The other highlight of the Bruce Trail property that I'm the Land Steward for is the big trees, some VERY big trees. It's just a small area, but I really like getting in to the far corner of the property where I see these big trees.
This group of big trees is actually the line of trees along the edge of old fields; it's just a short line, but there are about a dozen big trees.
On the other side of that line today is this pine plantation. They must have reforested the field about 40 years ago. Unfortunately they planted Red Pine, which does poorly on these calcareous soils, and never thinned them. The overly tall and thin trees are actually a disaster today!
But the deciduous forest is beautiful, mostly Sugar Maple, but now only the Beech trees still have their leaves. There's a large cluster of Beech saplings, which may well hold their leaves all winter.
Beech saplins usually grow from the roots of a giant older Beech tree, and here's the parent of all these small trees - crashed to the ground years ago, but now creating a whole new generation through its roots.
There are several other big Beech along the trail, though we're suffering from the Beech Scale disease here, and may lose many of these.
There's also a huge old fallen Sugar Maple that I revisit every year. With three huge trunks, it crashed to the ground in three directions.
And there's been a whole series of big bracket fungi that have grown on the 8 foot stump, with new ones showing up every year..
There's other evidence of the farm that this property used to be, like this old fencerow and cedar rails, now buried in the forest.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy both raises funds to purchase land, and receives donations of land from private landowners. Part of this land was purchased, and part was donated by the Harshman family several years ago.
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Another incredibly beautiful November day, warm enough to be outside without a jacket. I successfully 'graduated' from the cardiac rehab program held at the Y in Owen Sound. I've been going up there twice a week for 3 months, and learned how to match my target heart rate to my exercise effort. Now the challenge is to keep it up here at home. Hope it makes me healthier than ever!
Congrats on the rehab! We don't have Beech Trees in this part of Minnesota so it was fun to see them...although I wouldn't like them in my yard if they don't shed their leaves until way late:)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the rehab success! I didn't know that the Bruce trail has a conservancy aspect to it but it is wonderful to hear that it does. I seem to hear about the Nature Conservancy all the time - they must have $$ to advertise.
ReplyDeleteWell done to pass all the rehab tests. And beautiful trees, the tall ones, pity they weren't limbed then felled. Guess nature and strong gale winds will deal to them eventually.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving all the fall colors in your photos. Glad you are successfully done with rehab. And probably way healthier than before.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely place to walk. Keep up the health-promoting exercise! Regarding the young beeches that hold their leaves all winter, I have often puzzled because I see them often as solitary specimens in almost exclusively pine woods, without a single mature beech tree in sight.
ReplyDeletecongrats on the graduation! Love the photos of the area.
ReplyDeleteWell done on your rehab. I am sure you will follow through at home. Those big trees have to be good for the soul and the heart.
ReplyDeletei do love trees...most people don't pay much attention to them. these are big and beautiful!!!!
ReplyDeletekeep pushing forward, having your health is more important than anything!!!
First ,congrats on your rehab, now you off and running ! Lovely photos . I love trees of all kinds and fungi lol ! That's wonderful to donate the property, the weather has been beautiful sunny and temps hitting 20C here wish it could stay like this ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good day
ReplyDeleteTall and skinny trees, in fact. Great pictures today.
ReplyDeleteGood for you an congratulations on your rehab success. : )
ReplyDeleteNice post on the different trees.
We have a lot of the little beech ones up at HT.
Good for you on the rehab. Beautiful shots... very fall like!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful old trees! I like the old maple that split 3 ways. It is nice to see the beech trees growing from the 'mother' one too. such a beautiful place for a walk. I wish we were going to get that nice warm weather here but won't complain if it hits 13 on Friday. I'm glad you have graduated your cardiac rehab program. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the rehab success!! What a beautiful place to walk. I have a "thing" for trees -- the seem to me the silent story keepers of old. If you learn to listen to them, you can learn so much. Or, at least it seems that way. I miss walking in my late grandparents sugar maple bush.
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