I haven’t followed my tree, a linden or basswood (Tilia americana), since August. The reason is simple — in September and October I was travelling during the time when the Tree Following meme (originally hosted by Lucy Corrander of Loose and Leafy and as of this month hosted by Squirrelbasket) was open. But I’m at Glen Villa today, so a post about my tree’s progress since August seems only right.
Photos are the clearest way to chronicle the changes, from the green of late August to the green touched with yellow of mid September.
The one touch of yellow makes me think of a trendy young woman who dyes a single lock of her hair an odd colour. Not that yellow is odd…
In those early autumn days, the tree had a nostalgic air about it, as if it were yearning for the long days of summer. Or was it downcast, annoyed by those who were gathering around?
Wild turkeys enjoyed munching on the grass and whatever it offered.
Wild turkeys were rare in our area until a dozen or so years ago. Now they are common, but still intriguing to look at. A close-up shows how prehistoric these birds look — like small dinosaurs with creepy, crêpe-y, jowls and feathery backs that seem as hard as a soldier’s helmet.
Wild turkeys are said to be tastier than the farm-grown ones available in grocery stores. I’m sure they are although I can’t attest to it, never having tried.
By late September, the tree had turned from green to almost-gold.
The linden tree’s perfection is its shape. Standing alone at the end of a big sweep of grass, it has power of place.
The peak of autumn colour lasts only a short time and I was away when the linden was at its golden prime. By the time I returned, its colours were starting to fade and leaves to fall.
As colour fades and leaves drop, the outline of the branches become clearer.
The linden is bare now, leaving only a pattern of branches against the sky.
Almost too dark to see is the bench that circles the linden. It was one of the first things we installed at Glen Villa after we acquired the property in 1996.
With only one month remaining in 2015, this will probably be my last post on the linden. But before ending this year’s tree chronicle, let me tell you what I plan for the area around it.
This summer we were plagued by Canada geese. Despite all our efforts — and they were many — the geese came almost daily, and in increasing numbers. They made the big lawn that showcases the linden so beautifully almost impossible to walk on.
Grandchildren enjoyed chasing the geese away, but the blasted birds returned the moment the grandchildren left. Those posts in the background supported a useless fence. We put it up before the baby geese could fly, thinking that would stop them from coming onto the lawn, but the parents simply led the babies the long way around.
Some research and more personal experience tells me that these geese do not like long grass. So next year, we will begin the process of converting lawn to meadow. To make this conversion look deliberate, and for our own convenience and comfort, we will mow a path that circles the linden and sweeps across the grass towards the house. We may mow other paths as well, to create a series of circles and spirals. In the photo below you can see the beginning of that path, mown sometime in September.
You can see the beginning of the mown path in this photo. It will circle the linden to the width of the branches before spiralling out across the lawn.
I like the pattern that mown strips can make but I worry that the paths will be hidden in the longer grass and that the meadow grasses will detract from the stateliness of the linden tree. I also wonder if we can make this conversion without digging up the whole lawn and starting afresh, something I’d really like to avoid. This winter I’ll be reading everything I can find that deals with this topic. Thankfully, it seems to be a timely one, as more and more people become concerned with biodiversity and more naturalized plantings. I know that a lot of information is available, and I know I will need to learn a lot before I am comfortable with what I’m doing. I also think the conversion will take a couple of years and a certain amount of trial and error.
If anyone has advice on how to proceed or suggestions about books I should consult, please let me know. I welcome your ideas.
Such a spectacular tree, in all seasons!
And as for the wild turkeys (and the geese), they are an amazing surprise.
Thank you for keeping us up to date with your linden.
All the best 🙂
Thanks for this feedback, Pat. It’s been a while since I’ve heard from you, so welcome back!
They don’t like dogs!
Neither do my allergies!
Delightful tree. http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/home/8-ways-deal-goose-invasion
This is a great link, Alison. Pesticides are banned in Quebec and we can’t cut to the water’s edge so, in effect, I’ve already tried those suggestions. I’m happy to know that long grass is a deterrent, as I suspected. The trick for me, I believe, will be to keep them off the grass early in the season. Like deer, if they find tastier territory, perhaps they will leave my space alone.
I don’t think long grass will detract from your tree. I hope the geese don’t find the paths to be sufficient mown area for their needs.
I worry about the width of the paths, too, Kathy. But before the baby geese can fly, they will have to walk across unmown grass to get to them. I hope that will be sufficient deterrent.
A dog keeps the geese away on the Royal Ottawa Golf Course. Perhaps a neighbour could bring his/her dog over daily if you are allergic? The National Capital Commission tried the long grass but didn’t seem to be successful. You might want to contact them since they are forever trying different methods.
This is very helpful information, Liz. I’m sorry to hear about the lack of success at NCC. Any idea of who to contact there?
Dogs aren’t a possibility for me, I’m afraid, and borrowing a neighbour’s dog isn’t either. I’m going to stick with long grass and smelly sprays that also taste bad, at least for now.
I’ll try and find a contact for you at the NCC.
The person you should speak to at the NCC is Mario Fournier, Mgr. Life Cycle and Rehabilitation (613) 239-5678 Ext. 5226. Apparently the program of leaving grass long has been successful. Where it has not been successful is where they are required to cut the grass close to the parkway. Apparently the City of Ottawa is experimenting with drones!
This is VERY helpful, Liz. I really appreciate it. And it tells me that I am on the right track. Drones… not so sure!
Thank you VERY much for following up on this. Not sure I’m into drones — long grass is a lot easier!
I remember that tree very well, it is magnificent. I think letting the grass grow is a fine idea, it will give the area a meadow-like feel. At the Chicago Botanic Garden they used sheepdogs to deter the geese, but then you have to take care of the dog.
No dogs for me, Jason. Drones have been suggested! I am getting excited about the transformation to meadow.
I don’t plan to have a dog — too much responsibility. People have suggested borrowing a neighbour’s dog but that seems awfully complicated. So long grass it is!
Great! For information about meadowscaping, I can recommend Catherine Zimmerman’s book and other efforts, found at http://themeadowproject.com. I heard her speak on the topic at our library two years ago. My eyes were opened! Also excellent is Larry Weaner.
Robin, this link is extremely interesting. I’ve read a lot about Doug Tallamy and Larry Weaner but Catherine Zimmerman’s name is new to me, as is the meadow project. Thank you for the suggestions.
I loved seeing your tree transition from late summer to late autumn. It really does have a perfect shape.
I agree, Jean. I used to describe the tree as the Platonic idea of ‘tree’ until I realized that not everything was a philosophy graduate! Now I just describe it as beautiful.