The Rural Voice, 2001-10, Page 31Woodlots are a place of
'adventure for children.
intoconsideration the variety of plant
species and habitats that exist in it.
Again, back in my youth I learned
that I had a good chance of putting
up a deer that had bedded down for
the day, if I visited an area of thick
underbrush. I found their trails, or
runs, often led to a grove of aspen
where they browsed, or to the old oak
tree where they fed on acorns. Other
times, I walked the leaf litter near the
creek that ran along side the bush in
hopes of flushing a woodcock. I also
learned which red cedars were the
favourite roost trees of our resident
long-eared owl.
Fortunately, Dad had planted a
variety of local trees in our
woodlot, all taken with
permission from other nearby woods.
The resultant mix of native species,
already well adapted to the area,
allowed the trees to quickly fill their
niche. For example, a section of the
woodlot that has especially poor
drainage quickly returned to a natural
wetland, characterized by soft
maples, ash and cedar (and home to a
host of creatures) specifically
adapted to the seasonally -flooded
conditions. Dad's selections also
included a number of important food
or mast trees such as oak, hickory,
walnut, and black cherry.
We kept trails small and to a
minimum, allowing for a healthy mix
of forest plants and shrubs to take
hold. Today, the health of our
woodlot is enhanced not only by the
mix of species, but also by the range
in their age and size — including a
healthy under -story, young saplings
and )nature trees.
While over many years our
woodlot has yielded wood, syrup,
nuts and game for our family, we
have also hiked it, photographed it,
and camped in it (as have a few Boy
Scout troops). But most certainly, our
plan is to continue to reap inspiration
and enjoyment from it — with a few
more science projects yet to come.°
1111*****111*1*
ALAN g A
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A CONSULTING A
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* Desboro, Ontario 519-794-9992 *
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RIVER
PHEASANT
GAME FARM
Game Bird Hunting Preserve
Live and dressed Pheasants
Quail and Wild Turkey
Hatchery
RR #7, Lucknow, Ont., NOG 2H0
519-529-7855
Nordique 1" Cordwood portable saw, 3 pt. hitch
A. J. HAUGH Ea., R.R. 1, Brucefield NOM 1J0
Open: Mon. - Fri. 8-12 a.m. & 1-5 p.m.
Sat., Sun. & evenings by appointment
Call for the name of your local dealer:
Phone: 519-522-0248 (Allan Haugh)
Fax: 519-522-0138
DAVID E. GREIN
LOGGING
Buyer of Standing
& Felled Hardwood Timber
& Bush Lots
• Competitive Pricing
• Quality Workmanship
• Over 20 Years Experience
R.R.#1 Neustadt (519) 799-5997
Logging & Timber Appraisals / Forest Management Consulting
B.
FOILSIJIY
SERVICE LTD.
BRUCE KROPF Telephone 519-655-2703
R.R. 1, Shakespeare, Ontario NOB 2P0
Mobile 519-748-7422
"Always Buying Standing Timber and Cut Logs"
OCTOBER 2001 27