Bringing Nature Home
Jay 6a Chicago
8 months ago
last modified: 29 days ago
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Jay 6a Chicago
21 days agoIris S (SC, Zone 7b)
20 days agolast modified: 20 days agoRelated Discussions
Doug Tallamy on Prunus serotina
Comments (7)I've got at least a couple dozen P. serotina in this yard (1.25 acres), ranging from numerous young trees, to about a half dozen middle aged trees (25-50 years old). All are growing in the back yard. They grow up to become a large and rangy tree, with a loose form and dark craggy bark in older age. They are quite weedy, so they've naturalized around the back yard - and some years there are lots of seedlings that I have to weed out of the back garden. Such a great wildlife tree, but not the most ornamental tree. Also, black cherry is the source of wood for cherry cabinets and furniture. That is amazing that D. Tallamy's small trees are hosting so many lep larvae. Perhaps he doesn't have much in the way of host plants or predators in his neighborhood? I've never found any caterpillars when looking over the small P. serotina, but I don't look that often....See MoreThoughts From The Belly - March 2008
Comments (3)Thanks Dan, for another delightful "belly thought"! Tolerating a little herbivore browsing in your garden reminds me of what the folks at the Jack Daniels Distillery call the "Angel's Share". Your idea of amnesty for the insect world reminded me of this poem. ********* Familiar whine in my ear You settle on my forearm Prepare to pierce my skin with your proboscis I raise my hand to strike Wait! What if I let you complete the cycle? You might feed the songbird Who cheers my day. Your larvae might feed the minnow Who feeds the fingerling Who feeds the pike Who feeds me. You might be a meal For the brown bat Whose guano fertilizes Tomatoes for my salad. SMACK! But not today. by Deborah K. Frontiera...See MoreBringing Nature Home - new book!
Comments (11)If you check through several different states either Conservation or Natural Resources departments many of the plants suggested for wildlife and nature plantings are both invasive and originate in another country. I used to spend Saturday mornings listening to well known writers extoll about the native plants for birds and butterflies. Then when I checked most were considered invasive not just in my area but in other parts of the US. Giving you a Chinese wisteria does not suprise me at all....See MoreBooks, movies or shows that changed you?
Comments (25)“A Language Older Than Words” by Derrick Jensen. Felt like something written by a kindred soul, really incredible. And he’s alive and can be reached on Facebook! He has a lot of other good books, too. Especially “Thought To Exist in the Wild” and “Dreams”. I also had an astounding experience at a poetry reading when I was in college. Most times readings are pleasant, at best, or thought-provoking, but James Tate’s poetry reading was HILARIOUS. Not in a cheesy jokey way, but in a surreal, absurd, and shockingly silly way. The crazy imagery/scenarios would just build and build until the entire audience (it was a big audience) was roaring with laughter, including me. And I do not generally laugh easily, at least not deep belly laughs (I’m one of those quiet laughers). I don’t even know how he did it because when you just read his poetry on your own it’s pleasant and amusing but not laugh out loud funny! It was a really special experience perhaps once in a lifetime. I feel grateful to have been part of it!...See MoreJay 6a Chicago
20 days agoIris S (SC, Zone 7b)
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Jay 6a ChicagoOriginal Author