Stakes piled on the Big Hill

• Main Author: Branch Cultural Historical Association
• Format: Still Image
• Language: English
• Published: 2000
• Subjects: Knowledge of the land/water and environment; Work; Architecture; building and construction; Vernacular architecture; Timber; Firewood; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/ich_avalon/id/4421

The tree-covered hills around Branch provide firewood and timber. Over the years, this local supply has been used to build houses and boats, horse slides and box carts, wharves and flakes, furniture and barrels. The Big Hill is known as a good place to cut rails and stakes for fencing. Close by, Birchy Hill is known for its growth of birch trees. Birch is good wood for barrels, cart wheels, snowshoes, furniture, slide knees and staircase rails. Alderly Hill is known for its growth of alders. In the past, alders were used for firewood and to make brooms and lobster pots. Other wood cutting places include Simons Nap, the Knap Where Peter Cut the Wood, and Where Tom Cut Stuff for the House. (Thomas Nash(mid- 1800s) not the first Thomas Nash cut wood here to build his house in the Lane. Tommy in the Bog, as he was known, is said to have been 7 feet tall and had the strength of 5 to 7 men.)