I use descriptive titles for my management work that usually
suggest a more complex activity than is perceived by the casual observer. The typical passerby will identify my actions
as mowing along the fence. They don’t
see me inspecting the fence for physical damage, clipping invasive trees and
shrubs, picking up trash, searching for signs of invasive species infestations,
or doing any of the other management activities that I attach to the job of
mowing the fence line. I like to call this
my Perimeter Patrol.
DR Brush is the machine of choice for working up close to
obstacles. The DR is lighter and more
easily maneuvered than JR. It will
finesse its way around fence posts and caress fence wire without doing the
least bit of damage. DR Brush has no
trouble clipping off shrubs like these raspberries that grow almost directly
below the fence wire. The DR is also
slightly narrower than JR and can slip through some of the tight places between
trees and fence.
I make two passes along the fence. One pass would be sufficient, but the easiest
way back to the barn is the way I came out, so that gives me the two
passes. It’s just the road fence that
gets this extra attention. The road is a
prime source of unwanted things entering the property and I want to make sure
that anything threatening the field is identified before it can do too much
damage.
There’s always at least one fallen tree resting on the
fence. The trees between the fence and
the road aren’t large enough to do any real damage. They’re just a chore to deal with.
The area between fence and road contains the trees that fell
in past years. The remains of the
original field fence run right along the edge of the road. I’ve removed most of it so it wouldn’t be a
hazard to passing vehicles. I didn’t
think that was a very good location, so I built a new fence farther into the
field. There’s really no reason for
anything or anyone to be traveling in the area between road and fence, so I
think that’s a very good place for old trees to rest while decomposing.
I keep most trees away from the fence so the growing tree
doesn’t swallow the wire, but I have left several young oaks. It’ll be many years before the trunk diameter
increases enough to touch the fence.
Assuming I’m around when that happens, I’ll slip a board between the
fence and the tree. As the tree grows,
it will push against the board and force the fence wires away. Future fence managers won’t have to worry
about these oaks having fence wire trapped within their trunks.
I found an especially heavy load of litter along the fence
this year. I usually gather it up and
take it along with me as I mow, but my litter bag filled too quickly, so I had
to leave the trash to be picked up later.
Besides what was actually up against the fence, I could see a lot more
closer to the road. I’ll have to come
back soon with one of my big bags.
Litter just amazes me,on a windy day if a gum wrapper drop from my pocket,I run to get it. Remember the Native American with the tear falling from his eye?
ReplyDeleteHi Rick. I also chase down any scrap that gets away from me, even if I'm chasing through other people's litter to catch it. I remember seeing that anti-litter PSA when it was first on TV. I wondered then why anyone would have to be told that it was wrong to litter.
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