They ALL survived!

Potted Oak seedlings were over-wintered in a screen enclosed coldframe.

This was covered with straw which was then covered with a tarp to keep the straw dry.

Previous attempts to overwinter Oak seedlings in D40 pots have failed either because of mice eating them or becuse of freeze/thaw cycles killing the root systems -- which had minimal protection inside these pots.

For history of this story from 2023 log [click HERE]

But ...

Some of the seedlings developed these spots and leaf necrosis towards the end of 2024 summer. I was planting out these seedlings most of the summer and this spotting didn't show up in the frame until late in the summer.

I think this is Athracnose so these will hopefully grow out of it next year.

To be safe, I didn't transplant the most severely affected and I put tree tubes around those that I did.

Transplant Oak Seedlings in gaps at the farm.

I transplanted these Red Oak seedlings throughout the Summer of 2024. These pictures are from November which is far later in the season than I usually plant. I am hoping that the tubes will protect the young tree from the rages of winter.

For history of these seedlings from 2023 log [click HERE]

Protecting seedling with tree tube.

I have purchased a bunch of these tree tubes and will try them again to see if they can help get these new trees established.

I have been having a lot of difficulty with survival lately due to competition and browse (and whatever else??).

A seedling and me.

The Oak seedling in a D40 pot one full year from the acorn.

These are Northren Red Oak from New Jersey.

Removing competing trees from near Walnut that have potential for crop trees.

Since it was November, I fealt safe pruning the Black Walnut trees that remained.

Trimming Walnuts.

Cut down competition.

It is emotionally very difficult to cut down these beautiful pine and spruce trees after only 20 odd years since we planted them. AND then to let them rot where they fall.

The plan was to hire a logging company to thin this stand. But times have changed and now the only way we can thin these trees is to do it ourselves. So buck up!!

Collected Spruce cones from felled tree.

These are a few of the cones I collected from a tree that was growing too close to a heardwood tree and had to be cut down.

I kept them in this screen box over winter in my greenhouse. The intermittant hot and cold caused the cones to open and drop their seeds.

For more on these seeds see 2025 log [click HERE]

Red Pine blew over in wind storm and GENTLY settled on Tin Shed Roof.

Red Pine has been leaning towards the tin shed for many years. We have all given our opinions as to how long it would stand.

Tractor fits between shed and bank.

I called our tree trimmer to see if he could come and remove the tree. He was so busy with other storm damage that I got tired of waiting and moved some things so I could get the tractor under the tree.

Yes, the tractor was able to lift the tree.

Lifting the tree up off the roof allowed us to saw the top into liftable blocks and toss of the roof. .

With the trunk safely held up away from falling into the side of the shed. My Brother-in-law and I cut off the trunk and I lowered it safely to the ground.

Red Pine logs on hay rack for transport.

This Red Pine is an 'old growth' tree. It was planted in the 1940's by my father and it has been part of the windbreak for over 60 years. The wood is too good to let it rot on the ground so I pulled it out and loaded it on the wagon with a couple other logs.

Sawed into boards.

My nephew John offered to saw these logs for me.

Some nice boards salvaged from Red Pine windfall.

Ready to sticker and stack inside the shed the tree fell on top of. There was no damage to the shed roof.