(Dandelion in tree shelter. May 2008. © Robin)
Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.
~ Henry David Thoreau
Once upon a time, when we were new to Breezy Acres, we had a hayfield. Every spring and summer the hay would grow. Every fall the farmer up the road would mow and bundle the hay which was then left in the field for him to pick up throughout the winter months as needed.
Then one day M got to thinking about trees. He did some research, talking with the folks at our local department of natural resources along with the soil and water people who have been encouraging reforestation since a good chunk of the land around here has been zoned as resource conservation. We ordered a soil map which was the most informative thing I’ve ever seen in terms of what our land is like, what plants and trees are native to the area, and what would grow best in that hayfield.
And so, not long after those thoughts of M’s, we asked the farmer not to mow the field anymore and planted 125 trees. Well, not trees exactly. Seedlings. We bought and planted seedlings because we couldn’t afford to reforest the area with bigger — and more expensive because they are bigger — trees. We planted sugar maples, red maples, oaks, black walnut, and black cherry trees.
The seedlings were lovingly planted by us both. After the first ten or so were planted we had a good, in-sync, rhythm going between the two of us and it became a relatively easy task. M would dig, I would plant. After the seedlings were planted, we placed biodegradable tree shelters around them to keep the rabbits and deer from chewing up the tender baby trees.
All kinds of things go on in some of those tree shelters. Red-winged blackbirds built a nest in one of them (pictures coming soon). Snakes hide out in them. And the usual assortment of weeds (if you think of them as such) try to make themselves at home. The dandelion pictured above has a long, long stem on it (over 2 feet) just so the flower could poke out the top of the shelter.
We probably won’t live long enough to see the trees at their full height and glory. But then, you don’t plant trees with that in mind.
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.
~ Nelson Henderson
I think planting trees must be one of the most satisfying things to do with a plot of land… if I didn’t live in a flat I’d definitely plant some trees. Would love to see a photo of the whole plot to see how your forest is growing!
Very satisfying, Lirone.
So many trees are being cut down around here to make room for more and more housing developments. It’s nice to able to put a few back.
I do have photos of some of the plot (it’s hard to encompass the whole thing in one photo), but they don’t look like much yet. Just some pink cones (the tree shelters) with leaves sticking out the top. They’re very slow growing trees. I’ll see if I can get a decent shot and post one soon.
It’s so satisfying to grow trees, our city bound friends, grow seedlings in pots, when they are big enough they bring them to us and we plant them together, team work!
We are living in the same spot that Jamies parents bought many many years ago… all of our children have grown up here, our grand daughters love to be here, and Sullivan will either grow up here or be like our grand daughters… we have seen many trees grow up to the point where we can sit under them, and remember when they were planted….
I just about posted a dandelion picture, much like yours this morning, but decided to save it for another day… we are starting to think alike!
I love this story. Half a story. I wonder if someday someone will be sitting under the shade, wondering about how your wonderful little forest got there, and tell the other half without even knowing it.
What a really cool thought, Amuirin! I like it.
Truddle: Well, you know what they say about great minds thinking alike.
I hope we stay long enough to see the trees at full growth, and enjoy their shade. Or at least have family take over when it’s all too much for us.
Uhdd: That’s a great idea!
Robin… write the story, seal it in a bottle, and put the bottle somewhere that it can be found in years to come!
Added thought… don’t forget where you put the bottle like we did!
Robin, what a wonderful, wonderful story. What a wonderful Earth giving project that will bless you and yours and those in the future. I really liked amuirin’s comment. Yes.
I love trees and have a regular forest growing in my yard. We just planted 75 seedling bushes and a rabbit ate 5! I didn’t know about biodegradable tree shelters. Perhaps I will look into that.
Lovely B&W photo of the dandelion. I’ll look foward to more photographs!
I don’t have land on which to plant trees, but the quote sums up my profession to a certain degree. Thanks for the wonderful post.
ah, can relate to buying seedlings cos it matches the budget
we’ve planted some 200 trees since moving to our island acreage
the drought – and then the flood – was too much for some of them
many are still making an effort
but it will be many years before we can sit under their shade