Site Discussions

I used to live in Arlington, VT and we had several dirt roads that went into Green Mtn. National Forest and had many spots along the river where you could go to cool off on a hot day.  The reality of your blog description was exactly what I experienced so many times. Just getting away from all the cement and into the trees brought the temperature down.  What lovely summer days spent @ water holes!  Pleasant memories.

Thank you. It makes me feel good to know there are others who know the pleasure of sitting on a stump and watching the goings on.

Can I picture it? Sometimes I dream that I’ve lived it. And with the words that you’ve so skillfully crafted, hell, I can almost smell it. I know life was a hardship back then, compared to the ease of today, yet I still think I was born two-hundred years too late. It’s reassuring to know that there are places that time changes little and still please us in the same way as those that went before.

I don’t know the answer, Sam, and i would be skeptical of anyone who claimed to. It will likely depend on species, where the tree’s growing, tree health and vigor, age, the extent of the wound, and a dozen other variables.

How quickly will a tree seal itself after a chainsaw cut injury? I am told 48 hrs. Is this correct? Oak Wilt is our concern down here. 

Thank you,

Sam
President
Green Grow Organics
2105595565

I never knew the difference between the harvestmen and the daddy long legs. Very cool! As a plant lover two critters have always been welcome in my house ladybugs and these long legged daddy long legs/harvestmen. Thank you for such an interesting and informative article.

Sorry to hear, Alan. Your state service forester could give you an idea of who’s buying wood in your area. This link should lead you to a contact: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2697&q=322796&deepNav_GID=1631

We do a short piece in the magazine every issue called Stewardship Story. This storm, and how you’re dealing with the damage, could make a good topic. If you’re interested in sharing the story get in touch with me.

I was running the other day and thought I saw a leaf moving on the road. As I got closer I realized it was a crawfish. There is a stream and a Pond near the road but was startled to see this! I didn’t touch it or move it but later I wondered if that gave it a death sentence. It was probably 50 feet from any water. Should I have moved it?

Wow what a beautiful article… I saved a group of women from a water snake earlier today, as they screeched and hollered, I giggled and scared it off…. What beautiful imagery and appreciation for snakes!

My land in Hamden, CT was struck by a tornado. I have at least 100 eight to ten foot logs cut and stacked.

Do you know anyone that wants them?

Any suggestions?

Appreciate any suggestions you can offer.

Thanks, Alan

Thank you for solving the mystery of my “garbage gobbler.”

This spring I started separating out the compostable garbage we generate to see if I could cut down on what we send to the landfill.  I was shocked at the amount—30 gallons a month!  Since we haven’t yet built an enclosed compost bin, I decided to bury each day’s compost in our garden, but it would be dug up and totally gone in a day or so.  When I spotted the grey fox I realized it had to be the scavenger—what but a dog creature could smell it under the ground, dig it up, and eat or carry off every bit of it?

I hate to deprive it of food, but much of it was spoiled and seems like it could be toxic. I expect we should move building the composting bin to the top of the list—it’s only been on the bottom of it for 25 years.

Thank you, grey fox! I hope you find more nutritious food that is fresher.

Very surprised by this paper. I live in Canada, near Maine and Vermont borders. There are many stands that have been grazed by livestock in the past here and young trees are often unable to establish by themselves. Also, the non commercial species of the understory that are so important for biodiversity are often just gone. Maybe it could interesting to use sylvopatoralism for cleaning young tree plantations, but the soil can also be compacted. So I am not sure it is such a good idea to promote it.

I have a stand of Red Spruce of all ages at 1600 feet that seems to be doing well.  The understory is Balsam so thick as to be impenetrable.  Should I thin the Balsam?

Im a firm believer in multicultural forests. In the “HIdden Life of Trees” it talks of the interconnected support between pines and oaks.  Whether it’s Oak Wilt, White Pine Blister, Pine Bark Beetle or EAB, if you have variety, you won’t lose your whole forest to one disease. Squirrels are great planter of oaks. Red Maples are prolific reseeders. Pines reseed in rotting logs. In monoculture forest syou risk losing a whole forest which also increases risk of forest fires, because there are no surviving trees to provide shade.

I have 30 acres of natural forest. At least 4 types of conifers, almost every type of oak, sugar and red maple, poplars and birch. It has remained natural with the exception of putting in a trail.  About 3 yrs ago we had a blowdown and about 70 percent of the trees uprooted or became snags. I’ve learned so much from allowing nature to repair.  Snags are very valuable for peckers and cavity nesters. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees all eat beetles and insects. I have all of them. Im hoping they will combat EAB if it arrives. Downed trees and understory hold moisture in soil. I believe this helps PREVENT forest fires (90% are started by humans). Rotting logs provide perfect mediums for new pine seedlings. Many of the uprooted trees still had enough roots in the ground to survive.  I have a green Balsam completely on the ground surviving after 3 yrs.  Mosses, club mosses, ferns, wildflowers and tree seedlings would have all been taken away if I had succumbed to the forestry people. My forest thrives today. I learn something new every time I go there. I did clear my trail again, but put the logs off to the sides.  Bushy pine tree tops, I cut so they dropped to the ground to prevent excessive drying out of needles. There is so much more to a forest than trees.

Claude will be truly missed. I logged for him for a number of years up to him closing the doors of Paul Bunyan Logging. The best boss I have ever had. A truly great friend that I am proud to have known.

Patrick, a great article.  I worked with Claude off and on when I was with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Bennington County.  I always learned something and I think I was probably on the TV show.  Thanks to people like your Dad, Jim White and Claude working in Bennington county was fun and interesting.

In areas where Black Bears are common, they are a major predator of turtle eggs, both Snapping and Painted turtles. I have seen many times where they have violently dug out nests, scattering eggs far and wide. Raccoons also may be one of the causes of the decline in Wood Turtles. Few nests escape.

I’m sorry but you did not write any positives about woodchucks….are there any?

Thank you for this information! I was curious about all the ants on our peonies.