Managed Forest update Ontario

When the loggers had to go back to the lower sections of pines to thin that area they widened the trail going back there to make way for their huge machines. In doing so they cut a number of mature ash trees which they then put aside for me to deal with and use for future wood stove fuel.
I just recently finally got around to collecting them and hauling them out to the area where I block, split and stack any dead or damaged hardwood removed. These ash were not dead when cut so will need to dry out more before they are ready for burning but it may be a while before we get them blocked anyway!

As near as I can figure there is around 12 or 15 cord in this pile which is around two years burning for us as I do supplement my heating with some use of our propane furnace.

IMG_5456_3_1.JPG

IMG_5455_3_1.JPG
 
Spring arrives and finally the large piles of snow have mostly gone so was able to walk part way back to see how many trees or big branches were down across the trails in the hardwood section. I was quite surprised to not see that many given the heavy snow loads and strong winds this winter but I have yet to see the 10 acres or so back past the pond where the snow was still laying fairly heavily.
The melt did however reveal the pile of logs I blocked but did not split last fall, and I did spot some more hardwood logs that the Loggers left after widening the trail to get their huge equipment back to get at the pines.
Just about another month now and the Trilliums and Trout Lillies will be brightening the walk back, hopefully a bit warmer than we are today where we are again below freezing out with minus 8 forecast for tomorrow before a promised warm up. Really hoping for a lot of plant and deciduous regrowth under those pines but much clearing of pine trash tobe done before we can walk any distance in that section.

More to come once the wild leeks emerge ahead of the wild flowers ......
 
Do you have Lady Slipper Orchids in your woods? I just learned they are in Canada. I had them in the N. Ga Mountains and loved to see them each Spring.
 
We have the Showy Orchid, have not seen any Lady Slipper but I know they are in the area and there is a lot of trails to wander and there are dozens of wild flowers out back there for quite a short time.
 
I just looked the Showy up. I'll be flipped, we had those in the states too. It's crazy the wide range of climate the wild orchids can withstand.

I'm guessing they're protected the same as the Lady Slippers.
 
As I await those wild Leeks to pop up through I worry about how much trail clean up this old fellow will be able to get done this year and so have been seeking a little help in that department in return for a free camping spot for the season.
Have had an Ad in a local flyer for a while now but without any responses, given the cost of a seasonal trailer site I was hoping to find a nature enthusiast willing to help out a little. So far no takers but early days yet as season does not start here for another month yet.
Back yard_1.jpg
 
"April showers bring May flowers" is a traditional English proverb, with roots dating back to a 1610 poem”
Well I dont know about showers but we just got 24 hours of steady rain totaling around nearly 40mm whilst my cousin just a few miles further north got over 60mm. That should get rid if the last of the snow piles that only a couple of weeks ago were over head height where it slid off the barn roof and was still lining the drive where pushed aside all winter.

Meanwhile Shadow has taken to asking to go out and then standing there as I hold the door open and looking back at me saying 'but its raining out there' and changing his mind. Eventually he decides he HAS to go out and then is quite happy to wander around outside in the rain for ½ hr or more so that when he does come back in I had a VERY Soggy Doggy! Naturally he then decides he needs some extra loving and want to climb on my lap, have a large long haired collie trying ones lap on for size is always 'interesting' but a wet one is not so much fun.......

Have the spring itch and have the desire (if not the energy) to get out and start the trails clean up but looking like its going to be a week or two yet till thing dry up enough.
 
Just a couple of days ago the wild Leeks and Trout Lilly were barely showing but now are starting to leaf out so it wont be long before the woodland flowers will be starting to show. I worry about how much trail clean up this old fellow will be able to get done this year however I am getting out between rain showers with the camera and LOOKING at all those jobs!

Much of my 30 acres is left to nature but I do like to keep the many trails clear of debris so that folks, peculiarly myself, can walk back there without stumbling over logs and branches. I also hate to leave good burning wood laying whilst I have a perfectly good wood stove just across the room from my winter resting place, biggest problem is that they dont come cut n stacked.


IMG_5510_1_1.JPG

IMG_5513_1_1.JPG
 
You're greening up nicely there from what you were just a couple of weeks ago.

I was going to ask if the trails are a must for visitors but it sounds like they're not. That it's for you to navigate safely.
 
robin416 said:
I was going to ask if the trails are a must for visitors but it sounds like they're not. That it's for you to navigate safely.
Click to expand...
For many years I conducted spring and fall tours for groups of the local Field Naturalists and others but in the last couple of years between the effort to keep the trails in decent shape and never knowing if the old bones are going to tolerate a lengthy walk without frequent rests that has fallen by the wayside.
Not only did I get great pleasure in sharing my woodland with fellow nature lovers but I learned an enormous amount from a number of visitors that were far more knowledgeable than I.
Now if I could only remember even half what I learned over the last 20 years.
 
I get it. I really do but my approach to it is, I can't do it all in one day anymore so I take it in chunks. I don't let what was over ride my pleasure for what is today.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top