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Times -Advocate, August 7, 1991
Page 11
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New cash crop of the future?
By Rhonda Vandeworp
AILSA CRAIG - For decades
Andy Dixon has been experiment-
ing with growing trees as an agri-
cultural crop. This year his hard
work has finally been recognized
by the Ausable Bayfield Conserva-
tion Authority and other interested
parties who will tour Dixon's
grounds within the next couple
months.
Dixon's goals and philosophy are
simple: "Make a high quality log;
do it in as short a time as possible;
and do not invest too much money,
because it is a long term project."
After observing the progress of
his first group of walnut trees plant-
ed in the back four acres of his
farm in 1939, Dixon has been able
to make predictions about how to
increase the growth rate of the trees
and to experiment with these pre-
dictions on other trees planted on
his farm. '
Three thousand walnut trees were
planted by Dixon in the late 1930's.
They were pruned in order to pro-
duce a quality log, but because the
trees were planted too close togeth-
er they were soon over run by un-
derbrush competing for necessary
water and soil nutrients "just like
weeds in a cornfield," Dixon ex-
plained.
Because the trees were not
spaced properly, only 140 of the
walnut trees are still standing in
Dixon's back bush. In addition, the
rate of growth has been substantial-
ly slowed down because of the
competing underbrush.
On the other hand, the trunk di-
ameters of walnut trees which were
planted in Dixon's front lawn in
1955 are larger than the ones plant-
ed earlier. According to Dixon,
this change in growth rate is due to
the spacing and the shift from un-
derbrush to grass as a competitor.
Dixon went even one step further
in order to eliminate competitors
and decrease the harvest time of his
trees. Acres of arable soil are now
covered with White Pine, Black
Walnut, Red Oak, Eastern Cotton-
wood, White Ash, Malburry, Su-
mac, and Red Cedar which Dixon
"keeps free of weed competition
and prunes in order to get a high
Long distance friends re -united
By Rhonda
4.mo
Vandeworp
CREDITON -
Two years ago a
special friend-
ship was formed be-
tween two ninth grade students in
Napier, New Zealand.
When Molly McClure's father
took advantage of a teachers' ex-
change program on the North Is-
land, Molly went along to experi-
ence the life of a high school
student in New Zealand.
Since McClure was starting her
first year of secondary school
along with the other ninth graders,
adjusting to the public, all -girls
school was not difficult. She
quickly formed friendships includ-
tg the one -she has with Heidi
Whiteside.
McClure made the most of her
year in New Zealand, and grew to
appreciate the different customs,
school traditions, and socio-
economic structure of this island
nation. She was introduced to new
sports such as rugby, netball, crick-
et and tramping, learned of the his-
tory and geography of New Zea-
land, recognized the ethnic conflict
between the natives of Maoriland
and the British descendants, and
watched the changes in the coun-
try's economy as more and more
Japanese investors bought up local
businesses.
"New Zealand is definitely more
than just bungy-jumping!" McClure
revealed.
Two years have passed since her
stay in New Zealand, and now it's
Whitcside's turn to experience the
world of her Canadian friend at
school and at home.
"New Zealand is quite isolated
from other countries, even Austra-
lia. I wanted the chance to see an-
other country," said Whiteside.
Although she has only been here
for approximately one month, the
adventurous duo has explored more
parts of Canada than most native
residents have.
Whiteside flew into Vancouver to
meet Molly and her mother, and
spent a week in the western prov-
ince. McClure and Whiteside are
currently touring the Maritimes for
a three-week vacation before
school starts.
Whiteside is unsure of what to
expect from South Huron. Being
very athletic, she enjoys specific
sports such as swimming, spring
board diving, and downhill skiing.
However, since the Exeter school
lacks the facilities for these sports,
"Molly is making [her] do cross-
country running."
McClure's New Zealand friend
has already adapted to most of the
cultural differences she has encoun-
tered, and is looking forward to the
opportunity to fit in with her South
Huron peers.
Exchanging cultures - New Zealander Heidi Whiteside (left) will be
spending the year studying at South Huron, and living with Molly
McClure - a friendship that evolved while the McClure family was av-
ing in Napier, New Zealand.
Fun times at Hensall library
By Vanessa Cook
•
HENSALL - This Thursday eve-
ning, August 8, Rhonda Wright
will be coming to the Hensall
Branch Library to bring us anothcr
fun -filled hour of games, stories
and crafts.
Children ages five through eight
are welcome to come to the Sum-
mer Reading Program. The theme
for the program is "Pirates".
Shumeboard
High six game winners were John
Pepper with 521, Dave Woodward
510, Pearl McKnight 460, Hugh
McKay 429, Jack Consitt 416 and
Eileen Dowson with 400.
Personals
Happy anniversary to Lloyd and
Joyce Bowman on August 4.
Birthday wishes to Victoria Bow-
man on August 6.
Just thought you'd Iikc to know
there are four weeks, or 28 days, or
672 hours until school starts.
quality lumber."
Converting trees into a cash crop,
however, has not stopped Dixon
from taking advantage of some of
nature's natural growing processes.
He explains that some trees are sun
tolerant species while others being
shade tolerant grow under the al-
ready established vegetation.
Knowing this, Dixon planted rows
of poplars three years ago, and has
recently introduced red oak, a
shade tolerant species, into this
man-made ecosystem.
He also relies on the ingenuity of
today's scientists ,.to decrease the
harvest time of his trees. The spe-
cial hybrid of poplars, DN74,
which is a combination of Canadi-
an Cottonwood and Eastern Cotton-
wood, will grow in diameter one
inch per year. In seventeen years,
Dixon will be able to harvest 20"
logs for $50 a log. Considering he
spent $5 for shipping costs and the
cost of individual cutting, Dixon
considers the market for poplars a
reasonable one.
"Poplar wood isn't particularly
valuable, but it is useable. It is
used for pallet boards, veneer, and
pulp wood. There is a market for
it. There's a market for all the trees
I grow," Dixon explains.
Experimentation is one of Dix-
on's key to success. For example,
with each row of poplars he has al-
tered his pruning techniques in or
der to arrive at the perfect log.
With his small walnut trees Dixon
has been experimenting with inter -
cropping - planting corn, wheat,
oats, and rye between the widely -
spaced trees. Dixon has recorded
his observations and has recently
released a book with his findings.
"We don't ask enough questions,"
Dixon begins. "Why should we
take for granted that all the school
books are correct?" This tree farm-
er has always been questioning "the
truth" and'people are finally begin-
ning to take notice of Dixon's new
discoveries.
Swift growth - By
standing next tb one of his
poplar trees, Andy Dixon
can demonstrate the fast
rate of growth of his three-
year-old poplars. Each of
these trees started off as
a cutting.
Pick Your Own
Peaches
Red Haven Variety
Your containers
Former
Lindsay Orchards,
Bayfield 482-3366
August 9 - 24
PITCH -IN
AND
RECYCLE!
4REFOYM PUBLIC
INFORMATION
PARTItAOA MEETINGS
LONDON MIDDLESEX RIDING ASSOCIATION
Ilderton August 7, 1991 8:00 p.m.
llderton Masonic Temple
Thorndale August 14, 1991 8:00 p.m.
Thorndale Community Centre
Lambeth August 21, 1991 8:00 p.m.
Lambeth Community Centre
Lucan August 28, 1991 8:00 p.m.
Lucan Community Centre
SPEAKERS
August 7 & 14 August 21 & 28
Mr. Bob Lauder Mr. Patrick Muttart
Southwestern Ontario Vice President
Co-ordinator Oxford Riding Association
Refreshments will be served
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Mildew in the bathroom/
An exhaust fan really draws
moisture out.
Dripping hot water taps add
dollars to your energy hill.
Tap washers cost just pennies.
414
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Exeter Public Utilities Commission
379 Main Street South, Exeter, Ont. NOM 1S6 235-1350
H. DeVrI•s, Chairman M.A. Greens, Commissioner
H.L. Davis, Manager B.F. Shaw, Commissioner
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