(As it happens, one of my nature cams captured the whole sad spectacle on video.) A combination of waterlogged soil and stiff, straight-line winds finally resulted in a fallen tree.
When I told friends what happened, they immediately jumped to the same conclusion: that I would be cutting the tree up for firewood. But I don't have a fireplace or a wood-burning stove. And now I have even less habitat for the creatures that used to depend on that old tree for shelter.
As a result, I've been doing everything but stacking new firewood. What follows are 10 ways I've been using my old tree to help feed myself and support area wildlife, too.
And who knows? Maybe the next time you're faced with a newly fallen tree, you'll give some of these a try.
BIRD REST STOPS
I used to love sitting near the old maple and watching the birds take shelter within its hollows and along its branches. Determined to restore some of what's been lost, I've created a few bird rest stops.
First, I selected some large, sturdy limbs which still had several branches attached. Then I gathered several intact and hollow log sections. To keep grass and weeds from encroaching, I removed a small section of turf and covered the area with a thick layer of cardboard and fallen leaves.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Best of Hobby Farms 2023-Ausgabe von Hobby Farms.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Best of Hobby Farms 2023-Ausgabe von Hobby Farms.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Ostrich EDUCATION
If you're looking for a unique livestock option, these large, flightless birds might be the answer.
Spiced Apple Rings
Learn the best and tastiest ways to put up the traditional canning foods, from tomatoes and green beans to apples and peaches in this new book.
RURAL REBOUND
Have cities reached their peak?
Pie Time!
Make a sweet potato crumb pie for the holidays or any day!
Soil SOLUTIONS
By practicing more sustainable farming techniques, we can bring back the rich topsoil of the preindustrial era.
Groundbreaking Fertilizer
Raise compost worms and harvest their waste, which is a natural and powerful plant fertilizer.
Cut & Dried
DRYING YOUR HERB HARVEST OFFERS AN EASY WAY TO PRESERVE ITS FLAVOR AND USEFULNESS FOR PROJECTS AND RECIPES YEAR-ROUND.
HERB-INFUSED LIP BALM
CREATE A SOOTHING AND GENTLE PRODUCT PERFECT FOR HEALING DRY, CHAPPED LIPS.
Heart & Soul
CONSIDER SOME HEART- AND LUNG HEALTHY HERBS.
TO LIFT You Up
HERBS CAN PROVIDE EXTRA SUPPORT WHEN IT COMES TO DEPRESSION.