Monday, June 18, 2012

Split open and old oak, and what do you find?

Our wood-cutting projects for members seem to never end.  It's a big job to cut down, cut up, and split these old majestic oaks - all for firewood.  Some of the rounds are so big that we have to split the heavier rounds into halves or quarters, just so we can manhandle them to the hydraulic splitter.  Br. Shields is the 1st counselor in the Branch Presidency.  In spite of the demands of his job (MD-OB/GYN), family, and leadership responsibilities, he takes the initiative in leading in these projects.  By my count, he's put in about 11 of his Saturdays since we've been here - on two wood projects.  And we're still not done.

Here's Larry (resting in the shade after helping me nonstop on the splitter for about 2 hours), Jacob (splitting open the round), and Br. Shields.  What do we find when it's split open?

TERMITES!

These nasty little critters are in the larvae stage, and this is when they do the damage.  You can see what they've done to the inside of this oak.  Termite and pest control here in the South is a big business, and everyone has to be sure their home is protected against termites and other vermin.  I've seen some houses partially collapsed when termites have eaten away the piers that support the structure.



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