Item 1: The city is cementing the coulee (stream) next to my shop. My Wild American Plum tree was within the work right-of-way, so it was felled (along with 7 oak trees), yesterday. I called Ralph, a friend and member of Acadiana Turners Guild, for the free plum wood. He was more than happy to come get the trunk and root ball. Though I have a lathe, I am not a proficient turner, at all. Ralph can do justice to the wood.
Item 2: I unloaded some lily bulbs on him, also.... He said, not only is his wife is a avid flower gardener and would appreciate having them, but he'd be adding to his points total, as well. ^5 Ralph!
Token: I cut a 12" long, 12" diameter section of oak log, for a shop chopping block. My old block has seen better days.
And the "not so hospitable" side of things: There were a number of squirrel nests in the oaks. Squirrels aren't a pest, for me. This morning, the workers weren't here, so there was a respite from the construction noise. I think the parent squirrels were out looking for their young ones. They seemed confused by the pile of logs/limbs, heaped on one another. I sensed they were able to distinguish familiar smells among the ruins, as they paused on the logs/limbs, now and then, and sniffed around.
That's a lot of shade to have disappeared so quickly, too, especially for here in south Louisiana.
Sonny