Though fall is the time of year that most think of trees for their changing colour, and complain of the piles they rake from the lawn; few recognize the fact that fall is the best time of year to plant most trees. The reason being is a simple one. They are coming into a dormant season when their demands of growth are not quite so great. They can take advantage of all the fall rains, the January thaws and the springtime melt waters, while establishing their new root systems, and further they enjoy, when once again leafed out, the April showers. This gives them time to establish a root system that will reach to sufficient depth to aid them in surviving a summertime draught.
Being a tree hugger by a hereditary factor on my father’s side of the family, I have always felt pleasure in the number of trees I’ve helped to plant year, after year after year. It is fun to drive around the country and look at the groves that now exist
This year was of no exception. This weekend past, with the help of a couple of our Greenspaces’ members, a couple of additional willing helpers, and a couple of strong teen age boys, working off some of the 40 hour community service demanded in our school system, we managed to plant an additional three hundred and twenty-five pot grown trees.
Three hundred of those were cedars which were planted as a living snow-fence, well back, along the inside of the roadside fence line. As this is a secondary township road, where very little, if any, salt is used in the winter, I have every expectation that these trees will do well, look great, and serve their purpose well.
As quite a number of them were head height, while the rest of knee height, we alternated their planting. One tall, followed by ten short. Give them a couple of years and you will see a very attractive line of trees; acting as snow fence, windbreak, and shelter for the birds.
The 30 oak were planted for quite yet another reason. Over the past few months there had been sighted a couple of families of wild turkeys roaming the short harvested fields. They were obviously spread out, in fan shape formation, catching the grasshoppers and crickets that were there in over abundance. The oaks, planted along the fence lines out from the buildings, will produce both shade and colour, and although it will take several years to start producing their acorns, will in time be a staple food that will keep the turkeys well fed during the long cold winter months.
While planting the trees in the warm fall sunshine, it was pleasant just to stop and look at the trees in the woodlands that surround. Though, lacking frost, they’re a little late turning colour this year, but their heavy leaf cover, due to the ample summer rains, gives promise of the kaleidoscope yet to come.
One of the moments that warmed the cockles of my noble heart, was the fact that a quite large flock of eastern bluebirds were gathering in the area, in readiness to flying south. I never had the opportunity to count, but I would guestimate they numbered close to 100. I have not seen flocks like that since I was a preteen youngster.
In addition, on two occasions, flying high above, I watched two different flocks of geese fly over. One I am sure was of the snow goose variety, and the other was definitely that of the northern Canada. They have a different bell tone call then our semi-domesticated locals; but this will be questioned by the untrained ear.
In the meantime folks, I’m in the tree planting mood, and I just might organize another group to help plant another three hundred or so this coming weekend. Wish me luck.
Take care, ’cause we care.