We have done some work on the Chicken House recently – as with any older building, there is always some project which needs to be done.  Felix Reyes and his helper, Renato, cut the stinkweed trees which had grown up on the lower hillside, obstructing the view of the mountains.

We also hired John Morgan from Tuxedo to remove the large dead locust which was next to the west side of the building and which was leaning precariously towards the roof.  Felix then used some of the larger branches to create posts to line the back driveway.

We revere trees and protect each one – particularly native species and those which have significant age or provide shade, stabilize soil or perform  other valuable functions.

We also protect those trees which are simply beautiful (which they all are in some way). The Saluda Tree and Beautification Committee meets at the Chicken House regularly to discuss ways to protect Saluda’s trees.

However, we realize there are some trees which need to be removed.  Those which pose a hazard such as the dead locust leaning towards the building or any non-native species.  One of these, the stinkweed, or ailanthus altissima, is one of the most prevalent in the Saluda area. The non-native species are often invasive and can spread so extensively that they crowd out the native species which support native birds, insects and mammals.