Ashes, Ashes

It was as recent as 2019 that the two large ash trees on our farm were covered in foliage, even though it was clear to us that there was something very wrong with them.  The Emerald Ash Borer had finally made it to rural Bremer County, and it only took a couple of years for our two friends to succumb to this invasive pest.

We didn't get overly aggressive with removing the trees for a couple of reasons.  First, the derecho really grabbed the attention of most Iowa tree specialists and second, we knew these trees would provide some habitat for our woodpeckers and other birds.

We didn't necessarily find the dead trees to be horrible to look at either, though we would have preferred the living versions of those trees.  Unfortunately, they were becoming more and more dangerous, shedding larger limbs at potentially bad moments - making it difficult for us to do the things we needed to do.

Fortunately, we did get someone to agree to come and take most of the two trees down AND chip up those branches so we could continue to find a use for our ash friends on the farm.  The trunks we left up to about a height of 20 feet.  Perhaps a woodpecker or two will still find them interesting.  Maybe we'll put a kestrel nest box in one?

But, we're all still trying to get used to the new skyline at the Genuine Faux Farm.  It just seems like there is more room for clouds and blue skies than there used to be.  Maybe that's a good thing?

We can still grieve the loss of trees we liked - there is nothing wrong with that.  But, the younger trees in the area are all friends we have planted.  We knew the ash borer was in our future, so we started several years ago to prepare for this moment.  We don't have to like that these trees died, but I think we can feel good that we're still trying to do our best to provide habitat and shelter on the farm.