Site Discussions

A few weeks ago I asked a question on the site of one of my favorite arborists: What is it called when a tree thinks it’s going to die, so it makes a big push for reproduction?

I did qualify that I was looking for a way to express the thought; not saying that trees do/do not “think.” Boy did I get a lot of guff for that one! Several people did not see or understand that I was looking for a way to express the question. Then, after a bit, a few folks wrote in, saying they understood the question, and had seen the same thing. (Ah… progress!)

So I posed the question to 770Arborist, who directed me to this site. And I am grateful to him. 770Arborist understood the question and said he would look into it. He did. How many people on the Internet keep their word?

I have worked in forestry in timber sale preparation. I love being in the woods. I love learning. That, plus I have also been an arborist since the ‘80s. Therefore I appreciate this site, and this answer. Not only does it make good sense, I am glad to hear that sometimes the stresses can be alleviated and the tree(s) recover.

This also compliments the reading I did years ago concerning “mast” crops. Hm. Interesting.

Many Thanks,
Michael

This was fascinating. I am further wondering how the trees know of animal predators? What senses do they employ to be aware of the external world? I assume trees do not have eyes as I would understand them to be. And, although I love Tolkien, I have never heard of there being Ents in the world. As I said, this was quite fascinating and brings up so many more questions.

HELP! I found what looks like a type of chrysalis today and I have absolutely no idea what it is! Its mainly brown and it looks like its in a sort of “S” shape. You can see its antenna and it has two bumps on its back. Someone please help!!!

I first noticed while visiting my daughter in FL that mourning doves had a 3-syllable call. I assumed it was a different species from MDs we have here in the Midwest in MO. We have had record high temps this year, and I am hearing the same 3-syllable call. So I am thinking now it is the same bird species, but changes its call according to temp differences. I can’t seem to find research on this.

Two days ago, while camping and kayaking on Cliff Lake, Montana, and cooling my feet in a tiny feeder stream, a water shrew (Sorex palustris) scampered across a riffle just five feet upstream.  It came out of thick bank vegetation and disappeared in thick vegetation on the opposite bank.  The riffle is fast-moving, but the shrew shot across a span of five feet, having gained against the current.  Of course I was thrilled.  An avid hiker and kayaker for 60+ years, I have enjoyed this marvelous creature on only two previous occasions: in high cirque lakes and swimming underwater while chasing invertebrates.

I think sapwood also made up of mostly dead cells tracheids, with parenchyma cells between them .

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.