You know how I mentioned that trees are a renewable resource? That was really driven home yesterday when I went up with the boss fixing fence in the heifer pasture.
Although we call it that, for the past ten years or so we ran the milk cows up there at least part of the time. Last year we sold the herd ...And all that summer there were only four in a pasture that formerly fed sixty. Now we only have two old milk cows
Right now, those two old girls, Bama and Moon are still in the barnyard on hay. Although they know where they belong, the fence must be repaired in case a storm or hunters or something else panics them and they run where they don't belong.
Anyhow, I went out with him to see if I could spot the Brown Thrashers that are around....(check...Bobolinks too.).
All over the top of the hill, to the tune of thousands upon thousands, little Sugar Maple trees have taken root. I swear every samara that swirled down from the old trees since the cows left has sprouted.
With only two cows to turn out there this summer I don't suppose they will be disturbed much.
How long before it is a forest again?
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| Although you can't see him in this view of the Shagbrark Hickory, (largest tree, just right of center) there is somebody up there. |
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| This guy |
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4 comments:
How beautiful and refreshing this is, and I SAW HIM there...lovely. Thank you for the refreshment of SOUL here...I can smell the green grass...mmmmmm Cows are soo happy.... love Merri
A lot of old farms around my neck of the woods have sprouted acres and acres of white plastic tubes (actually protective cover for small saplings) in abandoned pastures or along stream banks. I imagine, in 20-30 years, these will be burgeoning forests of oak, maple and whatever else they may have planted.
I know that the old pastures at my Adirondack cabin have almost disappeared as trees--many of then poplars--have taken over. But even these are now growing old (poplars are rather shortlived) and hemlock and spruce are filling in from the understory.
Ecological succession is grand! Things continually change over time.
Which is why I can't help but be a climate sceptic.
Lucky Duckies!!
Thrashers and Bobolinks.
I have to drive nearly 100 miles to see a Bobolink.
Merrilyn, He has the fence nearly done so the ladies can go out in the field. They are both 8, which is not exactly the springtime of youth for cows, but I'll bet they'll run around like crazy for a little while. lol
Joated, It is always interesting to see! We have several fields that have lain fallow for a few years and each is different. In the pasture by the house it's box elders everywhere...darned things....but up there the sugar maples are working on a new sugar bush. I don't know what we will do...whether the guys will change the conservation plan and put that ground to crop work or just let it go or get a few more steers to pasture next year but for now it is interesting...
Cathy, we are! Hummers came back yesterday. If you come by NY in the summer, maybe you can see.
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