We cut a couple of the pine trees down for fence posts, and I noticed in amongst the alders, a mess of baby pine trees. From about 8 inches to three feet high, there's a little forest trying to take root in this corner. The bigger pines have sprouted up substantially as well in the past 6 years. There should be enough fence posts right there to finish the repairs on section 3, and start on the following section.
I'm cutting back the alders, making space for the new little pines to take over. Without having to fight for sunlight and nutrients they should sprout up much quicker, straighter, and stronger.
Alders are a bushy little tree with a common root. They sprout up and overtake clearings in the woods in no time, it seems. They never get more than three inches thick, and then the stems start to rot. There's always new growth though, so it's a constant battle to keep them cleared from trails and clearings. They also tend to wind their way through the fence wire, stretching and breaking it as they grow. I'm cutting them out of this area, taking a few small pieces of firewood from the larger stems, leaving the tops to decompose amongst the pines.
The Littles load the firewood in the trailer while the Bigs dig post holes and work on the fence.
That's good that you can even grow your own fence posts! Do goats like alders? I as thinking if goats could be staked there, you would have a handy, dandy clean up crew. Wisteria does the same damage to my fences.
ReplyDeleteThe goats and cows will both eat the leaves, but no, it's not one of their favourite things. They're much happier in my flower beds, lol.
DeleteYour wisteria is much worse! At least the alders grow mostly upwards instead of vining around through the fence!