Reclaiming What I Lost

Each year, in the winter, I work at improving the woodland (my "would-be-woods" I tend to call it).  I have easier access to it this time of the year...each summer it fills in densely with pioneer species (such as goldenrod).  I'd be okay if it were just native species that are intermediate in the succession process, but all too often I have non-natives and invasives--mainly mugwort.  The mugwort has run rampant in the woodland since I last cleared it.

I'm embarrassed to show how I let the mugwort out of hand.

After cutting back the forsythia, the bare ground underneath 

erupted in mugwort.

The woodland, though not as overgrown, has its share of 

mugwort as well.

Last weekend, while walking the property, I decided to venture into the woodland which has been mostly off limits to me over the past 6 months or more.  With hope that this will be a year of vast improvements, I set off for the camera and the sickle.  I ended up cutting through the mostly fallen mugwort to make the paths more visible and more viable.  I made it through the main path (the one that was most grown in as well) and part way through a thicker section above (and on the edge of) the woodland.  Later, in the spring, a biologist from the WHIP program is supposed to come to check out what I have growing and to make suggestions about the best way to remove the invasives.
Of the small trees, I've been putting in each spring, the one that has impressed me the most so far, is the spicebush.  It has grown tall and filled in nicely--the biggest of the five or so that I put in so far.  I'm assuming this is the perfect site for it.

The spicebush I put in is going strong...

it is hard to see from the photo, but it is taller 

than me, and well on its way to maturity.

We got things done in the house yesterday, and today, I worked on the outside.  I still have to get my seeds planted in the next couple of weeks, but all in all it has been a good, and fairly productive winter. :)

It's No Joke

From today:

Before...

...and After:

I realize they look virtually the same...but at the time I wanted an after photo--I had just planted some wild geranium that I divided to spread into the woodland section I'm working on.  However, they have yet to sprout and are covered with soil.  Don't ask me why I felt the need to take an after shot! 

Maybe in a few weeks, after it has leafed out, I'll have a more dramatic after photo.

Here is what is (honestly) in the ground scattered among the rocks:  

March Madness

I am not a basketball fan, and I don't follow March Madness, but the title seems somehow appropriate to describe the past week or two.  After being cooped up all winter with little motivation to work on my project during the winter like I normally do, I got outside and got inspired.  Despite the temperatures being below normal over the past two weeks, I've been doing a lot in the yard...every day for more than a week...even after work, I have gone out and dragged myself in when the light was failing.

Mostly I've been focused on the pocket woodland (my "would-be woods" as I've often referred to it). Come summer, this sparsely treed area grows in too thickly for me to get through the paths--and my focus by then has turned to the meadow, pond/stream bed, and various other projects.  Winter allows me access to the "woods" and allows me a chance to assess my progress.  It also exposes the many rocks and boulders along the slope.  Some I want to showcase, while others I want to move to use in the stream bed.

The beauty of the boulders have really motivated me to get this section shaded enough to keep down the weeds so I can enjoy this nearly half-acre part of our yard year round.  I plan to add a lot of trees this year--mostly things I've already got growing, such as the silver maples that have appeared in the meadow, some black cherry trees that I have in pots and in a starter bed, sumac, quaking aspen, black locust, black poplar, (all fast growers) and various other tree seedlings.  I also plan to buy a couple of tulip trees whose flowers I hope to be able to view from above while at the top of the slope.  The slower growing oaks, shagbark hickory, and any others I want to add, will fill in under the shade of the pioneer species.

Crevices for wildlife such as salamanders--I found a few the other day.

Aside from all of my plans for adding trees, understory trees/shrubs, and wildflowers, I have been moving rocks--some quite large.  I am trying my best to maintain the holes, crevices, and possible tunnels for any critters that make them their homes.  At the same time, I am trying to stabilize the slope; many of the rocks are loose and doing nothing to hold back erosion.




I have grand plans for this section and plan to use my favorite park from where I used to live in Western PA as inspiration.  The slope, rocks, and various levels really lend themselves to viewing wildflowers at eye level (as well as at the foot of the path).  I hope it is not too long before I have pictures to post of a more established woodland, replete with wildflowers.

First I had to rake away last years growth to expose the rocks.

Imagine this as a full woodland with trees of various girths, 

understory trees, ferns, and wildflowers. 

"Before" photo..give me a few years for some beautiful "After" shots.

Another beauty for the stream bed.

Originally I pulled this out for the pond/stream bed...but, as I did

with a couple of others, I incorporated it into the hillside slope 

(see below).

The thin, flat rock just right of center didn't have the right presence...

So, I added the rock (from above) which, to me, makes the whole 

composition a thing of beauty.  Just wait until the woodland 

wildflowers grace the slope.  The funny thing is, in the back of 

my mind (although I can't be sure) I have to wonder if I didn't 

take it from that exact spot in the first place! :)