A Sunny Day

A day without rain is cause for celebration.

I listened to a local NPR radio show that said that our local average 

rainfall has increased by 8%, and with climate change, we could

very well see another 11% increase.

That's a lot of rain!

Of all of us, the ducks won't mind the extra water one bit.

These wacky runners are happiest when the ground is sloppy,

and they can spend their days sifting through muddy soil with their bills.

While everyone was outside enjoying the peace of a sunny winter day,

there was a bit of background noise coming from our hundred-acre-wood.

I am sure it is no surprise to you when I tell you that we love our woods.

We spend many hours hiking through the forest with the dogs.

It's our peaceful, happy place.

Over the past few years, however, we have had an incredible amount of

our Hemlock trees break off and coming crashing to the ground.

Sadly, this is not a normal cycle of the woods, 

but rather the end result of a Wooly Adelgid infestation,
and a secondary effect of climate change.

The Wooly Adelgid is an insect pest that came to this country from China,

and is responsible for wiping out much of the Eastern Hemlock population.

For years, we have kept a close watch on our trees.

Hoping that winter weather would be cold enough to kill the pests,
(sustained temperatures below 0 degrees can help to kill the pests)

we have waited and watched as more and more of our trees fracture in the middle

and come tumbling to the ground.

After years of hoping, we made the decision to surgically remove the diseased 

trees from the woods in hopes that young seedlings 

will grow in their place.

With enough light reaching the forest floor, 

after the removal of the dense hemlock canopy,

the hardwood saplings will now be able to re-populate the forest.

The process is fascinating, as this one single piece of equipment fells tree after tree,

perfectly precisely removing only hemlock trees..

leaving only the green tops on the forest floor...

which will serve as protection for the smaller animals of the forest.

I am saddened at losing so many trees,

but at the same time, I understand the necessity of planning ahead

for the health of the forest.

Diseased trees become a safety issue as well.

Being proactive, though hard to watch, 

gives our forest the best chance of long-term survival.

Lastly, I have to show you our Christmas gift from our neighbors,
Jim and Kathy (who help with farm chores when we are on vacation)...

Maybe this will help to reduce the number of horse escapes we have!