by Neil Carleton
Over the years I’ve seen many kinds of birds in trees, ranging from a tiny back-and-white warbler to an eye dazzling indigo bunting. They’re usually observed higher up in the canopy. Just the other week I watched as a red squirrel foraged on yellow birch catkins a little lower in the foliage. From time to time I’ve seen a cat in a tree too, perched on a bottom branch. On occasion I’ve even noticed a kite trapped in the upper branches of a tall tree, or a plastic bag temporarily snagged on a windy day.
Birds, squirrels, and cats are mobile of their own accord, while kites and plastic bags hitch a ride on a passing breeze. But what of a big rock in a tree? That was the mystery this spring when Stephen Fennell showed me a pair of remarkable shady characters on his residential property along the Wolf Grove Road.
Thank you to Stephen Fennell and Carolyn Carrothers for nominating the rock trees of Wolf Grove Road.
Do you have a notable or favourite tree? Readers are invited to submit their nominations for an honor roll of trees in our area that could be featured in future articles. You can contact me at 613-256-2018, <ve3nce@rac.ca>, or Neil Carleton, 3 Argyle Street, P.O. Box 1644, Almonte, Ontario, K0A 1A0. I look forward to hearing from you.
My volunteer columns started in March 2010, as print features, to support the tree planting and tree awareness initiatives of the Mississippi Mills Beautification Committee. The contact for the Tree Working Group is Ron Ayling, 613-256-4617. In Carleton Place, the contact for the Urban Forest / River Corridor Advisory Committee is Jim McCready, 613-257-5853.
Until the next column, you’ll find me looking for and hanging out with shady characters.
