, we have a small lot of replanted Douglas-fir and Grand fir. They’re planted pretty thick, and need to be thinned out, so we feel like taking one every year as our Solstice tree is at least a good start. One day we hope to really thin them out and build some kind of camping retreat shelter up there, but for now, it’s one tree at a time.
We had picked out most of the small ones already, so this time we looked for one that had a nice top we could cut off. We found just the right one in a clearing we wanted to open up more, and Corey got to work cutting it down.
Since we were topping a little bit taller tree, the job of sawing was a more work than usual. 

Everyone took a turn working at it.

Except my daughter. She took a lot of selfies with butterfly filters, because that is real life with the modern teenager.
When that final cut was made the tree crashed down with a bit more “oomph” than your average 6 ft tall tree from a farm. Like everything else on this homestead, our Solstice trees are wild.
Here we have the triumphant crew with our prize.
Family tree day is really a team effort.
As we headed down the hill with our tree, I thought of all the past years we’ve made that same trek. One year was in the snow, one year was with tools from our invasive plants clean-up, and the others blend together. That’s how traditions go. I’m so glad we have this one.

Filed Under: Home is Where the Hearth is, Life, Seasons

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Out here in Oregon, I enjoy the rough-hewn life of a modern homesteader and mountain woman, weaving the outdoors into the fabric of daily life. Whether tending this McKenzie River homestead hearth or a campfire in the backcountry, I find great enjoyment in the work of a sustainable life. Gather around as I share my tales of outdoor adventure, conservation, restoration, land stewardship, wildcrafting, handcrafting, growing food, and keeping chickens. It is my hope to share ideas and inspiration, and strengthen connections with the land and wild places. Read More…

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