Pruning trees can be fun and easy with the right tools

It's not really the time to prune trees and shrubs. I believe it's best if done in the spring or fall. I had an extra amount of energy this week thinking about burn season in the fall and decided some of my plants needed pruning. Where to start? I am scared to death of thinking about using a chain saw, so my neighbor suggested trimming with a Saws All reciprocating saw.

I drove to Home Depot where there were several on display to choose from. The salesman explained the differences between a cordless model and one with a cord. Because of what I was going to use it for and because I have power in the very back of the yard, the DeWalt with a cord was going to be the best for me. One feature I like about this tool is the blade could be inserted for use in four different directions. It didn't come with a blade even though I thought the sign said it did, but I picked up four-inch and six-inch wood blades anyway.

The next morning after chores, I added heavy gloves, eye protection and a visor to my attire and headed out the back door with my new toy. Man, do I love tools. It was kind of fun taking down each limb at a time. I think I should have cut them into a bit smaller pieces to make them easier to drag to the burn pile.

I had the four-inch blade in and it was able to cut down two 20-foot-tall elm trees, trim lower branches off four pine trees and prune four rather large shrubs before that $4 bit was pretty worn out. Hey, I didn't have to pay a gardener. I had a lot of fun doing it, but still have to haul all the cuttings to the burn pile. Think I'll wait for another day; this was a lot of work. One thing I thought of when I was done " I can see now why my dad always wears long sleeves and a ball cap. I got a couple stings on my arm and lots of little black round bugs that fell in to my hair that I had to keep shaking out. Have fun in your yard.

n Boy Scout Troop No. 411 is going to have coffee and doughnuts as well as hot dogs and drinks available for reasonable at the St. Gall Catholic Church rummage sale in Gardnerville this Friday, Aug. 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and also on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come on down and check it out. You can call Rocky at 782-2852 for more information.

n Thanks for the calls I received about the gray squirrels from last week. A lot of readers seemed to enjoy animal articles.

n Last, guess what? There are only 22 more days before school in back in session at Pinon Hills Elementary School. All the parents are probably thinking, "thank goodness," and all the staff at the school are probably thinking, "where has the summer gone?"

n Lisa Welch is a Johnson Lane resident and can be reached at 267-9350.