When one plants, it is always with awareness of the threats – frost, aphids, jumping worms, caterpillars, locusts, woodchucks, browsing deer, so many challenges! In spite of the proximity to the Mascoma RIver, we did not anticipate the threat of beavers. But the Russet apple tree, planted near the MRG Umbrella sculpture, during Climate Action Week, September 2019, has been felled. Hope springs eternal; we have an offer of a scion graft – will it take? Stay tuned!
Bart Guetti shoveling a path to reach the snowbound MRG apple trees by APD
Susan Johnson and Bart part of Lebanon’s new Pruning Brigade!
At least 5 Lebanon residents took advantage of Upper Valley Apple Corps free fruit tree pruning workshop this past Saturday and are now equipped to care for fruit trees that have been planted in Lebanon with the help of Apple Corps. There are 3 apple trees on the MRG, one at Lebanon Library, and 2 pear trees at Kilton Library. February is a good time to prune, while the tree is dormant . . . but first you have to shovel a path to the tree.- that snow was wet and heavy!
Aready planning an apple pie! (Thanks to Bart Guetti for photo)
One of many bright spots along the MRG! Many bees . . . and a rare sighting of a Monarch butterfly! (Monarchs have, unfortunately, been few and far between this summer.) These are some of the flowers sown by the Dartmouth Class of 1989 CHP Project. https://creatinghabitats.org
Local Hero Locates and Frees Hopelessly Entangled Victim!
On a recent steamy Saturday afternoon, while many of us were sipping iced drinks in front of our fans and air conditioners, local West Lebanon adventurer, Bart Guetti, set out on a quest to the western end of the MRG. His seemingly hopeless task was to locate an apple tree that had been planted in September 2019. Friends of Lebanon Recreation, Upper Valley Apple Corps, and other volunteers had planted it during Climate Strike Week in an effort to enhance MRG habitat..
A veritable jungle had grown up around the apple tree, Thick vines had clambered atop, dominating the environment, and strangling whatever lay in its path. Were it not for the nearly invisible wooden stakes installed last year, and for the determination of our intrepid hero, all would have been lost. Venturing forth by bike, clad in safety vest and neon pith helmet, and armed with machete, he tripped among the vines, struggling, chopping, and eventually, freeing the victim. “Just in the lick of time. If I had not found it today, we never would have found it – the vines would have won!”
Here is a photo of the rescued Golden Russet apple tree (fondly dubbed “Russ” by our hero) after this stunning rescue. The vines that had clambered atop have been removed, as well as the surrounding tall grasses.
Rescued Golden Russet Apple
Some of the Defeated Vine Debris!
Our hero! Thank you, Bart Guetti!
Friday night’s heavy rain beat down the Joe Pye Weed at the MRG overpass pollinator garden, but that didn’t stop this American White Admiral butterfly from enjoying it. Interesting that the immature caterpillar wraps itself in a leaf that wards off freezing temperatures and protects it from hungry birds. How do they know how to do this?! We humans are so dependent in our early years!
Posted in Pollinator Corridor, Pollinators
Thanks to Roger Lohr for sharing his photo of some of the pollinator plantings on the MRG behind the Miracle Mile. Roger writes: “The recent rain has helped flower gardens along the MRG in this photo that I took today. Been riding my bike 40 times since early June and it has been nice to see the blossoms coming along.” These are some of the flowers sown this Spring by Lebanon Mayor Tim McNamara’s Dartmouth Class of 1989 pollinator project. For more info see Creating Habitat For Pollinators. You can see more of their plantings at the Lebanon Airport and recycling facility and the West Lebanon Cemetery near Mt. Lebanon School.
Glad to know you are out there Roger, enjoying the MRG and stopping to appreciate the flowers.
The two apple trees at the MRG Overpass Pollinator Garden (by APD) are now in bloom . . . fingers are crossed that we will have no mid-May frost, such as in 2023, that limited much of our Upper Valley apple crop!
Posted in Good News!, Pollinator Corridor
The Vermont Center for EcoStudies is launching a pollinator research program in the Upper Valley, and the MRG is part of that study. The Center is asking “citizen scientists” to report on pollinator sightings, sending photos and relevant info to either iNaturalist or to VT Center for Ecostudies. There is a sign by the tunnel inviting all to record their pollinator sightings.
You can register your pollinator observations by downloading the QR code above, downloading the iNaturalist app on your cell phone, or emailing your photo to pip@vtecostudies.org. Remember that, in this case what is important is a clear photo of the pollinator and flower. Be sure to label your photo “MRG”. It will be interesting to see what varied pollinators visit the MRG and which plants they seem to favor.
Posted in Pollinator Corridor, Pollinators
In spite of the many pollinator gardens along the MRG and the heavenly scent of the blooming milkweed , pollinator sightings have been minimal: Cabbage moths, a few bees and butterflies . . .and right now, long-horned Red Milkweed Beetles. Those can be found on the common milkweed growing at the intersection of High/Mascom/Mechanic streets MRG Pollinator Garden. Their red and black bodies are easily seen on the bright green leaves – no need for camouflage since predators quickly learn the beetles are toxic from the milkweed sap they eat. You may even see them rubbing their mouths on leaves to prevent sap build-up which can actually fuse their mouths if it hardens. Seeing one on a purple coneflower makes me wonder if flowers other than milkweed make better napkins?!
Posted in Pollinator Corridor, Pollinators
It seems early to be celebrating pollinators in June, since there are limited flowers blooming at this time, but maybe it is a way to welcome them back? Daisies, a few lilies, ajuga, creeping charlie, columbine, apple blossoms, bleeding heart, and dandelions have offered their nectar and pollen, and lupines have bloomed as welll. Check the pollen on this bumble bee’s saddlebags! (The “saddlebags” are officially called “corbicula” and are pollen storage sacs.) Have you seen any pollinators yet on the MRG?
Posted in Pollinator Corridor
The Mascoma River Greenway 