The jungle never sleeps

By Ted Farnworth

One of the activities that we carry out at the FWG is to introduce or re-introduce bushes and trees into the property that will maintain and enhance the various habitats we are trying to highlight. A lot of thought, discussion, and planning goes into deciding which plants should go where. This is followed by a bit of grunt work, when volunteers clear chosen areas in preparation for planting.

The actual planting of a bush or a shrub is perhaps one of the more rewarding activities I have done during my short term as a FWG volunteer. Knowing that I have put in place something that will be seen, admired by visitors, and used by bugs, critters, and birds gives me a real sense of accomplishment. So now all I have to do is sit back and enjoy my “job well done.”

Well not really. A recent work session showed me that once we get something into the ground, the work is not finished. In the past, much effort was spent planting a variety of shrubs and trees on the south side of the ravine. Luckily, some marking poles indicate where the plants were placed, because I soon found out that the plants introduced by FWG volunteers have been battling the resident ravine vegetation, and in many cases the battle has not been very successful. Where the marking poles have disappeared, overgrowth soon hides our work.

The two photos below illustrate how quickly our “little darlings” get overtaken and buried. Thankfully, I have not found a planted shrub or tree that has died due to overgrowth and strangulation, but I’m not sure whether I have found all of them. Any that go undiscovered may not survive another year.

It is a good lesson to remember that just getting a shrub or a tree into the ground is not the end of our job. After we have had a good work session at the FWG, and are home warm and comfy, the “jungle” starts silently creeping back. The jungle never sleeps.