Split Rail Fence Rx

 

 

My split rail fence, the shortest of two, constructed at the corner of the woods and pasture, at a curve in the farm road near the house, made with recycled and rotting rails, was damaged, yet again. Not by the usual storm, but by Glenn returning to further clean-up old storm damage.

 

I thought this corner was cleaned-up for good last time Glenn spent some time there; evidently, I was wrong.

 

 

Today, Glenn and Becky actually removed previous storm damage (lengths of downed trees, broken branches) which was taken off the road and piled along the road sides.  Additional broken and downed tree limbs were removed from the pasture.   Plus, Glenn decided to cut down the triple-stemmed yellow-poplar that was still standing, but dead as a result of a direct lightning strike during the last major storm (see blog 7-31-11 A Most Welcomed Visitor).  I did not know that tree was coming down; at least, not any time soon.

 

Glenn’s rational was to cut the dead tree down before it had a chance to rot further and fall over.  We use that farm road daily.  It was time to eliminate the danger.   I understand.  The logs were still solid enough for use as pulpwood, not lumber.  Nevertheless, some use is better than some waste.

 

 

Unfortunately, as good as Glenn is in felling a tree in his chosen location; he did not account for a bounce.  That tree bounced into my fence breaking the rails in one section of the fence.

This specific split rail fence has previously been repaired two times after two different storms.  All the useable rails had been used; recycled for the last time. There was no opportunity for another fix, another repair.

 

The only feasible option is to shorten the fence by one section; removing the damaged section which sits smack dab in the middle of the length of fence with the end section of rails.

 

So, my fence will be shortened from seven sections to six.  In reality, I guess this same fence can be shortened, if more damage occurs, until no sections remain. 

With Glenn around, that could happen quicker than anticipated.



Notes:  Blog site is still not allowing me to post photos - my apologies.  I hope the fix is found soon!

I was finally able to post photos...the temporary method only took two days to work - ugh!