The March Ramble: Tree Trimming, Maple Sugaring, Bluebirds

Using an articulated arm, an arborist in the bucket is able to get to limbs and branches without damaging the barn roof. The entire machine moves on rubber tracks making lawn and soil damage minimal. ANDREW MESSINGER

Using a control pad and joystick, the operator moves the 92HD Arbor Pro down the driveway on its rubber tracks. ANDREW MESSINGER

Forty feet in the air and 50 feet from the truck that this device is mounted on, four arms wrap around the tree trunk while a remotely controlled chainsaw below the arms safely cuts off the top of the tree. With the arms wrapped around the trunk, the section can be lowered to the ground to be trimmed and cut for firewood or put in a chipper. No climber needed. ANDREW MESSINGER

An eastern bluebird eyeing the field and searching for flying insects to feed on. ANDREW MESSINGER

A male eastern bluebird showing his dazzling color. ANDREW MESSINGER

The house sparrow on the left can also use a bluebird box but if the box is placed in a large field or meadow this is unlikely. RODGER HUBBARD JR.

A tree swallow peers from its nesting box. To avoid competition for nesting spots, places boxes about 20 feet apart. Bluebirds will use one and tree swallows will use the other. Both are voracious mosquito eaters as they soar and hunt all day plucking from the sky while in flight. ANDREW MESSINGER

An Audubon-branded bluebird nesting box on the left and a homemade box on the right. The wood section in the center (reversed) shows the kerf cuts that allow the fledgling chick to climb up the wood when ready to leave the nest. The Audubon box does not have the kerf cuts and the copper covering on the top makes it too slippery for the birds to perch on top. The flange (bottom center) is attached with small bolts to the bottom of the box and the protruding connector allows easy mounting onto the EMT pipe. A simple set screw in the flange allows for easy removal of the entire box for repairs and cleaning. The Audubon box is much heavier than the home made box and may not be supported by the EMT pipe. ANDREW MESSINGER