Trees

Trees do so much for us. They also do so much for the surrounding environment. They slow the pounding rain. They cycle nutrients. They store carbon. They provide habitat for birds. They provide food for insects. Protection for certain animals.

Elm

Shagbark Hickory – one of pur most prized trees on the farm. Hickories are renowned as a valuable tree as it is unbeknownst to many, home of the Indiana bat. They produce wonderful mast (nuts from a tree) for all of our animals to eat.

White Oak- slower growing, we only have a few white oaks. The Burr Oak, famous for the biggest acorns, is one example. The wood is harder but the trees only produce a heavy crop of acorns every few years.

Red Oak much faster growing than white oak varieties. Wonderful producer of acorns. These acorns are higher in tannins and therefore not as pleasant as white oak acorns. However, still a necessary crop as these acorns last all winter and anything high in tannins acts as a dewormer. We have over 75 red oaks.

Red Maple- while we don’t have very many, they are a critical early source of pollen for pollinators.

Black Locust one of the most hated essential trees to ever exist. We absolutely adore this tree. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil. The wood is an amazing local fence post source. It coppices really well. It is amazing grazing for the livestock… it cast a light shade enabling thick forage underneath. One of the best hard woods for fire in our area.

Black Walnut – most valuable of all our tree species. We hope to use most of the trees on our property for our retirement. Most sought after veneer wood pf any local tree. Casts a light shade. Produces hard nuts edible to mpst large hogs.

Eastern Red Cedar another good fence post species. Essential in windbreaks and for bird habitats. Does cause issues of cedar rust on our apple trees. Here you can see us building an h brace using cedar. The outer portions are rot resistant; only the center heartwood. So we lightly burn the outside to slow decay and prevent

Willow – water lover. Wispy branches are wonderful fooder for our rabbits. Grows extremely well near water.

Green Ash our local super grower. Has recently met utter demise at the hands of the japanese emarld borer beetle. Wonderful hard wood. Great for furniture and firewood. Host for many local insect eggs. Perfectly suited for our environment.

Honeysuckle an invasive blessing. So abhored by so many, we try to manage its regrowth by letting the livestock eat the regrowth. We get a great quality feed and weed control. Most grows near streems and roadsides where birds drop the seeds.

Apple the best fruit tree so far on our farm. A wonderful source of shade. Hopefully a great future income.

Pear

Peach

Plum

Cherry- wild cherry is an amazing wood to smoke meats with and is quote beautiful with its bark and its flowers.

Chestnut

hazelnut