Tree Farmer - March/April 2008 - (Page 26)

Harvest By The Last Easley tools & techniques 26 The last harvest — wow! That sounds so, well, final! Like the end of the story! For us Tree Farmers, just thinking about a last harvest can be scary! My attitude has been: This is who I am. This is what I do. My self-worth and life’s value is all tied up in forestry and the hardwood that I produce and market. PAUL To change course, to re-direct the energy and my attitude, has taken some real planning. If you are lucky enough to live a long life, you will eventually be considering that scary thing called “retirement.” Now, anyone who knows me would know that word will never fit in these shoes. However, I do believe that you will get delivered to that point in your life exactly when you’re supposed to be there. For you young guys — it’s an age thing. You can only understand after you get there. The change didn’t happen overnight. It was a slow process. First, it was a bit uncomfortable working outside in the cold of winter and the heat of summer. Then I started noticing how much my fingertips hurt while cutting logs and firewood in the winter. In the back of my mind was a band playing, “Hey dude, ya got enough to live on the rest of your life, what the heck are you thinking?” What I was thinking was who is going to do all of this? Who is going to take care of the Tree Farm and carry on as The 1990 Illinois Tree Farmers of theYear Paul and Kathy Easley own and manage Oak Leaf Wood ‘n’ Supplies, 210 N. Main St., Moweaqua, IL 62550; . Kathy’s well laid-out hardwood carpet. Tree Farmer MARCH/APRIL 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Tree Farmer - March/April 2008

Tree Farmer - March/April 2008
Contents
Cover Story
Timber Talk
Ties to the Land
Habitat: Assess Suitability and Management
2007 North Central Regional Tree Farmer of the Year
Tools & Techniques
Wildlife Matters
Sharing Your Experience

Tree Farmer - March/April 2008