I read a little article by a woman named Diana Beresford-Kroeger who wrote To Speak for the Trees, among other titles. The subtitle of that work is My Life’s Journey from Ancient Celtic Wisdom to a Healing Vision of the Forest. What she has apparently discovered over the course of her life is that ancient indigenous ways of being with the earth are precisely what modern science is learning about how we must be with the earth if it and we are to continue. Indigenous people around the world seem to have lived with essentially the same values and behaviors throughout different climates and circumstances. In the course of the article there was a statement along these lines: If everyone would plant 6 trees over 6 years it would make a tremendous difference for the earth.
Well, we have done our part for now! As I type, 150 trees and shrubs are getting their last tuck-in and their first drink of cool, clear water. 50 Western Red Cedar, 10 Big Leaf Maple, 10 Blue Elderberry, 10 Nootka Rose, 10 Pacific Crabapple, 10 Flowering Red Currant, 10 Red-osier Dogwood, 20 Snowberry, and 10 Vine Maple.
I had no idea. There was no information I could find about what was meant when they said, “Shore Pine, quantity 1, $25.” Our native plants nursery gal thought all orders were for 10. Turns out “Quantity 1” translates into 15 trees! One order of “Western Red Cedar, Quantity 2, $50” turns out to be not 10, but 50. Easy to see how the little project in the yard went from a few trees for privacy and some habitat for the birds and bees into planting a small forest.
The thing I’m currently most deeply grateful for is that the gardening crew had the time to take on the project. If they hadn’t, I was prepared to donate the plants to someone, anyone, who could get them planted before they died. They are so tiny. I was able to pick them all up, wrapped like a burrito in brown paper, and get them in the little “stream” below the house to, as they say, “keep their feet wet.” Now they are tucked in, we will turn attention to connecting the drip system that will keep them hydrated as the days get warmer and drier. Fortunately, the northeast-ish corner of the property is the highest point so all watering can be gravity feed.
After all was in place, the four fruit trees previously planted in that section, still dormant, were moved over to the southwest-ish part of the property as the first pioneers in the orchard. They needed to move because eventually the bigger trees will overshadow them, and they’re still small enough to make the journey. Joining them will be the Hazelnut and perhaps a Crabapple or two. Rumor has it the Crabapples, though not particularly favored by humans, are a runaway favorite with the birds.
Also on the docket for this week—more of that “creek don’t rise” optimism—is getting the east side of the yard cleaned up in preparation for the arrival of the greenhouse. There’s so much cleanup to do, but piano, piano, we make headway. Of course, the little projects, regular chores, the general upkeep we will do for as long as we’re on the property, but these feel important to address as we get started. The trees needed to get in the ground this spring or we’d be a whole year behind in getting them started. Until we have some flowers we’re not going to be able to have the Mason bees or lady bugs or be popular with the hummers. It’s true it could all have waited until next spring, but….
I’ve seen no wildlife other than that one coyote making its way along the edge of the property way over by the bordering forest. However, I continue to get information that if we plant it, the deer will come. Hence, the deer repellent. Everyone I talk to assures me that it is harmless to creatures and plants but stinks worse than anything imaginable. When I was buying it the fellow said, “Don’t get this on you. If you do, you’ll only do it once.” “Why,” I asked, “does it burn?” “Nope, you’ll just never get the smell off of you.” Yikes. Can’t wait to spray some of that around!
The birds have gotten quite untidy in their eating habits so they now have new plates to assist them to achieve the level of good manners I’m sure they aspire to. I’ve taken down the hanging feeders, since they just inspired the Blackbirds to violence, and the little folks seem to prefer eating from the deck anyway. The treats hang on the deck railing and everyone, from tinies to Varied Thrush to Flicker, and, yes, even Blackbirds, are welcome to partake. Did I mention that whatever they’re offered, they prefer peanut butter? Uh huh. Unsalted of course and, yes, organic.
I can’t stop myself from taking almost daily pictures of Grandmother Mountain in all her many looks. If you can imagine, the colors are not nearly as vibrant in the photo as in person. You knew that though, right? All part of my not-terribly-well-disguised plan to build a burning desire in each of you to come visit her as soon as the time is right.
In gasshō,
ch