This beautiful property has a History that dates back to the time of Simon Imbert, and the house dates back to 1870 when it was built by James & Susan (Rice) Mullen for whom Rice Mullen Road was named. The Property then passed to James & Susan’s daughter Lena Mullen and her husband Fred Harris, son of Charles & Theodosia Harris. Thusly, passing to Fred & Lena’s son Jack Harris by deed from Lena, circa 1954. Then, to us on the 4th of August 2020. Interestingly enough, we are Distant Cousins by both blood and adoption! So, the Property remains “In the Family “. We’ve come to call the place our Homestead Farm, Briden Farm, named after the current owners, Brian & Denis.
The photo at the top of this page depicts what the place looked like when we first discovered it, and the following slide show tries to show some of the work we’ve done in our first year, here at Briden Farm.
Briden Farm is located on the bank of the West Branch, Bear River, Nova Scotia. Which means everything we do is on a hillside. Actually more like a steep slope and embankment. So, when it comes to cutting and falling trees, it’s, to say the least, a very tricky and difficult undertaking.
Yes, as I’ve been told many times, I know to cut a wedge on the side you want the tree to fall on! I also know that when you’re working on a sidehill, with wind, even a little wind, coming over the top and playing havoc in the treetops, things seldom go as planned.
Now, we have mostly Poplar and Ash, with some Maple and Oak, and a few more unique species like Black Locust. If You’re unfamiliar with Black Locust, it’s quite an interesting Tree. Black Locust blossoms are an edible delicacy, which I’ve only had the pleasure of enjoying once in my lifetime! The other parts of the Black Locust are reported to be toxic when ingested. Yet it is naturally rot-resistant standing up to the weather for up to 100 Years and was brought here by Ship Builders. Bear River, Nova Scotia is known as Little Switzerland because many of the Village buildings are built on stilts to accommodate the Tidal River. I wonder if the Sea Captains used the Black Locust for those Stilts? To Learn More about Black Locust – Click Here
If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m a big fan, of the big tree with Dragon Scales! Just Check out the bark! Anyway, I am getting sidetracked, earlier this week when I fell a large Black Locust tree, it was late in the day, and when it hung up and was left hanging over our Laneway, we put up a flag strap across the road and worked on it on day two. We were able to move it, and unfortunately when it did move it landed, snugly, in the “Y” of an Oak Tree. Well, it was at that point I decided we better bring in a friend who is more experienced, thanks Peter. The Next day, day three, with Peter’s guidance, and after falling two more trees to clear the way, we now had a laneway completely blocked off by large hardwoods. Thanks to Peter, and his wife, Ann, we managed to clear the road. Now, after three days of working on that, we’re resting up!
So, today, after our ordeal, all I did was take time to do the following, beautiful, video. Hope You enjoy it…
Perhaps the best thing is, my goal this week was to cut two or three Oak and a couple of Black Locust to help with our supply of Poplar and Ash for our Winter Firewood. I should also say a special thank you to Denis for making us all supper at the end of the ordeal. I am actually joking when I call it an ordeal. It wasn’t as dangerous as all that either, but at the end of the week, we’re exhausted, the trees are down, and the Laneway is cleared. For that we’re thankful. Truth be told, I love working in the woods, falling trees, and cutting firewood. Who knows, we may even be able to get some of our own lumber! It is very rewarding, but it is also more difficult than just cutting a wedge, and making a second cut. It’s complicated by the Slope of the Land, the Wind, gravity, other trees, and a number of other factors. If you’d like to come to visit, we’ll try to keep the Laneway clear for You! Here at Briden Farm, where the Tea is always on, and the Coffee is not far behind. Family and Friends are always welcome to come to visit and embrace, the fun, at Briden Farm.
It’s only been a few short months ago that our garden area was wilderness and Hardwood-lands, and now we hope to have at least a small harvest this Fall.
We started by fencing pastures with old Mink Cages, and running our Nigerian Dwarf Goats through them, followed by our Berkshire Pigs. Then after they had done the fertilizing and tilling, we began to plant our gardens. For which we previously did a 4 Part Garden Tour Video Series.
Now, 5 Weeks later, we do another walk through and You get to Tour Our Vegetable Gardens at Briden Farm …
