Trees of Bon Bon Acres

Introducing Juglans cinerea

Around Bon Bon Acres, nothing is quite as exciting as discovering new trees.  A couple years ago, a lone brave sapling rose up from the pasture weeds soon to be followed by others of its kind.   

The identity of this new resident has remained a mystery until this autumn when I enlisted the aid of my neighbors via Stillwater’s Nextdoor website.  After a hearty discussion, it was determined the flora in question is a Butternut tree, also known as White Walnut.   

This hardwood is a cousin to the Black Walnut and is very important to wildlife thanks to its delicious nuts.  They grow to be lovely trees and I look forward to their maturation!

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Autumn's Splendor

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Black Walnuts Update

This is an update to last autumn’s  pasture planting project. I’m proud to report that thanks to a wet summer, the black walnut saplings are doing great. The first season is traditionally a struggle as the young sprouts fight for survival among the bromegrass and multitude of weeds that are firmly established in the pasture.  Once the baby hardwoods, however,  reach the critical stage where they surpass the other vegetation, they should be home free. Fingers and toes crossed for a moisture-filled second half of the summer.

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Weeds Be Gone

 

here’s a lot to be done around Bon Bon Acres during the summertime but my favorite task by far is weeding.  In a relatively short period of time you can make a great deal of difference.  The boxelder tree by the end of the driveway is a great example. Three years ago our friend Jeff gave us the gift of nearly 300 hostas.  Most were planted close to the house and gazebo but we decided to design a plant ring around the lovely tree that greets visitors as they enter the property. Somehow, amidst the myriad of chores and starting a new business, this area got away from me and was taken over by weeds and hungry deer.  The result has been stubby plants buried under thistle, milkweed, bromegrass, buckthorn and other invaders. Today I set out to reclaim what was mine and I’m proud to say “mission accomplished!”

When the weeding was finished I topped off the project with a healthy bath of “Deer Stopper.”  I just finished my second gallon of this miracle juice as I made a vow this season to serve and protect the hostas and annual flowers. In years past I started with the stopper but screwed up and forgot subsequent treatments.  Beware, my dear deer, not this year.

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Before

After

Who says boxelders can't be beautiful!

 

Cotton Time

t’s snowing in June at Bon Bon Pond. Just when I think I have spring cleaning under control the annual mess known as cottonwood seed spraying time arrives. Long strips of the white fluffy sticky cottony substance are everywhere. Thanks to Saturday evening’s rain, though, this year’s crop appears to have ended early.

Oh well, I guess it’s a minor inconvenience to weather for the presence of such stately, graceful and majestic trees. 

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Lumberjacking Update

The troublesome tree that toppled in front of the porch, nearly taking down the steps railing, has finally been felled.  Known in the trades as a “widow maker,” the unfortunate oak had fallen into one of its siblings.  Wedged tightly, it took some real lumberjacking skill to safely get the beast to the ground.  Many thanks to Bon Bon Pond’s best friend, Jeff, for his skill and steady hand.  Later in the season, the carcass will  be cut, split and stacked for future firewood.  Nothing goes to waste in the country.

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