Rogues Gallery
Before and not-quite After
Click on a photo to zoom. Click on the “X” to get back.
Can you see the citrus trees in the BEFORE (left above)? Right above isn’t quite AFTER … it’s a work in progress. The citrus were sad and need some good care but aphids and butterflies like them. What you can’t tell from the pics: the grass is California Grass which has a main stalk that runs up to 30′, sending grass shoots up to the light. Since it’s gone wild due to neglect for years, it has formed a dense mat of interwoven stalks that is about 2-3 feet deep. The grass shoots up another 3 feet, making a 6′ tall “lawn.” It’s a LOT of work to cut through the mat and clear out an area. Our STIHL FS90 wacker does a pretty good job (at wearing down our bodies :).
We’d cleared a little in the left picture BEFORE, but there are only tree ferns, areca palms, ti plants, shampoo ginger and a few guava left now that we’ve removed the invasive African tulip trees, clidemia, strawberry guava and lots of inkberry trees. Much of the forest consists of very closely spaced, very tall small diameter invasive plants, all competing for sun on a north slope.
To help preserve the peace and quiet of our neighborhood, and as part of our effort toward sustainability, we clear most areas using a hand saw (Silky Sugowaza 420) that cuts like butter. We’ve downed 12″ diameter, 60′ tall trees with this saw, and built a few muscles in the process!
Can you see the citrus trees in the BEFORE (left above)? Right above isn’t quite AFTER … it’s a work in progress. The citrus were sad and need some good care but aphids and butterflies like them. What you can’t tell from the pics: the grass is California Grass which has a main stalk that runs up to 30′, sending grass shoots up to the light. Since it’s gone wild due to neglect for years, it has formed a dense mat of interwoven stalks that is about 2-3 feet deep. The grass shoots up another 3 feet, making a 6′ tall “lawn.” It’s a LOT of work to cut through the mat and clear out an area. Our STIHL FS90 wacker does a pretty good job (at wearing down our bodies :).
We’d cleared a little in the left picture BEFORE, but there are only tree ferns, areca palms, ti plants, shampoo ginger and a few guava left now that we’ve removed the invasive African tulip trees, clidemia, strawberry guava and lots of inkberry trees. Much of the forest consists of very closely spaced, very tall small diameter invasive plants, all competing for sun on a north slope.
To help preserve the peace and quiet of our neighborhood, and as part of our effort toward sustainability, we clear most areas using a hand saw (Silky Sugowaza 420) that cuts like butter. We’ve downed 12″ diameter, 60′ tall trees with this saw, and built a few muscles in the process!
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