In the summer months, the moss and ferns on these trees dries and turns brown but each winter it all grows back.
These maple trees are a few hundred year old. There is some small, new growth recently and they are shedding their old limbs that no longer produce leaves. Strong winds blow down huge branches each year that we cut into rounds for firewood. Maple wood produces a hot fire.
When we moved to this land, the trees were surrounded by a sea of blackberries. Clearing the blackberries has improved the health of the trees by removing competition. There were some invasive blackberries growing 10 feet up the tree that I had to cut out with a tree limber. A blackberry eating bird must have pooped up there.
We planted clover around the base of the trees to fix nitrogen to the soil which improves vegetative growth.
It is an honor to help care for tree elders, though I try not to involve myself in the business of trees any more than necessary. Too often does the touch of a human kill without the intention to.
