Site Discussions

I have a tree farm.  Need to know how much white pine is now.

I am pleased to find a word that describes the feeling Dave describes, which I know so well.

But . . . how do you pronounce it? “Swuh-DA-day”?

I think I have some serious infestation of a Norway maple tree in my yard. Small, perfectly round holes on one third of the bark/trunk from knee level up to 9 ft. I think today I see a small, reddish-looking insect (beetle) in one of the holes. Lots of sawdust on the ground and lots of bark peeling away. How do I know what kind of infestation I have and what to do. Whom to call? Help!  Jenny

Mr. Mance has done it again to me. No one can make me “feel” the written word like he can. This story makes me feel “saudade.” I wish he would publish a book of his short stories. I’m sure it would be my favorite book. Thanks Dave.

Thanks for the behind the scenes glimpse of what goes on in the editors room. Sorting out passionate opinion from crackpot observation isn’t always easy. In the example given, I think you made the correct decision not to publish. Northern Woodlands is a fine publication and I for one would not like to see it turn into an editorial free-for-all.

I finally identified this plant in our restored prairie and wetland.  The unusual thing is that it is in a heavily disturbed area that was completely replanted with prairie plants and was upland and fairly dry.  It had no trees associated with it, but perhaps there was dead wood that it was growing on.  It was June when I saw it, and then it was lost as the larger plants grew around it.

More years ago than I like to admit, I grew up on a farm in central Maine. We heated exclusively with hardwood that we cut from our woodlot. Being that it was an old, uninsulated farmhouse it took around 14 cords to make it through the winter. I’ve got to tell you, I never laid an eye on a splitting maul until after I left to go out on my own. My father preferred,what he called,a pole axe. The trick was to always split the wood when it was frozen and not to strike the wood straight on(that results in the axe being stuck in the wood). A slight twist of the wrists resulted in the blade hitting at a slight angle and popped the wood apart. After many, many years of using a splitting machine, I helped a friend hand split a pile of wood a couple of years ago. He was using a maul and I used an axe as my father taught me. He was amazed that I was twice as fast as he was with the maul. To be fair,we were both fifty something and that axe was a lot easier to swing!

I will have containers of “enviro” wood chips beetle killed spruce at Seattle port later in 2009/10; looking for a home for them.

Sighted 4 September 2009.  Have photo I can e-mail if you need it.

We grow milkweed for the monarchs every year. We find if we cut down the first crop the new plants are usually covered with caterpillars every year. Unfortunately this year we haven’t seen a single caterpillar or butterfly. Is anyone else experiencing this?

Not only would Ruby and people like the crab apple blossoms, but so would the bees, the grouse, myriad songbirds, and other critters. Good choice!

Specialize in Black Walnut in Central KY.

How about something with red (ruby) blossoms? Actually, one of those maple-leaved viburnums, or high-bush cranberry as they call it locally (at least I think they’re the same thing), that gets beautiful white clusters of flowers in June, then gorgeous red berries in the fall. The birds love them, too. Planted in a protected place, they can be very shapely, not too big, but stately and elegant.

I also have always loved the idea of planting something in memory of departed friends and family. Have a great time with that!

Marian

What a wonderful tribute to Ruby, a gentle and loving fur person. We miss her, too.  We recently planted a row of flowering crabs along the south side of Ryder Rd.  We hope to still be around in a few years when they put on a beautiful spring display.

Where could I find prices for softwoods?

I live in SE Iowa, and am an avid hunter and outdoorsman; this is the first time I have ever seen this plant, AMAZING.  Smell them, they have an herbal smell.  As soon as it gets dark I will see if they glow. I was hoping they were edible.  Lots of cool mushrooms this year too.  Loving life.

I saw the story on the news tonight about the Asian Longhorn and thought it was the beetle we had here about 11 or 12 years ago, but found on you website that it is the Whitespotter Sawyer. My husband says they are still in the area but I haven’t seen one in a long time. They are in the pine trees behind our house. And they do bite and it is quite painful. I suffered no ill effects from it, but thought you should know this.

Do you know of any insect/bug that is fire resistant?

I would like to know the best method of growing the cuttings and what time of year to plant them. I would also like to know what the best method of germinating the seeds.

Looking for any possible people needing clean pine off cuts of lumber for any sort of renewable use. Pieces are mostly 1 inch thick and of various shapes. It is possible to grind this material to chips to make for easier transport. Any ideas or contacts please reply.