Relative Something

The weather was gorgeous yesterday, allowing me to take on the project of clearing our trails of fallen trees that came down in high winds that accompanied recent snowstorms. There was one large poplar that we’ve been needing to step over as it landed across our most-used path on morning walks with Asher.

When it came down, it knocked another tree over, and they both landed at an intersection of two pathways, interfering with both. We don’t need the firewood. I’ve got a backlog of cut wood waiting to be split.

No problem. I have a new inspiration upon the discovery of author/forester Ethan Tapper and his advice on maintaining a healthy forest.

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I now feel we have permission to leave downed wood lying on the ground as future nutrients for the soil, cover for wildlife, and protection from overbrowsing by deer.

We just have to recalibrate our sensibilities as to what looks like neglect and start framing it as healthy complexity.

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