critter friendly yards
Jean B.
Japanese maples etc. and put them in part of the front yard, I am
thinking I want most of my yard to be populated by
critter-friendly plants--ones that provide food, nesting
spots/shelter for birds and beasts. Currently the large back yard
is rather barren, with pines at the back and toward the side, so I
have a decent amount of open space to chip away at. Depending on
where I plant, and the things I put in eventually providing shade,
most of this will be in sun or partial sun. I don't think that
area is arid or particularly moist. I am in the Boston area and
like to allow for all contingencies, so I generally plant things
that are for zone 4. Fairly carefree but not horribly invasive
would be pluses.
I am starting a list of possible plants but wonder whether folks
here have some recommendations. Sites and books would also be
most welcome. Thanks!
--
Jean B.
Jean B.
Oh, ps, I should add that I do not want to use pesticides and
herbicides.
--
Jean B.
brooklyn1
You really ought to live there at least a year before doing any major
planting. Spend your first season planting foundation shurubs, you're
not likely going to want to move those. In your zone spruce trees are
a safe bet, and spruce is deer proof. But I'd wait on shade trees
until you get a feel for where the sun strikes, how the ground drains,
and have a chance to think about any structural additions like
fencing, sheds, and even adding a room... and you'll need time for
planning in case you want a vegetable garden, fruit trees, and berry
bushes, etc.
Lelandite
"brooklyn1" <grave...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:sua6g5pk9k261gam9...@4ax.com...
Super idea and I agree. Wait until you've lived in your new home
to make sure the lay of the land sort of thing.
I would recommend raspberries if there's a variety for your
Zone. Not only do you get fresh berry for jellies and pies, but
come fall the stalks make a good place for small bird to gather
and eat oatmeal, corn etc. Mine let me know about it if they
go without breakfast!
Donna
in WA
FarmI
news:7mgmn2F...@mid.individual.net...
Can't help with specific plants but here in Oz, the way to encourage
wildlife is to think in layers like ground hugging, understorey, middle
layer and tree canopy and some fallen material like logs where lizards can
shelter. 'Course that's always dangerous if you don't want snakes, but it
is good for lizards, small marsupials, birds and middle sized animals. The
middle layer and canpoy should enclude a mix of open foliage for the bigger
birds and close coverage where the little birds can hide from the bigger
birds who like them for breakfast. Do you have a local birdwatching group
that may have site information for those who want to encourage birds? The
same things that many birds like is also what other fauna aften likes.
Jean B.
Thanks for the reminder. I KNOW that is the reasonable approach,
and it is what I have done before. I am just so eager.... And
working on the level of privacy in some areas would be nice.
--
Jean B.
Jean B.
yard. Good idea!
--
Jean B.
Jean B.
I have a friend who is an avid bird-watcher, so I can ask her for
guidance. I have become somewhat aware of the layering, but I
should put together a cohesive plan to achieve that.
Maybe you don't think I'd be crazy to start a brush pile!
--
Jean B.
brooklyn1
In your zone right now is a good time to check the nurseries for sale
items, especially the big box stores, where often plants are slashed
50% and more this late in the season... even if you aren't sure where
to plant you can heel them in pot and all until spring.
brooklyn1
Without knowing the size of your property and it's terrain it's
difficult to make specific suggestions as to type of plants, but you
might consider spending this winter perusing the various on-line
resources and make a list of those plants in each catagory that appeal
to you and will fit within the constraints of your property (also a
good idea to take notice of your neighbor's plantings with focus on
what parts of your property they shade. For example you may like
Norway spruce and sycamore but those are only suitable for very large
areas, like at least 5 acres... even if they will fit on an acre they
won't look very attractive all squished in... and I wouldn't plant
any trees in a location that were they to fall they could hit your
house... and think about plant roots, you don't want them invading
your foundation/septic. Don't let those tiny nursery plants fool you,
they grow. Also not knowing your age makes it difficult to suggest
what age plants and their growth rates you should be considering... it
makes little sense for someone say over fifty to be planting saplings
and expect to sit in their shade. Then it may be best to purchase
larger/older specimens and pay to have the nursery plant them... even
those listed as fast growing trees don't really grow all that fast...
a typical red maple sapling can take 30 years to become a shade
tree... and you kinda hafta cut growth rate claims by half, they
assume the most ideal conditions, they don't account for poor growth
years; droughts, floods, wind/ice storms... an early hard frost can
easily set a tree back 3-4 years growth. I'd leave the small saplings
and tiny bare root trees for the cash strapped youngsters... you need
to weigh the dollars saved against the years lost.
Jean B.
feeder. I was thinking it looked very barren, but I didn't
venture up the side where they stash the trees. I will do so.
I have a few here that I haven't planted because I knew I'd be
moving. Another few that I just put in mulch, again because I
knew I was moving. Plus a few small ones that are planted--one
inappropriately (they apparently didn't loosen the material around
the root ball) and a few so near the walk that they will probably
be ruined by the movers.
I guess I should deal with those first. But yes, this is a great
time for sales on plants, so I will see what's around.
--
Jean B.
Jean B.
I am torn between larger and smaller plants having read that
sometimes the smaller ones will do better and thus catch up to
some degree with the larger ones.
I will be 60 in January. I guess that is a factor to some degree.
I'd like to have some nice views in my lifetime. OTOH, I also
believe in planting for the future--even the distant future. I am
reminded of this when I drive by the house I lived in when I was a
kid. My dad planted some red maples, and they are now nice trees.
The big oaks that were there have mostly come down, so it is
very lucky he looked ahead.
--
Jean B.
FarmI
You too :-)) I noted your name but didn't know if you chose to acknowledge
our aquaintance out of context.
>
> I have a friend who is an avid bird-watcher, so I can ask her for
> guidance. I have become somewhat aware of the layering, but I should put
> together a cohesive plan to achieve that.
Do a hunt on terms like permaculture, layering and wildlife in google on US
sites and that may give you some ideas. If that doesn't work I know I have
a seen a number of Oz ones which explain the concept as it applies to farms
(for biodiversity reasons) and, although the plants would be different, and
the concept applicable to broad acreage, there is no reason why the same
hting couldn't be applied to a yard - let me kno wif you'd like me to do a
hunt for you and provide cites.
>
> Maybe you don't think I'd be crazy to start a brush pile!
Nope, not at all. Even I have a brush pile which given our snake problem, I
know I probably shouldn't.
FarmI
> I am torn between larger and smaller plants having read that sometimes the
> smaller ones will do better and thus catch up to some degree with the
> larger ones.
We have foudn that oaks grown from acorns grow like stink if watered in our
hot summers. We also planted a windbreak last spring of tube stock (at
least 500 plants) about a ft high for the biggest and this summer some of
them are already about 4 ft high. They were all Oz natives though so that
may not be a lot of help.
>
> I will be 60 in January. I guess that is a factor to some degree.
It sure is! We too think about how long trees will take to grow, but there
is a Japanese poem of which I am fond which says it all (although I can't
remeber the line splits so you'll just have to put them in yourself):
'A man truly understands the meaning of life when he plants a shade tree
under which he knows he will not sit.'
> I'd like to have some nice views in my lifetime. OTOH, I also believe in
> planting for the future--even the distant future. I am reminded of this
> when I drive by the house I lived in when I was a kid. My dad planted
> some red maples, and they are now nice trees. The big oaks that were there
> have mostly come down, so it is very lucky he looked ahead.
He truly understood the meaning of life.
Bill who putters
I once saw a tv program dealing with yard habitat. Came away with the
idea that diverse heights in plants have something for everyone. So
have grass, scrubs, small and large trees and they will come. Can be
appealing to humans too.
Here is a site that touches on water as well.
<http://www.eastbaynature.com/habitat.htm>
Bill
--
Spam http://www.leraysvillecheese.com/ Many stars
Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA
Jean B.
> You too :-)) I noted your name but didn't know if you chose to acknowledge
> our aquaintance out of context.
Why not? I like you!
> Do a hunt on terms like permaculture, layering and wildlife in google on US
> sites and that may give you some ideas. If that doesn't work I know I have
> a seen a number of Oz ones which explain the concept as it applies to farms
> (for biodiversity reasons) and, although the plants would be different, and
> the concept applicable to broad acreage, there is no reason why the same
> hting couldn't be applied to a yard - let me kno wif you'd like me to do a
> hunt for you and provide cites.
Oh, I enjoy googling and researching!
> Nope, not at all. Even I have a brush pile which given our snake problem, I
> know I probably shouldn't.
Heh. Well, this will NOT be near the house at any rate. I THINK
I have absorbed that I actually want to discourage critters from
being in that area! I wonder how close is too close (in terms of
ground cover, etc.)?
--
Jean B.
Jean B.
> "Jean B." <jb...@rcn.com> wrote in message
>
>> I am torn between larger and smaller plants having read that sometimes the
>> smaller ones will do better and thus catch up to some degree with the
>> larger ones.
>
> We have foudn that oaks grown from acorns grow like stink if watered in our
> hot summers. We also planted a windbreak last spring of tube stock (at
> least 500 plants) about a ft high for the biggest and this summer some of
> them are already about 4 ft high. They were all Oz natives though so that
> may not be a lot of help.
That's neat. I do have some baby oaks here and will try to snag
some of them. Of course, without their leaves, they may be hard
to identify!
>> I will be 60 in January. I guess that is a factor to some degree.
>
> It sure is! We too think about how long trees will take to grow, but there
> is a Japanese poem of which I am fond which says it all (although I can't
> remeber the line splits so you'll just have to put them in yourself):
>
> 'A man truly understands the meaning of life when he plants a shade tree
> under which he knows he will not sit.'
Such a person does have to have a vision that extends past his/her
lifespan!
>
>> I'd like to have some nice views in my lifetime. OTOH, I also believe in
>> planting for the future--even the distant future. I am reminded of this
>> when I drive by the house I lived in when I was a kid. My dad planted
>> some red maples, and they are now nice trees. The big oaks that were there
>> have mostly come down, so it is very lucky he looked ahead.
>
> He truly understood the meaning of life.
In that regard.
--
Jean B.
Jean B.
>
> I once saw a tv program dealing with yard habitat. Came away with the
> idea that diverse heights in plants have something for everyone. So
> have grass, scrubs, small and large trees and they will come. Can be
> appealing to humans too.
>
> Here is a site that touches on water as well.
>
> <http://www.eastbaynature.com/habitat.htm>
>
> Bill
>
but gives me some tangible clues.
BTW, my Japanese maples... Sniff. I will be very sorry to leave
my moonfire, especially. My shishigashira is the one that was
incorrectly planted, while the sango kaku will be in peril. I
will put these and others in one small area of the front yard. I
do still love them, although my thoughts on what I should be doing
have evolved over the years.
--
Jean B.
Wildbilly
"FarmI" <ask@itshall be given> wrote:
> We too think about how long trees will take to grow, but there
> is a Japanese poem of which I am fond which says it all (although I can't
> remeber the line splits so you'll just have to put them in yourself):
>
> 'A man truly understands the meaning of life when he plants a shade tree
> under which he knows he will not sit.'
The observation seems to be universal.
A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life
when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never
sit.
-- Elton Trueblood (1900-1994
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not
expect to sit.
-- Nelson Henderson
He that plants a tree loves other besides himself.
-- Thomas Fuller
To plant trees is to give body and life to one's dreams of a better
world.
-- Russell Page
What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants the friend of sun and
sky; He plants the flag of breezes free; The shaft of beauty, towering
high, he plants a home to heaven anigh. For song and mother-croon of
bird, in hushed and happy twilight heard - The treble of heaven's
harmony. These things he plants who plants a tree.
-- Henry Cuyler Bunner, the Heart of the Tree
The wonder is that we can see these trees and not wonder more.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
--
�When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist.�
-Archbishop Helder Camara
http://tinyurl.com/o63ruj
http://countercurrents.org/roberts020709.htm
brooklyn1
<grave...@verizon.net> wrote:
>"Jean B." wrote:
>>
>> I will be 60 in January. I guess that is a factor to some degree.
>
>Certainly is, at that age it's even more important to plant trees that
>you have a chance to enjoy as trees, otherwise simply visit the
>nurseries and peruse their saplings each year.
>
>> I'd like to have some nice views in my lifetime. OTOH, I also believe in
>> planting for the future--even the distant future.
>
>Most everything you plant will be in regards of the present and the
>future. On my property I found trees of all ages but there were some
>specific kinds that I wanted that weren't growing here. So I had to
>decide on whether to focus only on the dollars and plant small
>inexpensive ones or spend the dollars for something larger so that I
>could enjoy the view and not just plant for future generations, I
>decided that there needed to be a balance. And so I decided to plant
>trees that were large enough that I felt assured that I would still be
>here long enough to make it worth doing at all. Tiny trees will
>eventually catch up but at 60 years old you very likely won't see it.
>
>At to attracting critters the critters first need to be in your area
>and have access to your property, otherwise it won't much matter what
>you plant to attract them. I have all sorts of wildlife here all
>year, mostly due to there being natural food and water sources present
>and that there are no fences.
>
>This morning it was chilly at 6:30, 24�F, and frost not only on the
>ground but up on the trees too.
>
>Deer and Canada geese foraging frosty grass:
>http://i49.tinypic.com/282r02.jpg
>
>Suddenly I noticed something didn't look right, something was out of
>place... at first I thought a goose sitting at a strange angle but
>then I could plainly see it was a great blue heron:
>http://i48.tinypic.com/1945g0.jpg
>
>It was at a long distance nerly 1,000 feet so wasn't easy to tell at
>first... there it is the closest to my barn:
>http://i48.tinypic.com/aymz45.jpg
>
>About a half hour later I just happened to glance outside and just
>happened to still have my camera at the ready, so was very lucky to
>grab this shot as the heron departed:
>http://i46.tinypic.com/2s63l9t.jpg
>
>Building large brush piles encourage critters to take up residense:
>http://i46.tinypic.com/28r2r11.jpg
>
>Naturally there has to be critters and they need to have access.
>Here I'm surrounded by many thousands of unfenced acres and very
>sparsely populated, so any time I look out a window I am likely to be
>surprised... the great blue heron is pretty rare around here, but I've
>spotted bear, eagles, fox, skunk, hedgehogs, beaver, bob cat, too many
>to name, and of course lots of deer and Canada geese... often mallards
>drop in to rest among the geese but don't stay long.
Jean B.
> On Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:26:10 -0500, brooklyn1
> <grave...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>> "Jean B." wrote:
>>> I will be 60 in January. I guess that is a factor to some degree.
>> Certainly is, at that age it's even more important to plant trees that
>> you have a chance to enjoy as trees, otherwise simply visit the
>> nurseries and peruse their saplings each year.
>>
>>> I'd like to have some nice views in my lifetime. OTOH, I also believe in
>>> planting for the future--even the distant future.
>> Most everything you plant will be in regards of the present and the
>> future. On my property I found trees of all ages but there were some
>> specific kinds that I wanted that weren't growing here. So I had to
>> decide on whether to focus only on the dollars and plant small
>> inexpensive ones or spend the dollars for something larger so that I
>> could enjoy the view and not just plant for future generations, I
>> decided that there needed to be a balance.
I agree with that. Some for more-immediate enjoyment, and some
for the future.
And so I decided to plant
>> trees that were large enough that I felt assured that I would still be
>> here long enough to make it worth doing at all. Tiny trees will
>> eventually catch up but at 60 years old you very likely won't see it.
That's diplomatic.... I won't be seeing them.
>>
>> At to attracting critters the critters first need to be in your area
>> and have access to your property, otherwise it won't much matter what
>> you plant to attract them. I have all sorts of wildlife here all
>> year, mostly due to there being natural food and water sources present
>> and that there are no fences.
That is a very nice situation to be in! I spoke with woman in the
new neighborhood yesterday and asked about critters. She said
there were deer, hawks, a fisher.... So at least there is
something beyond squirrels--and I gather the hawks like to dine on
them!
>>
>> This morning it was chilly at 6:30, 24�F, and frost not only on the
>> ground but up on the trees too.
>>
>> Deer and Canada geese foraging frosty grass:
>> http://i49.tinypic.com/282r02.jpg
Are the deer in the shadowy area?
>>
>> Suddenly I noticed something didn't look right, something was out of
>> place... at first I thought a goose sitting at a strange angle but
>> then I could plainly see it was a great blue heron:
>> http://i48.tinypic.com/1945g0.jpg
Neat!
>>
>> It was at a long distance nerly 1,000 feet so wasn't easy to tell at
>> first... there it is the closest to my barn:
>> http://i48.tinypic.com/aymz45.jpg
Oh yes, now I see it in the group photo.
>>
>> About a half hour later I just happened to glance outside and just
>> happened to still have my camera at the ready, so was very lucky to
>> grab this shot as the heron departed:
>> http://i46.tinypic.com/2s63l9t.jpg
>>
>> Building large brush piles encourage critters to take up residense:
>> http://i46.tinypic.com/28r2r11.jpg
I will cart some starter branches to the new yard! What is that
in front of the deer--and to the left?
>>
>> Naturally there has to be critters and they need to have access.
>> Here I'm surrounded by many thousands of unfenced acres and very
>> sparsely populated, so any time I look out a window I am likely to be
>> surprised... the great blue heron is pretty rare around here, but I've
>> spotted bear, eagles, fox, skunk, hedgehogs, beaver, bob cat, too many
>> to name, and of course lots of deer and Canada geese... often mallards
>> drop in to rest among the geese but don't stay long.
Again, I am soooooo envious! My yard isn't nearly as large as
yours, and it is in a more urban setting, but I will do what I can
with it. At least there are some critters--and where there are
some known ones, I suspect there are/will be more.
--
Jean B.
brooklyn1
Well, I'm 66 so I don't have to be too diplomatic, at 66 I don't have
time to pussy foot around issues. LOL And I've never been evasive or
have been known to wear blinders, I'm a tell it how it is sorta guy.
If you plant a baby tree ten years later it will still be pretty much
a baby tree... at 60 years old you want to plant a teenage tree... a
twelve year old tree is still pretty small but at least in ten years
when it finally has some semblance to a tree one can barely recognize
in its mature state you will already be 70.
Shade trees don't grow very quickly, even those touted as fast growing
just creep along adding only a foot or less in height each year. I
planted quite a few saplings when I first arrived here seven years
ago, none are what I'd now call a shade tree. The beech trees seem to
barely grow at all. The gingkos are doing a little better but their
new growth is brittle and weak, even the weight of small birds break
off pieces so that they lose about half what they put out each year.
Crabapples do better but need enough pruning that I find myself
removing about half of each years growth. My blue spruce are doing
well but still add only about six inches in height a year. My
sycamore are doing the best but in seven years went from three foot
twigs to ten foot saplings, will probably be another ten years before
they'd offer enough shade to sit in without constantly moving the
chair as the sun travels across the sky, if I make 76 I'll get to do
that. My apple and plum trees were seven years old when I bought them
and are doing well but after two years I can see that they are really
not much larger, but still much better than a three year old bareroot
mail order twig or a skinny potted sapling from Lowes... at this age I
don't recommend buying twiggy fruit trees, go to a grower and spring
for something a bit older, I paid $60 each, the apple trees actually
had a few fruit on them. I bought nine larger speciments from a
grower and they delivered and planted them with a small excavator,
even those after seven years are not a whole lot larger but at least
they look like trees... those were expensive, to buy and to plant, but
they were gauranteed, all made it; a linden, two flowering pear, a
hawthorne, two beech, a Kentucky coffee tree, two dawn redwood... nine
trees, $3,000.
>>> At to attracting critters the critters first need to be in your area
>>> and have access to your property, otherwise it won't much matter what
>>> you plant to attract them. I have all sorts of wildlife here all
>>> year, mostly due to there being natural food and water sources present
>>> and that there are no fences.
>
>That is a very nice situation to be in! I spoke with woman in the
>new neighborhood yesterday and asked about critters. She said
>there were deer, hawks, a fisher.... So at least there is
>something beyond squirrels--and I gather the hawks like to dine on
>them!
Deer like to dine on most any plant... you'll need to fence any small
trees.
>>> This morning it was chilly at 6:30, 24�F, and frost not only on the
>>> ground but up on the trees too.
>>>
>>> Deer and Canada geese foraging frosty grass:
>>> http://i49.tinypic.com/282r02.jpg
>
>Are the deer in the shadowy area?
One is clearly out in the meadow, others are just inside the tree
line, difficult to see in a photo.
>>> Suddenly I noticed something didn't look right, something was out of
>>> place... at first I thought a goose sitting at a strange angle but
>>> then I could plainly see it was a great blue heron:
>>> http://i48.tinypic.com/1945g0.jpg
>
>Neat!
>
>>>
>>> It was at a long distance nerly 1,000 feet so wasn't easy to tell at
>>> first... there it is the closest to my barn:
>>> http://i48.tinypic.com/aymz45.jpg
>
>Oh yes, now I see it in the group photo.
>>>
>>> About a half hour later I just happened to glance outside and just
>>> happened to still have my camera at the ready, so was very lucky to
>>> grab this shot as the heron departed:
>>> http://i46.tinypic.com/2s63l9t.jpg
>>>
>>> Building large brush piles encourage critters to take up residense:
>>> http://i46.tinypic.com/28r2r11.jpg
>I will cart some starter branches to the new yard!
Be wary about what brush you bring from elsewhere, could be polluted
(toxic), diseased and harbor pests, I'd not.
>What is that in front of the deer--and to the left?
Not sure what you mean... there's a big brush pile to the left just
inside the entrance to that path, then all along are stacks of logs
wedged between standing trees from trees I cut to open the path so
that sun could get in to dry up the water from rain and run off,
otherwise it was mud all summer. There are a couple of deer and a
Canada goose there too. That picture was taken with telephoto from my
rear deck, nearly a thousand feet away, so it's pretty distorted,
compresses the length of the path, which is also about 1,000' long but
looks much less in that picture.
>>> Naturally there has to be critters and they need to have access.
>>> Here I'm surrounded by many thousands of unfenced acres and very
>>> sparsely populated, so any time I look out a window I am likely to be
>>> surprised... the great blue heron is pretty rare around here, but I've
>>> spotted bear, eagles, fox, skunk, hedgehogs, beaver, bob cat, too many
>>> to name, and of course lots of deer and Canada geese... often mallards
>>> drop in to rest among the geese but don't stay long.
>
>Again, I am soooooo envious! My yard isn't nearly as large as
>yours, and it is in a more urban setting, but I will do what I can
>with it. At least there are some critters--and where there are
>some known ones, I suspect there are/will be more.
I still suggest that you don't do anything major right away. Live
there a year, be watchful and make notes and sketches depicting shaded
areas in summer, areas with poor soil that seem to remain dry and
don't support lush ground cover, and areas of standing water that
don't drain well. This will help you eliminate areas where
you won't have success planting and help you focus on the areas where
you will have success. Also note areas where snow is piled from
shoveling/plowing, especially areas where road salt accumulates, you
really don't want to consider planting in those areas and you don't
want to obviate areas you will need for piling snow. When I first
moved here I din't know anything about this land, now I know where
every rock is to avoid when mowing. I keep a file where I keep all
the documentation for everything I planted, when, and where (with
diagrams). Also, take lots of pictures. We're practically neighbors.
Jean B.
> Well, I'm 66 so I don't have to be too diplomatic, at 66 I don't have
> time to pussy foot around issues. LOL And I've never been evasive or
> have been known to wear blinders, I'm a tell it how it is sorta guy.
I have noticed that for many years--probably ever since I got on NGs!
> If you plant a baby tree ten years later it will still be pretty much
> a baby tree... at 60 years old you want to plant a teenage tree... a
> twelve year old tree is still pretty small but at least in ten years
> when it finally has some semblance to a tree one can barely recognize
> in its mature state you will already be 70.
I will go prowling. I THINK the nurseries are done with tree work
until spring, but I could be wrong. More's the pity, since fall
is a good time to plant, and the ground here near Boston is not
frozen.
>
> Shade trees don't grow very quickly, even those touted as fast growing
> just creep along adding only a foot or less in height each year.
Also, I have gleaned the knowledge that fast-growing trees tend
not to be very long-lived. One strategy I have seen is to plant
some of those junkier trees that give privacy while the better
ones grow a bit.
I
> planted quite a few saplings when I first arrived here seven years
> ago, none are what I'd now call a shade tree.
SEVEN years! Gee, how time flies. I wouldn't have guess you
moved that long ago.
The beech trees seem to
> barely grow at all. The gingkos are doing a little better but their
> new growth is brittle and weak, even the weight of small birds break
> off pieces so that they lose about half what they put out each year.
I am leery of gingkos. In fact I was reminded of my reason when I
visited Boston's Chinatown a few weeks ago. Egad! Now my
daughter understands my comments about them.
> Crabapples do better but need enough pruning that I find myself
> removing about half of each years growth.
I have a dwarf crab, which I have had in mulch for a few years.
That is one thing I will plant next week. There are actually two
larger crabapple trees in the yard.
My blue spruce are doing
> well but still add only about six inches in height a year. My
> sycamore are doing the best but in seven years went from three foot
> twigs to ten foot saplings, will probably be another ten years before
> they'd offer enough shade to sit in without constantly moving the
> chair as the sun travels across the sky, if I make 76 I'll get to do
> that. My apple and plum trees were seven years old when I bought them
> and are doing well but after two years I can see that they are really
> not much larger, but still much better than a three year old bareroot
> mail order twig or a skinny potted sapling from Lowes... at this age I
> don't recommend buying twiggy fruit trees, go to a grower and spring
> for something a bit older, I paid $60 each, the apple trees actually
> had a few fruit on them. I bought nine larger speciments from a
> grower and they delivered and planted them with a small excavator,
> even those after seven years are not a whole lot larger but at least
> they look like trees... those were expensive, to buy and to plant, but
> they were gauranteed, all made it; a linden, two flowering pear, a
> hawthorne, two beech, a Kentucky coffee tree, two dawn redwood... nine
> trees, $3,000.
Not too bad. Yes, I want fruit trees. I don't know whether they
would be for man or for beast--I suspect the latter, although *I*
will enjoy the blossoms--and seeing the critters.
>
> Deer like to dine on most any plant... you'll need to fence any small
> trees.
Mmmm. The pros and the cons. Yes. Also deer ticks. Still, I
want to see them and to encourage them in my small way.
>
> One is clearly out in the meadow, others are just inside the tree
> line, difficult to see in a photo.
I will look again.
>
> Be wary about what brush you bring from elsewhere, could be polluted
> (toxic), diseased and harbor pests, I'd not.
Hmmm. Not even from this yard?
>
> Not sure what you mean... there's a big brush pile to the left just
> inside the entrance to that path, then all along are stacks of logs
> wedged between standing trees from trees I cut to open the path so
> that sun could get in to dry up the water from rain and run off,
> otherwise it was mud all summer. There are a couple of deer and a
> Canada goose there too. That picture was taken with telephoto from my
> rear deck, nearly a thousand feet away, so it's pretty distorted,
> compresses the length of the path, which is also about 1,000' long but
> looks much less in that picture.
I thought I saw a critter with a bushy tail--much like that of the
coyote that crossed the street in front of my car tonight.
>
> I still suggest that you don't do anything major right away. Live
> there a year, be watchful and make notes and sketches depicting shaded
> areas in summer, areas with poor soil that seem to remain dry and
> don't support lush ground cover, and areas of standing water that
> don't drain well. This will help you eliminate areas where
> you won't have success planting and help you focus on the areas where
> you will have success. Also note areas where snow is piled from
> shoveling/plowing, especially areas where road salt accumulates, you
> really don't want to consider planting in those areas and you don't
> want to obviate areas you will need for piling snow. When I first
> moved here I din't know anything about this land, now I know where
> every rock is to avoid when mowing. I keep a file where I keep all
> the documentation for everything I planted, when, and where (with
> diagrams). Also, take lots of pictures. We're practically neighbors.
Well, I think you are pretty far away. I'll get a camera with a
better telephoto lens.
I will try to confine myself to minor projects this coming year
and leave the larger areas until I know the lay of the land (both
literally and figuratively). I do need some more privacy though,
and I do have my little babies to plant.
--
Jean B.
FarmI
> FarmI wrote:
>> You too :-)) I noted your name but didn't know if you chose to
>> acknowledge our aquaintance out of context.
>
> Why not? I like you!
Thank you Jean and I reciprocate that :-))
>> Do a hunt on terms like permaculture, layering and wildlife in google on
>> US sites and that may give you some ideas. If that doesn't work I know I
>> have a seen a number of Oz ones which explain the concept as it applies
>> to farms (for biodiversity reasons) and, although the plants would be
>> different, and the concept applicable to broad acreage, there is no
>> reason why the same hting couldn't be applied to a yard - let me kno wif
>> you'd like me to do a hunt for you and provide cites.
>
> Oh, I enjoy googling and researching!
>
>> Nope, not at all. Even I have a brush pile which given our snake
>> problem, I know I probably shouldn't.
>
> Heh. Well, this will NOT be near the house at any rate. I THINK I have
> absorbed that I actually want to discourage critters from being in that
> area! I wonder how close is too close (in terms of ground cover, etc.)?
There was a woman who used to post here from somewhere in the midwest and
she had a glorious garden on a house sized block and she ended up a single
mouse in the house from a brush pile in her yard. That wouldn't have
worried me given that I get mice (plural) in the house each spring and
autumn (but I just noted that I haven't this spring - wonderful!) I guess
it wouldn't be a problem if the pile is down the back and there are lots of
other things around for the critters that shelter in such a place have
plenty to eat.
Jean B.
> There was a woman who used to post here from somewhere in the midwest and
> she had a glorious garden on a house sized block and she ended up a single
> mouse in the house from a brush pile in her yard. That wouldn't have
> worried me given that I get mice (plural) in the house each spring and
> autumn (but I just noted that I haven't this spring - wonderful!) I guess
> it wouldn't be a problem if the pile is down the back and there are lots of
> other things around for the critters that shelter in such a place have
> plenty to eat.
>
>
know why in all the years here, the three cats have only gotten
TWO mice!) I am going to try to be careful about keeping things,
even welcoming groundcover, away from the house. I am envisioning
the brush pile(s?) being on the edge of the wooded area. I want
to see where the critters tend to come out and leave that clear,
so even that may be after a lag.
OTOH, I do have that nice big downed branch here.... I should
point out that I am only moving 2-3 towns away--depending on how
one drives, so I wouldn't be bringing any foreign invaders to the
new domain.
And that reminds me... I was going to do research on the Asian
Long-Horned Beetle to see what trees they don't destroy. They are
in this state, and it would be foolish to not think about that
when planting.
--
Jean B.
enigma
@mid.individual.net:
> Soon I'll be moving, and while I will take a few of my smaller
> Japanese maples etc. and put them in part of the front yard, I am
> thinking I want most of my yard to be populated by
> critter-friendly plants--ones that provide food, nesting
> spots/shelter for birds and beasts. Currently the large back yard
> is rather barren, with pines at the back and toward the side, so I
> have a decent amount of open space to chip away at. Depending on
> where I plant, and the things I put in eventually providing shade,
> most of this will be in sun or partial sun. I don't think that
> area is arid or particularly moist. I am in the Boston area and
> like to allow for all contingencies, so I generally plant things
> that are for zone 4. Fairly carefree but not horribly invasive
> would be pluses.
i'd wait through a full year at the new place to study sun patterns
& soil conditions before i started planting. use the time to map the
yard & plan.
my yard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat, as well as a Tree Farm (i
like my signs, i do <g>). you can find wildlife habitat suggestions
at: http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/
lee
oh, and wrap those Japanese maple trunks in hardware cloth over the
winter. the mice & voles love to eat them.
mleblanca
> "Jean B." <jb...@rcn.com> wrote in news:7mgmn2F3g2vvlU1
> @mid.individual.net:
>
> > Soon I'll be moving, and while I will take a few of my smaller
> > Japanese maples etc. and put them in part of the front yard, I am
> > thinking I want most of my yard to be populated by
> > critter-friendly plants--ones that provide food, nesting
> > spots/shelter for birds and beasts. Currently the large back yard
> > is rather barren, with pines at the back and toward the side, so I
> > have a decent amount of open space to chip away at
>
> & soil conditions before i started planting. use the time to map the
> yard & plan.
> my yard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat, as well as a Tree Farm (i
> like my signs, i do <g>). you can find wildlife habitat suggestions
> at:http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/
> lee
> oh, and wrap those Japanese maple trunks in hardware cloth over the
> winter. the mice & voles love to eat them.
Yes I agree with you Lee. Plan and research, Jean.
The NWF is a great source of information. They have a wonderful,
beautiful book:
Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife.
by David Mizejewski (he is manager of the Backyard Habitat Program)
See if you can locate it. Pub. by Creative Homeowner books,
www.creativehomeowner.com
(I also have a Certified Wildlife Habitat # 49465.)
Have a fun winter planning, Jean and let us know of your progress.
Emilie
NorCal
Jean B.
thanks for the advice--and the link, Lee.
Gee, I haven't had any problem with those maple trunks being eaten.
Oh yes.... Speaking of maples, I started looking into the Asian
Long-Horned Beetle. On one hand, the advice is that all maples
are very susceptible to them; on the other, they don't like any
Japanese maples. No oaks seem to be susceptible. Now I am trying
to remember why a friend of mine was worried about his oaks a few
years ago....
--
Jean B.
Jean B.
Thank you, Emilie. I will order that book from the library....
Oh, heck, I'll get a book shop owner/friend to order one for me.
It sounds like something I will really benefit from having on hand.
--
Jean B.