Friday, November 4, 2011

Tree Hugger

Am I a true definition of a tree hugger, no.  However, have I been called a tree hugger from time to time, sure. And why yes I do work in the beautiful City of Ann Arbor, Michigan - Which is apart of the Tree City USA, Arbor Day Foundation.   One reason I'm teased and called a tree hugger. (The biggest reason -Ann Arbor's culture is a little on the hippie side) But what I don't do is protest, or tie myself to trees that logging companies are about to cut down.  Shit, I watch Ax man on the History Channel (Love the guys that do the river logging!)  But the one thing that I do love to do is plant trees!

 I remember when I was 8 or 9.  My grandpa had 40 or more acres of farm land that he wanted to afforest.  He would buy 500 to 1,000 saplings from the county every spring and fall and my family would help plant them.  My job was to place the saplings in the drilled hole.  I rode on something similar to this,



however I don't remember it looking that nice or that safe...  But then again I am a child of the 80s.

Now that I have my own piece of property, I plant trees every year.  My husband's family gave him 5 acres of old farm land that they purchased when they moved to my small town when my husband was in the fifth grade. Since the house has been built, I plant anywhere from 5 - 50 saplings a year. 

Now hubby HATES pine trees, so I only plant those in the field in between our house and our neighbor's (which currently is owned by his parents). So that one day, if they ever sell that property, we won't be able to see the house, and that house won't be able to see into our kitchen! We do have a few in our immediate yard, however they are on the north side and help with that cold northern wind!   

I can't believe it, but it has been almost 10 years since I planted my first tree on our property.  Here is my tallest pine tree.

He's about 5'5 right now!  Very proud momma here!

Once a tree is established, which can take a few years, depending on soil, watering, nature, it will start doubling in height.  We have clay soil, which isn't the best for growing trees and I don't water these guys.  If they survive they were meant to be.  I'm excited to see this guy's growth in the next few years.  He will be taller than me next year! (Keep in mind, he was only about a foot tall when I planted him!)

I also plant hardwoods.  I have mostly maples planted.  However I have a few oaks planted and a few walnut trees.  I believe at one time I planted some wild cherry and chestnut.  I don't think the chestnuts took and the wild cherries... Well, lets say they are surviving...  The rabbits and other animals like to nibble on these guys in the cold winter months.  So they are just not taking off, and I'm not really helping them along.  They are planted along my driveway in the tall weeds, so they are hard to see and I don't water them due to there location.

But I want to show you an example of a sapling that has a lot of TLC and one that hasn't... 


Yes, this guy needs to be stake!  He is located in a flower bed, so he gets lots of water in the late summer months, he is spoiled!


This guy is only about 2 or 3 foot tall.  Pretty sure I planted them at the same time. It's amazing what a little watering can do!

So this fall I'm planting a few more.  My good friend's dad gave her some oak and maple trees from his own "forest"!  These saplings were planted by the hands of God.  And Farmer E wants to see them grow and thrive!  Hopefully they will!  But they have a long road ahead, time will tell!

Here is one of the four I planted


See that twig sticking out of the ground, yup, that's him!  I put a tomato cage around him, so I don't mow over him come spring. 

So from here I'm going to let nature take over!  Good Luck Little Ones, Godspeed!

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