Site Discussions

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.

Dave’s line “We found the beaver ponds that Andy used to fish as a boy but the dam had blown out some time ago” reminds me of what happened around here approx. a year ago, when a beaver dam “blew out”—and how that event reshaped the surrounding forest.

A series of dams atop a local mountain had been in place long enough to make it onto topo maps and old Google Earth photos. But after a prolonged heavy rain, the top dam let go, which overburdened the lower ponds and dams, until a 15(+)-foot section of the lowest dam gave way and dumped thousands and thousands of gallons of water several hundred feet straight downhill.

The wave carved a new canyon through the forest, crossed the main road through the local “gulf” and undercut or scoured off its pavement, ripped out or drowned dozens of mature trees, flooded the drainage system, and swept over the hood of my firewood vendor’s truck as he was driving up to deliver our load, leaving behind a minefield of muck and debris. Thankfully, the driver was unhurt, his vehicle undamaged, and nobody else was on the road at the time. No one’s house was in the way of the deluge. But the road was closed for repair for several weeks, and the surrounding woodlands permanently scarred and reconfigured.

We live a mile or two away on the other side of the hill this occurred on, and believe we heard the crescendo of the event. An isolated rumble/roar, that sounded like thunder but not quite, with no other weather elements involved, occurred around the same time.

It’s hard to believe that a beaver dam caused such damage! But it’s a good illustration of system dynamics among the forests and waters—and humans who live there.

This article is from 2007.  What is the status of this research today?  Is it possible to participate in using Lecanicillium muscarium?

Thank you.

This is the first season for us to watch the fascinating Indian Pipes.

I found one and each weekend since a few more have appeared. This location is an old well established forest with interesting geo formations throughout. The recent rains have given life to many mushroom, toadstool, fungus and algae, all new to us…a plethora of learning and great beauty for me.

At the top of the NE ridge of the sinkhole, there is a lot of activity right now.  The area has grown up with many varieties of hardwoods.

My task is to keep neighbors from dumping grass clippings and tree trimmings onto the above mentioned beauties. The owner, my friend cannot see the wonder in all I described, sadly.

Do Indian Pipes glow in the dark, really???

Barbara Bellehumeur

Well, I guess we know the truth now.

Besides throwing them out, this is actually a pretty good use for a penny - however, I think it is actually a felony to destroy money :)

Unsuccessfully tried to outsmart the bear by hanging the feeders high with rope and pulley. He climbed one tree and grabbed the line with his mouth and shook it until the feeders fell. Next time, one small feeder was afixed firmly and it stayed. He showed his displeasure by defecating in many places. Now the feeders are kept in at night.

I understand the idea of a wedge and shim, however, the trees I am taking down are only between,7”-9” in diameter, some are back leaning and seem too small to use a wedge, as soon as I attempt to back cut my saw jambs & I cannot cut deep enough to apply any kind of wedge?

I’m a bit frustrated. My trees are close together which poses another problem altogether. Do I need to use a come-along to apply pressure in the direction of my fell?

Steve