Site Discussions

I did not know any of the combinations and its such a blessing. I am afraid of creepy crawling things. But I saw the small green tiger swallow-tailed caterpillar and took pics of it and was so excited to find it was going to be a butterfly and was no longer afraid. In fact it is quite cute and looks more like a fish with big yellow eye. Thank you so much for sharing your gift. Enjoy your blessings.

Being from Jersey I can put your doubts to rest and confirm the Jersey Devils are in fact named for a real creature that lives in the Pine Barrens.  He may also occasionally be seen at the Great Swamp.  Any real Jerean can attest the Jersey Devil is alive and well and busy haunting our natural areas!

I’d let it be, Jeannene. It could still have decades of life left in it.

Just noticed my 18 year old has Canker,  what should I do?  Let grow, cut down? If I cut down should I harvest nuts, let critters have?

I have a solitary male turkey who thinks that my mirror glass at my foyer is maybe another turkey he keeps picking at it incessantly. The last one was very aggressive. He was looking for his flock or something. This one is younger more docile and clucks softly when I talk to it and he’s not aggressive. Aside from barricading the doors with my wicker furniture I don’t know what to do about this problem.

I stumbled on a few giant grape vines a stones throw from my house. I came home with a bag full of grapes and mom and I have already enjoyed a few.  But I washed them really well before we ate them. Gotta watch for ants and spiders and do be cautious of yellow jackets. Yeah, they like those.

Interested in your story because Cyril Hessenauer was my Uncle, My mother’s brother. I only met him once when I was probably 4 years old.

Interesting article.

Thanks for your article, Mike. It sounds like how and when to scarify are multivariate decisions that depend largely on the case at hand. Can you suggest any good reference texts or case studies to help managers approach this decision?

Richard, shriveled grapes early in the season are usually a sign of Black Rot disease.  http://grapeseek.org/blackrot.htm

The Butternut nut I planted in front of our house 20 years ago for shade has yielded it’s first single nut this year.  The original seed came from Ash street in WRJct. I will plant the new seed here on our farm in Bridgewater along with seeds from a huge Butternut from my husband’s childhood home.

As a woodworker by trade for the better part of my life, Butternut is one of the most satisfyingly beautiful wood to work. The term “Chatoince” (sp?), pronounced sha twance refers to the shimmering effects caused by Buttenut’s natuarally curvy grain.

As a homeowner, it’s a beautiful shade tree with the convenient habit of dropping all of it’s leaves at once come the sunshine after a hard frost…....making fall cleanup chores a one shot deal.

I encourage everyone to plant as many Butternuts as they can find. .....and put it where you want it…..a long fast-growing taproot makes transplanting problematic after the first year or two.

I don’t think it would hurt to trim off the dead matter, Morganne. But I’d be careful not to cut into any living tissue. Trees compartmentalize their wounds, so re-wounding the tree will just add stress.

I am wondering if lose, cracked bark and wood bug-riddled under the bark should be left on the tree or finely trimmed away close to the adhering firm bark of an elderly cherry tree. Much of the lower bark is lose and cracked up to two feet, with a third intact. The foliage right now(Sept) seems plentiful, but don’t know if it had fruit or not.

I just saw a giant swallowtail today August 29th. No mistake.

I have small bunches of green grapes with one or two starting to purple up. If i pick them, will they continue to ripen. There aren’t a whole lot, so I want to beat the birds! Thanks.

Richard, sounds like you have a male vine. It produces pollen but will not produce fruit.

Thanks for writing this.  I am trying to promote birds, butterflies and bees.  I grow dill, parsley, and milkweed for the butterflies. I have had more this year than last, so maybe its helping.  Information is always extremely valuable, so thanks again.  And good luck in the cold north.

It might help, Rosemary. I don’t think anyone can know for sure, though.

I have a pack that have decided to migrate at the end of my property. I assume the blue cut fire has displaced them since I would always hear them off in the distance. 
I’m concerned about my dog since I think they are looking for new territory as curious watchful eyes were located less than 100 yards from my fence.
Can I use motion detection lights as a deterrent from my property?

Yeah, it’s very necessary to take precautions in spraying pesticides. When choosing a pest control company, choose one with experience and a company that is certified and has trained technicians.