What has eight wheel traction, sonar, intelligence and moves trees
for a living? Would you believe it is my logging team made up of
my belgian mule, Pat and my belgian horse, Rosie. Their job in the
wintertime is to help harvest the trees along the lakeshore that
I cut for delivery to sawmills. Through working with them and marketing
the trees they haul, I have gained a whole new appreciation for
the creatures I work with and the forests we work in.
We cut many kinds of trees.
Primarily I take care of woodlots by removing a percentage of the
mature and diseased trees to allow for better growth and greater
value in the future. Along the lakeshore the most common and valuable
hardwood trees are cherry, oak and sugar maple. These hardwoods
are used primarily for furniture, cabinets and veneers. Some of
the less valuable species like beech sassaphras, silver maple and
poplar are used for decking and pallets. We also harvest red, white,
and scotch pine which is used for fence posts, fencing, and rustic
furniture. Though we have done some sawing of the logs into boards,
we now only harvest the logs and sell them to large sawmills. There
they are turned into useful products more efficiently.
I use my horses and mules
for more activities than just the "fun" of sleigh rides,
wagon rides and pulling weights. They are an efficient and environmentally
friendly way to harvest trees. Certainly, they are no match for
the "monster" logging machines for production, however,
they do much less residual damage to the ecosytem of the forest.
The animals themselves are amazingly intelligent creatures that
avoid dangerous situations, work with voice commands, and desire
to work as a team with a human. In fact there are few more awesome
experiences than to control 4,000 pounds of horse scratching for
traction in determination to pull a huge log no matter how difficult
it is. Though man has bred these animals with the desire to work
hard and please man, God has created them with that innate desire
to subject themselves in the service of man. Certainly, their behavior
is and example of the fact that God created the world with man as
the head of creation. It is obvious to anyone who works them that
they are happiest when they are being put to work and feel "useful".
In fact, it is interesting that the same is true of us.We are happiest
when we are productive in work and in the church.
The trees themselves are
a wonderful example of a renewable resource. My whole perspective
has changed regarding trees. I used to think of them as a kind of
permanent part of the landscape. Now that I am harvesting them,
I look at them more as a crop like corn or beans. The difference
is that the trees are grown in 30 to 50 year cycles rather than
the seasonal cycle of annual crops. We can "husband" them
as a gift from our heavenly Father. By that means, He provides us
with building materials and energy to take care of us in the world.
What a wise and wonderful
creator we serve. He has not only given us the trees for our earthly
wellbeing and care, but, He has also given us creatures like my
logging team to work with us. How sad it is that many use the creation
for sin and curse the God who made them and provides for their physical
needs. May we be thankful everyday for His provision endeavoring
to serve Him through repentence and a godly life. May His name be
praised.
Daily Praise
Daily praise the earth proclaims,
Different voices, the sound
the same.
The heav'ns high above
the earth
Shout their Makers wondrous
worth.
The earth's sea with life abounds.
Thund'ring waters His praise
sounds.
The storms show His mighty
hand.
Floods destroy at His command.
Mighty oaks their black arms raise.
In homage they bring Him
praise.
The maple paints brilliant
hues.
Their beauty shows us the
news.
The great horse with strength doth toil
Humbly helping work the
soil.
Their patient strength
a lesson
In work, by faith, to press
on.
The dog waits his lord to see.
A companion and friend
to be.
O that we so gentle be
To those in need that we
see.
Come, ye saints, His praises sing.
To the hills let your songs
ring.
Praise Him for His gift
of love.
Bless Him in the heavens
above.
