Tree 'rich'ness

Healthy Hickory Tree in Spring

“To be poor and be without trees, is to be the most starved human being in the world. To be poor and have trees, is to be completely rich in ways that money can never buy.” 
― Clarissa Pinkola Estés, The Faithful Gardener: A Wise Tale About That Which Can Never Die

Trees give us so much.  There are some native to a large part of America that provide nuts with high nutrients, as well as prime wood for lumber.  Not to mention, Hickory trees and Walnuts trees are just downright pretty.

We had the honor to tour a Walnut plantation in Northern Missouri this Spring of 2014.  What a beautiful view!  This grove was planted in 1990.  After many methods of trial and error, much work in weeding, thinning, pruning, the growth is nature's glory. 

2 year old Walnut Sapling.  Cute huh?

“But what is work and what is not work?  Is it work to dig, to carpenter, to plant trees, to fell trees, to ride, to fish, to hunt, to feed chickens, to play the piano, to take photographs, to build a house, to cook, to sew, to trim hats, to mend motor bicycles?  All of these things are work to somebody, and all of them are play to somebody.  There are in fact very few activities which cannot be classed either as work or play according as you choose to regard them."
- George Orwell

“I like to tell people that trees are organic, natural, and, most importantly, renewable,” says the 61-year-old rocker. They give us materials for buildings and books. They clean our air and our water. They shelter wildlife. That’s just for starters. Did he mention jobs, too? He turns serious when he talks about this. He wants to get through, to make people see. He knows some think using trees is harmful. But no, “We need reasons to grow trees.”

Chuck Leavell  (From Philly.com:)  

What better reason than this to grow trees?

At www.Livingakers.com, we thrive on tree creativity.  Trees represent nature, and we represent trees in our gifts.   Come join us and take a look.  Give us ideas!  We want to grow!

Mushrooms at your fingertips

Inoculating small logs at our tree farm with Shitake mushrooms spores pays off a few months later.
Sound different?  Difficult?  We were clueless the first time we heard about this, but found information and learned just how amazingly easy and inexpensive it is- really.

During a tour at one of the Missouri Forest and Woodlands Association conferences for tree farmers, was a family farm where some short logs were propped up in a row on their place.  There were mushrooms popping out all over them! He told us briefly that he cut some logs, drilled holes, and the kids put spores in, covering each with wax.  Well, that still sounded a bit foreign to us.  The very same afternoon, the University Extension center, which is a partner with the Missouri Conservation Department, had some brochure handouts on ... would you know?  GROWING SHITAKE MUSHROOMS!!!  

THE place referenced to get spores is Field & Forest.  They are real experts, with a large variety of mushrooms, advice, starter kits, tips, tricks and more.  So, we ordered spores and got started when the weather was right.  First, the logs we cut were approximately 6" White Oak (because size matters.)  They need to be fresh cut for moisture, and the bark on Oak doesn't disintegrate as much as other barks, so that the moisture is kept in the log.

For our third time inoculating, this is the method we chose:

1. Drilling

2. Thimble Spores

3. inserting the spores

3.

4. Inoculated logs

This year, we filled with "thimble spores".  First, the hole is drilled with a special bit, fitted for the spore.  The tray shown in photo 2 contains the spores, shaped like a thimble.  They are pre-measured, so just insert, press in, making sure the styrofoam is secure.  VERY SIMPLE
As I mentioned earlier, we have tried other methods, which also are not difficult at all.  We just like trying different ways, then comparing the process and results.

I recommend you check out Field & Forest, as they have more information than I can possibly begin to offer here in a blog.

7 months later, in September, 2014, we had these show up one day.  This was after a few days of cooler weather and some rain.  These are about the size of a quarter.  In 2-3 days, they were the size of a hamburger bun and DELICIOUS!!!

At Livingakers.com, we are proud to live sustainable, utilizing all that God-given nature has provided.  Trees are our passion.  They inspire us.  See what tree gift and items can be created!

Life needs Trees

Did you know that 1.6 billion people, including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures, depend on forests for their livelihood?

Winter has been long and cold... colder for longer than winters previous.  It has made life a bit harder for us.  The hardships of season are part of life, and so are trees.  Life needs trees.  When the weather makes things really hard for us, imagine how much harder is it for trees?  These stalwart creations of God are symbols for strength, reminding us to 'stand tall' and stay strong.  They manage to continue on in all types of storms, so I take it that means we should, too (proverbially speaking).

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

The constant cold and dismal winter weather can be daunting and wear down our energy and desire to keep going.  We know, though, that Spring will be here again.  Working to get past the wait will make it all the more worthwhile when it does finally arrive. 

Our family of Living Akers are fortunate to live in the country, where we depend on the trees and what nature provides.  This winter, trees have also suffered from the harsh cold, but yet provided the very necessity of warmth from wood.  Yes, sadly, they don't all make it, but at least they can be productive, even at the end.  Harvesting the wood is hard work, though, getting out in the snow to cut, stack and haul it.  On the other hand, it can be very invigorating and excellent exercise!  

Treasured champion bur oak to receive much-needed care

In  mid-Missouri, generations have known it simply as “The Big Tree.”
With a 140-foot crown spread, the nearly 100-foot tall bur oak located just off the Katy Trail near McBaine is a contender as a national champion. Most evenings, dozens of visitors to the tree take in the beauty of the countryside and gaze at grandeur of the McBaine Bur Oak. 
But as the  sprawling giant is closing in on its 400th birthday, the tree is showing its age.  
“The last few  years I have seen the tree in decline and that is why we are stepping up once again to help this treasure,” says William Spradley, owner and president of Trees, Forests and Landscapes. “I have a passion for large trees and this being one of the biggest nationally somebody needed to come forward to give the tree some much-needed care.”

Treasured champion bur oak
I doubt if they predicted how harsh this winter will be, but one thing's for sure; the care and attention this tree received came just in the nick of time!  We'll see come Spring how much affect the extra attention had on this majestic tree.

If you own property (it doesn't matter the number of acres),  then consider the importance of managing it, so that what is grown is healthy, desirable, productive, in order to be passed on to future generations.  Yes, information is needed, some labor to be done, but isn't it worth it?  Not sure where to start?  There is help.  You could start here: 

American Forest Foundation"...there are close to 23 million forest owners in the United States, owning 282 million acres of forest land. That’s more forestland than is owned by the federal government or the forest products industry—the size of all the states along the eastern seaboard from Maine to Georgia.  The initial 2011 data indicates that very few woodland owners know about programs that can help them improve their management of their woodlands."

We are proud to be part of the American Forest owners, Tree Farm Systems and Missouri Walnut Council. Even in this harsh winter, we care for our trees.   While inside in the warm, we created some new tree gifts.  Tell us what you think!  Living Akers.  We selected Missouri Walnut for its beautiful grain and high quality to make our brand item: Family Treasure Boxes are wonderful gifts for Christmas or weddings.  Up to 5 of the small "Baby Treasure" boxes fit inside.