Received a box of bare root oak trees middle of last week from Musser Forests. Traveled to Slabtown to plant. The threat above the ground is from deer, it’s hard to establish an oak forest where there hasn’t been one for 200 years. The threat below the ground is from voles. Saplings get up to 3 feet tall and fall over, all their roots chewed off.
I planted 22 trees, slow going on account of armoring them against critters. Mostly I planted white oaks. Hoping they get six feet above the ground before I get six feet under.
The Virginia Department of Forestry was out of white oak seedlings by the time I called.
Today wouldn’t be as good a day for planting, snowed in CHO
Category: slabtown
minimal
In Slabtown, with our mother. No traffic, no noise, no people, no TV, no restaurants, no super bowl. Have dog, books, some food, heat. Wondering what she thinks of a place so quiet, being a city girl. This slab purchased in 1886 for $24.88 by James Masdon, subdivided out of the Millenbeck Farm. In the Woolen Mills a similar sized lot, purchased same year, cost $400.
locusville
Slabtown road, goods and services
star stuff
I miss Carl Sagan
I want to be able to see my feet
The MP3 above was recorded at the EPA’s public hearing on the Chesapeake Bay TMDL in Richmond, Wednesday October 6, 2010.
Public comments at these hearings are great, but they are not entered into the formal record as the EPA and the Commonwealth of Virginia work toward finalizing the Chesapeake Bay watershed “pollution diet”.
Public comment is being received, evaluated and recorded by the EPA. Please write them and tell them what you think. Hopefully we will live long enough to see our feet.
While you are at it, save a copy of your comments and email them to Virginia’s Governor Bob McDonnell.
starlight, firelight
night
ground fog
predawn, not a whisper of wind
Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Hyphantria cunea
The good thing. Eagle was on overwatch while I pushed the lawnmower.
On the ground, trees are defoliated by some variety of tent caterpillar. They seem to be partial to walnut and pecan trees but they are munching on the yearling oaks as well.
Silhouetted.
Hoping someone can help me with critter ID.
RMH says:
The fall webworm feeds on just about any type of deciduous tree, where leaves are chewed; branches or the entire tree may become defoliated. Worldwide, it has been recorded from 636 species,[6] and is considered to be among the most polyphagous of insects. In the eastern U.S., pecan, walnut, American elm, hickory, fruit trees, and some maples are preferred hosts; in some areas persimmon and sweetgum are also readily eaten. In the west, alder, willow, cottonwood and fruit trees are commonly used.–Wikipedia
Slabtown Road
