Mini Forest

The mini forest is one of my favourite areas on my farm. It is near the house so it can be observed year round with ease. Its northern side is bounded by a small, rushing brook that swells in springtime to creek status and by August has mostly dried up. In early spring you can’t get to the mini forest on foot because the creek looks innocent enough but can easily suck you down into the mud bottom, never to be seen again. Even if you could cross the creek, the mini forest is always partially under water until around the end of May.

Small brook trout wiggle their way south-eastward through the creek, often pausing to rest in the shade of the mini forest. Crows know this and wait with eager anticipation for some unwary fish to wander to the side and become entangled in the long grasses and bulrushes, dooming themselves to being lunch.

Willow, Daffodils and White Pine in Mini Forest

There are trilliums, daffodils, toad lilies and some very pretty moss growing all over the ground under the trees. One large stone juts out of the ground and a dead tree stands beside it, covered with ivy that grows like water in slow motion, churning, frothing and roiling up over and around the trunk.

A row of small, solemn little white pines sits quietly under the large, native trees along the western side. They were planted last year for Earth Day and have made it through the winter looking very healthy. I’m proud of the little tykes!

The Plant Lady

Happy Earth Day!

I planted 15 trees for Earth Day 2009. There are 5 sugar maples, 5 black walnut and 5 bur oak. I tromped all the way to far end of the property to plant them, and it turned into a surreal experience.  

Oak Trees Planted for Earth Day 2009

As I walked through last year’s long grass matted down like a thick carpet over the small hills and valleys, I noticed movement all around my feet. I slowed down to see what it was and realized the whole area of grass was swarming with millions of small spiders….yuck!!!   But, I was already halfway across the field so decided to continue to my destination and hope there were no spiders there, but when I got there, there were.  I knew I had to plant these trees, as they came bare root and couldn’t wait, so I steeled myself to ignore the spiders - they were ignoring me after all, and I started digging holes for the trees. 

Five Sugar Maples planted in 2009 For Earth Day

Before I knew it, I had forgotten all about the spiders, had all the holes dug and could plant the trees. Just as I finished up, it began to lightly drizzle, and I gladly headed back across the sea of spiders and made my way to the house.  My carbon footprint is a little less for another year, and hopefully generations to come will enjoy those trees….well, those who aren’t arachnophobes at least! 

Black Walnut Trees Planted For Earth Day 2009

Happy Earth Day everyone!

The Plant Lady