Crow’s Nest: What goes up…

By Daniel Barringer, Preserve Manager.

We’ve had a challenging few weeks cleaning up from storms at the beginning of August. We cleaned up the trees along the roadsides fairly quickly and gradually worked our way out to trails and other areas.

In the forest it is fine to let a fallen tree feed the forest and we look forward to seeing what will rejuvenate there. But near buildings and in farm fields, those we clean up. Many trees that fell in this storm were root or soil failures—there was no outward sign of defect and yet they were knocked down. This walnut tipped over behind the spring house, just one of dozens of trees that fell.

During the same period of time we grappled with some equipment failures: a chainsaw down, a brush cutter with a broken gear box, the tractor with a hydraulic leak that also meant it had no brakes. I’m pleased to say we’re back on top of these problems, for now. And we’re down to just the last few trees down in farm fields. We are grateful to the volunteers who helped with downed branches and equipment repairs.

It has proven to be an unusually busy summer with no time off yet. But things are looking up, sure as the sun rises. The summer wet-meadow wildflowers are spectacular and the preserve has been glorious. Enjoy these photos of dawn in the eastern deciduous forest (above) and a view from above of the Chief’s Grove (below).