Woodland

Summer, 2020 ~

In the almost four-years since we arrived in Iowa & moved to the Home Place -  The Timber has undergone a transformation.  When we purchased these two city lots, they were overgrown with invasive species & covered in trash.  The largest bordered Tinkle Branch Creek, so we again have a small waterway to enjoy.

Lower, Main Trail, Along the Creek~

Now - the area has become a Woodland. By definition, a Woodland in the broad sense, is land covered with trees.  A low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade.  It may support an understory of shrubs and herbaceous plants including grasses.

"Extensive efforts by conservationist groups have been made to preserve woodlands from urbanization and agriculture.  For example, the woodlands of Northwest Indiana have been preserved as part of the Indiana Dunes."

Tinkle Branch Trail~

 Though small in scope, my goal is to try to keep invasive plants out & allow native's the room to re-establish & even thrive.  "Garden - A thing of beauty & a job forever." 

Lower & upper trails merge - Tinkle Branch to the left, Cabin-Cut-off to the right~

This season I've tried to identify & learn the growing habits of the invasive weeds.  I work to eradicate them any way I can - either by pulling, spraying or mowing.  There are days, it seems a thankless task.  It took months to clean up the remaining ground clutter of trash, broken glass, wire grown into the trees, small litter & limbs.

Cabin-Cut Off trail - leading up the hill to the Cabin~

We made new sign posts - similar to the ones in the Homestead Woods.  The main ground cover, seems to be violets.  They grow huge & I prefer them to weeds!  I spent weeks this spring, transplanting hosta's, sedums & ferns to the area.  Watering has been a huge task with the dry year.  Our water bill almost doubled.

7-7-20 Flower beds~

I planted almost too much to manage - too soon.  I had the heartache of trying to save the plants from moles.  When a plant would look faded, I would check & find nothing but space around the roots, rather than soil.  I've lost several of the small Rhododendron's I'd planted this spring, even with repeated replanting attempts.

Upper Timber Trail~

 Timber Trail, goes down the hill behind the Cabin.  It merges with the Tinkle Branch trail, leading to the far west end & the Lowlands.

On Timber Trail, toward Tinkle Branch Creek~

Receiving gift plants from so many friends, allowed me to make much more progress than I could have imagined.  Those plants helped to fill in the bare areas around the trees & on the hillside.

Day Lily's - Hillsdale Lily Farm~

The Lowlands - is a secluded area at the far west end of our property.  The two adjoining properties are covered in weeds, so keeping invasive species out, is probably a pipe dream.  We've used electric wire strung from corner post to corner post, to mark the property boundaries for now.

The Lowlands~

I added a row of Pink Sparkler Spirea's - they are doing well & starting a second round of blooms!   My favorite species & the dominate one - Black Walnut!  This year, it seems like they've doubled in size!  Green, lush & such a demanding presence!   There are one or two other varieties of trees, I've yet to identify.  They struggle with the Walnuts for sunlight.

Black Walnuts~

Many thanks to my wonderful friends & plant contributors!  Clara Harold, (Gold Star!) Doris Bishop & Jeanne Bishop, Donna Dickeson, Laura Simmons Hellbusch, Jean Jaskierny & Betty Tronson.  Fingers crossed, in a year or two, those plants will be thriving!

National Wildlife Federation~

History of the Timber~