Hug the Trees

Trees teach us patience and caring. They nourish the soil, shelter the under story and feed wildlife. We can learn a lot from trees. One white oak in these woods has been here about 260 years. There is Bur Oak, White Oak, Red Oak, Shagbark Hickory and Walnut trees here, which provide plenty of nuts for squirrels and other wildlife.

Buckthorn and Honeysuckle have been removed. Native plants were planted about 15 years ago in small test samples (3) with the expectation that if conditions are right, they would multiply. Many species have self-propagated joining original residents like Jack-in-the-pulpit, Illinois Horse Gentian, Blue-eyed Grass, Nodding Onion, Pussytoes, Virginia Creeper, a variety of Sedges and Wild Bergamot. These plants had been dormant prior to us clearing the invasive trees and shrubs.

Black Raspberry and Common Blackberry were already growing on the property. We've recently added Serviceberry, American Hazelnut, Elderberry, Lingonberry and Blueberries for additional food sources, creating the beginnings for a few Permaculture Plant Guilds.

I acknowledge The Wood Wide Web before I put spade in the ground.