Christmas Tree
Hunt 2007:
Above:
My 120 horspower Christmas Tree
Retriever (2005 Yamaha Vector)

Right:
An old logging chopping done in the
mid 1990's with Fir and Spruce
naturally regrowing...perfect for
Christmas Trees
Above:
The sun starts to dip in the western
sky as I step off my sled and head
into the woods, a location on the
Jackson/ Thorndike Maine town lines.
Right:
I was surprised by this guy, a
porcupine, that since they are
so slow moving, they are
harmless. At least to humans. I
later returned with a pistol and
dispatched this animal.
Right:
And this is the reason why.
Porcupines love to eat the soft
tips of Hemlocks and this tree
fall victim to him. They eat the
tips therefore killing the tree.
For this reason Porcupines can
be hunted 365 days a year here
in Maine.
Right:
Here is my Christmas tree. I
prefered it to be a bit smaller,
but this one had a nice
shape...not bad for a naturally
pruned tree. As it turned out,
this was a good tree to cut.
Right:
Here is why. As you can see in
the photo, the tree grew next to
a big Spruce tree for years. Fir
is a shade-tolerant tree. For
most of its life it was dwarfted
by the bigger tree hence the
reason for its tight growth rings
for the first half of its life, and
ellepitcal growth.

In the 1990's, the bigger tree
was harvested and this shade
tolerant tree started to grow fast
with more light and nutrients
available. Still age is age and
now this tree was starting to die
as can be seen from the rot
and insect damage.

This tree, while only 6 inches in
diameter, was over 60 years
old. Forestry wise, it was okay
to harvest as it never had a
chance in life.
Right:
As always, what has a great
shape in the woods, looks
diferent in the living room. Still
after lugging the tree out of the
woods and cutting it down in
two feet of snow, this tree will
be just fine as a Christmas
tree. Besides there is
something special about a tree
that you harvested from your
own land. A Tradition in this
family that dates back to the
French and Indian War.

Thanks for your interest in my
Christmas Tree Hunt of 2007.

Merry Christmas to You and
Yours!!