March 25

Well, I think our ski season is finished for this year. The snow is gone, maple syrup season is done, and we've moved into the season of mud.
However, the work of maintaining our ski trails does not end. I've been taking advantage of social distancing to do some improvements that will hopefully benefit us all next winter. On the Black Cherry trail #23, today I did some pruning, limbing, and removal of trees to facilitate my own form of "flattening the curve". Specifically, by removing some branches and some entire trees, I will be able to straighten out some of the sharpest curves on the trail, so it will be easier to groom, and easier to ski with a smoother flowing diagonal stride.
This work also constitutes a form of forest management, as I select the appropriate treatment for various types of trees. Any ash tree that is growing close to the edge of the trail is removed, since it will likely die from the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer within the next 5 years. Wild apple trees near the trail are also being removed, as I have an over-abundance of them. The Black Cherry trees, after which the trail is named, are being retained but pruned to remove low, spreading branches that grow out into the trail. Multiple trunks on the cherries are also being removed, in order to concentrate all the energy into a single strong trunk. The apple and cherry twigs, which were up in the air, are now lying on the ground where they will feed the rabbits.