HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Wishing you a warm and happy holiday... from our family to yours.

FIRST DECEMBER SNOW

REDWOODS

1940's/50's vintage photo - Northern California

RIKI EARNS EJHL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

With the 14th Annual Warrior Classic set to begin on Friday, the host Valley Jr Warriors Junior A team is enjoying its recent winning ways. The squad is coming off a weekend sweep of CD Selects which saw one its standout players - Riki Retelle - earn recognition from the Eastern Junior Hockey League. Retelle, who exploded for two goals and two assists to spearhead his team to a 5-3 win over the CD Selects on Sunday, was named the EJHL Defensive Player of the Week. Through two games, Retelle had a plus/minus rating of +2, was a leader on the power play and notched the game winner at the 3:55 mark of the third period.

Check it out here. Way to go Riki!

SHE'S A BEAUTY

Big day today at Retelle Tree... the old Western Star made it to New York and the new log truck is finally ready and in the yard. Of course we had to toast her arrival with a little champagne.

Sam's thrilled!

BEAVER DAMAGE AT BAKER'S MEADOW

On what may be one of our last walks around Baker's this year we came across several tall oak trees that had been attacked by beavers. It's incredible how much damage they can do to what are pretty massive trees.

HAGGETT'S POND

Here are some recent fall foliage pics from a walk around Haggett's Pond with Sampson and Morgan...

HEVEA TREES

Did you know that the rubber-like sap produced by Hevea trees is the world's primary source for latex production? Read more here.

BACK WHEN WE WERE PUMPKIN FARMERS...

Pete with a mighty crop

FALL LEAVES

EARLY MORNING CREW SHOT

Mike, 'Teddy', and Riki

A FIELD TRIP FOR SAM

On a recent trip to New York (where the new log truck is being outfitted with a new loader) Sampson got to meet some big competition when it comes to size - four very large clydesdales.

PROFILE :: MORNING GLORIES

We have beautiful, purple morning glories covering a fence at our house right now. The buds curl up and close during the evening and night...

And then open up again in the morning (and throughout the day).

Morning glories are perfect vines for fences and walls as they are low maintenance (lots of sun, little water). They are available in both annual and perennial varieties (generally depending on climate). If you have perennials, just cut the dead vines away after the first frost and they will grow again beautifully the following year.

FEMA JOB IN MONTEREY, MA

If you were looking for Pete earlier this week you would have found him high up in the trees in the western part of the state - helping clean up last winter's ice storm.

image via town of Monterey

AROUND THE FARM

Wishing this beautiful late summer weather could last forever!

HAPPY LABOR DAY

We're taking some time off from the farm this weekend...

to sit poolside...

be lazy at the beach...

and to enjoy a few more summer dinners outside.

Have a very happy Labor Day weekend!

images via 1. msl 2. elle decor 3. coastal living 4. house beautiful

OUTDOOR DESIGN INSPIRATION

We love this backyard pergola. Covered in beautiful wisteria plants, it looks like the perfect place to enjoy the transition from summer to fall.

image via house & home

SUMMER ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD

vineyard haven harbor

aquinnah

oak bluffs

chilmark

state beach

edgartown

images via lindsey retelle

EQUIPMENT NEWS

Our 2+ month search for a 'new' log truck finally came to a successful close today after another scouting trip to upstate Vermont. We're looking forward to adding her to the fleet this fall.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM!

Tom Brady turned 32 today and his teammates took advantage by surprising him with a face full of birthday cake during practice.

image from the boston globe

"MIGHTY MICROBURST"

Sunday evening brought a brief, but powerful storm called a 'microburst' to parts of West Andover and Lawrence. Several large trees were harmed, including an old red oak tree belonging to a customer of ours. In an interview with the Eagle Tribune she explained that "she was waiting for a determination from Peter Retelle of Retelle Tree Co. in Andover on whether the old oak could be saved." Unfortunately the structure of the tree was damaged beyond repair and it had to be taken down. You can read the full article, and learn more about microburst storms, here.

image of a microburst storm that took place in Alabama

WILL BARCODING TREES SAVE THE RAINFOREST?

In tropical forests around the world a company called Helveta is attaching plastic barcoads to logs in an effort to monitor sustainable forestry efforts. For more information, and to view videos on Helveta and why illegal logging hurts the environment, click here.

WARM WEATHER WATERING

As the weather heats up it can be increasingly frustrating knowing how much to water your garden and lawn. Not enough water and your grass will get scorched. Too much water and you're being wasteful. The Eagle Tribune's Lawn & Garden section has some helpful tips for maintaing your garden this summer, while keeping in mind the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards for water use.

• water during the coolest part of the day
• don't be wasteful (position sprinklers away from concrete, etc.)
• mulch around trees and shrubs (mulch retains moisture!)
• water each plant differently (some plants require more -or less- than others)

To view the full article, click here. Image via flickr.

HAPPY JULY

It's finally starting to feel like summer in the Northeast. We hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

image via flickr

DID YOU KNOW...

That you can repurpose old banana peels to fertilize your roses? Just flatten the peel and bury it one inch under ground, beneath your rose bushes. The potassium from the peel will feed the plant and help it fight against disease.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Nancy Reilly of Concord, MA, has taken what we think is a very creative approach to sustainable design. She created a company named Entangled, which removes invasive vines/plants (as permitted by local officials) and turns them into one of a kind pieces of furniture, thereby saving the tree underneath. Check out the full article here.

image of an invasive Oriental Bittersweet vine choking a tree

DID YOU KNOW...

That the traditional seeds you buy for your garden are likely to have been contaminated with chemicals/pesticides prior to sale? When choosing seeds, green-living supporters suggest choosing organic or heirloom types. For a list of online retailers, check out National Geographic's Green Living guide.

image via flickr

PROFILE: RANUNCULUS

Ranunculus flowers have thin, delicate petals and grow in a beautiful assortment of colors. They make great container plants and are long-lasting as cut flowers as well.

image via shelter

A MODERN LOG CABIN

more info here

DID YOU KNOW...

***

That the American Elm tree is the state tree of Massachusetts? This beautiful tree has dark green, oval-shaped leaves, grayish bark, and can grow upwards of 100 feet tall in forest areas. Unfortunately, the American Elm, like other Elms, has suffered greatly to Elm Disease.