At Last, Some Good News

At Last, Some Good News
Cardamine impatiens, the narrowleaf bittercress, hides among my ferns, which it can resemble when young. Its seeds pop open when the pods are touched, sending them flying. 
Photo by Dee Salomon

At least where I am situated, in Litchfield County on the shores of the Housatonic River, it looks like there were two hatches of spongy moth caterpillars.  The older hatch has slowed down and is starting to pupate.  I have noticed fewer droppings as I walk the woods.  And a few other observations that, for a change, have me smiling: There are dead caterpillars low down on some of the big trees.

Author and garden expert Page Dickey, who lives about 5 miles from me, noticed the same in her woods. In both cases, the trees were not sprayed with the anti-spongy moth BT, which has us thinking that the Entomophaga fungus that lives in the soil was actually released by the rain. Supposedly the infected caterpillars die on the tree trunks,all facing downward — a curious idea and one that I need to go back and verify.

The other observation, concurrent with the first, is the new leaf growth on trees that had suffered caterpillar defoliation. The fact that this is happening while the moths are dying or pupating is fascinating to me.  It is as if the trees were sent the “all clear.”

I have posited this to a couple of friends and received raised eyebrows.

But I am almost finished reading Merlin Sheldrake’s “Entangled Lives,” about the role that fungus plays in our world.  There are a few scholars exploring the “wood wide web,”  and they are finding that mycorrhizae — the filaments of fungus that live under the soil — play a role in helping trees communicate and “trade” minerals and needed resources.

It also has been proven that, above ground, plants send out scent signals to warn against danger. So maybe the trees are communicating.

Anyway, it is good news, when we have not had much in the caterpillar category.

Now that I don’t have to spray BT on trees anymore I can turn my attention to other matters.  The woods need another pass to pull up the garlic mustard and narrowleaf bittercress that have gone to seed — carefully, so as not to release the seed from its pod! I reach down low and make sure that I pull the garlic mustard out horizontally as the root tends to set at a 90 degree angle from the stem.  It is a satisfying feeling to hear the release of the root from the soil and know that that is one more weed I won’t worry about again.

I am also determined to deal this year with the stilt grass that is now profuse in the wetland area. More about this to come and if you have suggestions please let me know.

For the past few years I have created a Maginot Line beyond which I pick out these invaders one by one. It is boring and back-compromising.  Time for a new solution that I am quite sure will include both a weedwhacker and torch — given the wetland location, this is a safe bet.  I have a weedwhacker and will borrow the torch before I buy and will let you know which is the way to go.

 

Dee Salomon “ungardens” in Litchfield County.

Latest News

Dine Out for History returns with most restaurants since the pandemic

The Millerton Inn on Main Street will host the first dinner in this year's Dine Out for History series on Sunday, Jan. 18. A local history quiz including a free glass of wine will precede dinner service at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are requested.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON —Diners will once again have the opportunity to support the North East Historical Society this winter while enjoying meals at local restaurants with the return of “Dine Out for History.”

Seven restaurants across Millerton and the Town of North East will be participating in this year's event, marking the highest number since the COVID-19 Pandemic shuttered the event from 2020 to 2022.

Keep ReadingShow less
Box truck crash blocks traffic outside Millerton; no injuries reported

Millerton Fire Company crews directing traffic as they waited for a tow truck large enough to haul the wrecked box truck away from a crash site on Route 44 just south of the entrance to the Millerton Gun Club on Friday, Jan. 9.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — A crash involving a box truck and a passenger vehicle blocked traffic just outside the Village of Millerton for much of the early afternoon Friday.

North East Fire Chief Keith Roger told The News on-scene that no one was injured in the crash that occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Route 44, just south of the entrance to the Millerton Gun Club.

Keep ReadingShow less
Village to hear update on wastewater project, discuss law to recognize tree committee
Village of Millerton offices on Route 22
John Coston

MILLERTON – The Village of Millerton Board of Trustees will convene on Monday, Jan. 12, for its monthly workshop meeting, with updates expected on the village’s wastewater project, Veterans Park improvements and the formal recognition of a new tree committee.

The board is scheduled to receive an update from Erin Moore – an engineer at Tighe and Bond, an engineering and consulting firm – on the status of the village’s wastewater project. The presentation will focus on funding secured to date, as well as additional grant opportunities that may be pursued to support the long-term infrastructure effort.

Keep ReadingShow less
Local massage therapist suggests ditching resolutions, ‘slow it down’ in the new year

Aimée Davis in her Millerton massage studio at 65 Main St. Davis offers massage therapy, relationship coaching and reiki in her studio and through home visits.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — While many view the new year as a starting line for resolutions and new habits, Millerton-based massage therapist and relationship coach Aimée Davis suggests a different course — a marathon, not a sprint. She believes a slower, more embodied approach can lead to greater fulfillment than ticking boxes off a list.

“I’m more of a daily-moment person,” Davis said, explaining that she focuses on small, consistent practices rather than big, rushed goals. Practicing conscious living year-round allows her to forego new year’s resolutions. “I made one yesterday and I’ll make one tomorrow — I’m constantly tracking what’s coming up, what’s drifting and what I want to change.”

Keep ReadingShow less