09/13/2022
McKenna Hollow is currently a forest. A forest so thick you can’t see more than a few feet in front of you. We’ve worked hard clearing spots to set up camp and get a glimpse of the lake that will someday be the main view.
In order to continue our vision, the land needs to be harvested. That’s 17 acres of THOUSANDS of trees, brush, bush - gone. This is terrifying. The industry tends to be scammy, it could destroy the terrain, and we could get ripped off. Not to mention, we still want woodsy vibes. We want our sites to be secluded, to feel whimsical- like you’ve just stumbled upon your own secret spot in the middle of an enchanted forest. If clearing the trees goes wrong, this vision won’t be realized for 20-30 years, if the trees grow back.
Needless to say, this decision has not been the greatest for my anxiety. 😰
Added to that, there were companies wanting to pay us tens of thousands of dollars for the maple, walnut and oak trees on the property. Think about it, as a start up company with a shoe string budget, a nice 20-25k check AND clearing the land was tempting. But something didn’t feel right.
I kept talking to different companies and I found someone who’s certified in forest health (that’s actually a thing). He patiently listened as we showed him maps of the property, and explained our goals. He went on site and told me that every. Single. Hardwood tree the other companies had marked, were trees he would keep. Those are the gorgeous, huge trees that span the canopy of the woods. Yes, they’re worth a ton of money, but he explained we want to keep them to keep their dna in the hollow. Instead he offered to take all the aspen and invasive species of trees. Leaving room for the majestic trees to grow and spread. We’re not getting paid nearly as much, but the idea is to keep the integrity of the forest.
This is happening soon and we’re a bit of a wreck. This is a good practice for me to remind myself change is good- and often necessary. That getting rid of something will make room for the growth of something better. To trust my gut, the vibes I get, and my intuition. But yikes. It’s harder than it seems.
*deep breaths* 😬🫣😮💨
