The Elm tree came down while we were away. I spent the weekend cleaning up the backyard, gutters, mowing and just communing with the new reality. The families of Robins, Blue Jays, Cardinals and a bunch of smaller birds that I have watched grow up from fletchings to return every year. This massive presence is gone. From hundreds of perches in the elm to nothing fences and power lines has really impacted their lives. I am not covering my blueberry bushes this year, the harvest was diminished by the elm branches covering all six bushes over the past five weeks. I placed a garbage can lid upside down in my crushed raised planter bed and filled it with water hoping to help these bird colony’s.
The yard will be a clean slate once the stumps are ground. We removed an Ash three years ago due to emerald ash borer. But the 90 foot crown of the elm will never be matched for our property in my lifetime. Here is a shot showing how large the trunk was.
It could rain for ten minutes before the rain could penetrate the canopy of this tree. I will forever be grateful I was able to enjoy 23 years of this tree.
Where I’m at in Kentucky it hasn’t rained in the past few weeks so I put out the sprinkler today and in minutes the Robins were calling out and eating blueberries and worms. I’m hoping to see all these birds back next year. I hope they notice I’m trying.
I have no idea where to go next. If anyone have any insight or next step guidance I would love to hear from you. -Jim