In order to prevent the logs from rotting, or from being a hospitable place for bugs, we have to peel the bark off the logs. This releases moisture from the logs, and exposes the surface of the outermost ring of growth, also releasing moisture from the Cambium layer of the tree - the tasty stuff between the wood andf the bark that most tree-eating critters LOVE to camp out in and eat.
I started my hand at this on an oak tree. Here's my progress throughout the day... it's slow going, there is NO question about it! That odd tool I'm using is called a "spud", it's designed to glide between the wood and the bark, therfore doing a neater job of it than a Drawknife, which will cut into the wood itself and do damage.
In the end, every log has to be peeled... that's going to take a while, now it's time so ee if I can get community involvement. I'm thinking of hiring the 13 sports teams from the high school a few miles down the road. We'll see if they're amenable!7
Peeling progress is slow, but rewarding...