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Jan 28, 2023Liked by Grandmother Birch

The photos really help visualize the process!

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Thank you Lara. I always like to see photos of people's work, so thought this would be a good way to share some of what i have been up to here on this land.

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Jan 26, 2023Liked by Grandmother Birch

I so enjoyed reading this story and feeling your dedication, passion, and knowledge. You evoke the journey of tree planting so well - all the parallels in our lives, from entering into any committed relationship or project. Really inspiring and helpful!

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Thank you Sharon!

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The stick nests are a brilliant idea! How far away did you end up placing them after the rodent predation?

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Thank you Lisa. That first winter I had the little seedlings nestled right into the brush, in fact I think the brush was sort of covering the trees. The following winter I moved the brush (which I had replenished) about a foot away from the young trunks. Each new season I replenish the stick supply since a large part of it tends to decompose over the year, and each new season I continue to move the nests further out and build the nests to be higher, since the trees now are getting taller and I don't want deer to be able to reach over. I had read somewhere a long time ago that deer do not like to get their legs tangled in a lot of sticks, which is what inspired me. Also, the larger stick nests tend to give me an idea of the expanding 'drip-line' of the trees as they grow.

I hope that is helpful information.

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Extremely helpful, and thanks for that tidbit about the deer as well. That’s some smart permaculture technique!

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