After almost accidentally importing a new invasive species onto the Bear Creek Wilderness, we had a brief review of invasive weeds, focused on shining geranium. My perspective on invasive plants is far from fixed, and although I’m clear about some things (like we should do our best not to spread them) how to deal with an already abundant non-native species is sometimes less obvious. Still, even without all the answers, I feel it’s important to educate others about how to identify key species that are rapidly transforming the landscape.
One rainy/snowy day we went out to explore the woods and found so many treasures! Bones, for one.
Greenwood material for carving, too. We were careful to select a living tree that was about the right size for our needs, but with a low probability of long-term survival. We chose a small cherry that was growing very close to a larger tree and already showed signs of becoming suppressed. It was on a steep hill, covered in thick growth, so not the easiest for us to harvest- but with teamwork, we succeeded.
And Sierra and Ani harvested SO MUCH chinkapin. It must be a bumper crop year for the chinkapin trees.
They were determined to shell them for eating. You must use good gloves or your hands will be shredded.
Then they washed them in the creek.
That day we opted for lunch inside with a fire and they finished the process by toasting them on the woodstove with some sugar syrup. Most of us tried them. They tasted like… sweet wood!
Gaberial was impatient to get started on carving, so he used part of his lunch for practice.
At last a sunny day! We could finally use our journals during sit spots.
The forest was filled with blooming wildflowers.
And the greenwood cherry blanks I had roughed out the week before and stored in my freezer were ready for carving spoons! Do you see the picture below? It was so warm that day we actually went to sit in the shade.
Sierra got a good start on her spoon.
Sam had his own, unique ideas about what he wanted to carve.
Fen stayed focused, worked hard, and finished his spoon in one sitting!
Sitting barefoot by the pond during coffee time with these two made me so happy. The pond is coming to life! We saw several frogs and newts, as well as water boatmen and caddisflies. That day last week with our little group in the sun- it felt like all was right in the world.
