Very Upset

[Birding Bunch]

Our property has few trees considering its size, so we always enjoyed walking down the road where there is a line of trees. We suspect there used to be a homestead there as one shed still stood. Then beyond that is an unmowed pasture used for grazing, then the tree lined creek.

Well, as I speak that first tree line is going down. This is more than a little upsetting because there were patches of trees here and there, but one by one they are going down to work that one or two additional acres because the price of farmland is going up, up. I am not good with history, but weren't a lot of these trees put up to hinder erosion? Last year a house with all the extra buildings and trees were torn down and burned. My husband figured all that work gave them 3 acres to work with.

It's their property, so they can do what they want I suppose , but I wonder how many nests are being destroyed, based on all the bird activity we see here. I am feeling more than a little heart sick right now. I like our meadow birds, but wish we had more trees so those evicted had a place to go.

[Gloria]

Sorry to hear that. I hate to see established stands of woodland or meadow turned to agricultural trying to wring a few extra dollars from the soil. The added erosion and chemical imput is bad enough but small wooded areas like that are known to be habited by many bees and other pollinators that farmers with wind pollinated crops will not concern themselves.
There is much you can accomplish but sometimes, some places are out of your hands.

[dapjwy]

I would be heart-sick, too.

I know you can't replace what was lost in an instant, but perhaps you could start your own patch in a small section of your yard--I know you like your meadow, but perhaps you can find a spot for some trees. Edge habitat is supposed to be very productive for wildlife.

[benj1]

Tch! Tree-lined roads are good for the soul as well as the wildlife.

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by benj1

Tch! Tree-lined roads are good for the soul as well as the wildlife.

You said it, benj!

[sprucetree]

It's possible too that the AG Dept. stopped paying the farmers to keep it in Un-Plowed condition but that normally is 10 acre tracts for ten years,, Americans didn't start planting trees till after the Dust Bowl. Now the big thing is No-Till where I guess they leave the stalks to decay. I say guess because after the round-up and ammonium sulfate how much fungi and bacteria is in the soil to utilize it. A good movie to see about the dust bowl is called "Grapes of Wrath".

[Gloria]

Prairie or meadows are habitat for many birds and other wildlife species so changing to woodland is not necesary to protect birds. Here in Illinois many trees have been removed for restoration projects even where savanna is the aim. My favorite walks these days are through some of the older prairie restoration projects where every step brings something new and amazing to light.
The problem with tree removal in small pockets such as this and the one in my own neighborhood recently is the land use after removal. Another couple of acres of agricultural land or one more bloody mall is the ususal "land improvement" intended.

[BooBooBearBecky]

Originally Posted by benj1

tch! Tree-lined roads are good for the soul as well as the wildlife.

I agree benj1, I LOVE my tree lined road!

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by BooBooBearBecky

I LOVE my tree lined road!

Great shots, 4-B! You could start a thread with those...or at least enter them in the POM contest if you can remember what month they were taken.

[GonativeAlex]

The problem with planting a tree on your property is you have no control over what the next homeowners will do to it. Trees outlive people so its impossible to protect it from the next homeowner that buys the property. Unless of course you sell the land to the DNR.