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20 messages

BS: Help with a Sign for a tree

15 May 06 - 02:46 PM (#1741114)
Subject: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: katlaughing

We've got an old tall poplar tree which has died. We get many solicitations for cutting it down. every year we hve two or three nesting pairs of birds which use it as their *condo*, so we have left it. We rarely have high winds or other forces of Nature which might take it down and it also is pretty strong, so we've decided to leave it for now, for the nbirds.

I'd like to make a sign for it which may start out with line "For the birds" then go into a short poem or something which says, in a fun way, why it has been left standing.

Any suggestions?


15 May 06 - 03:04 PM (#1741130)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: John MacKenzie

For the birds
That's why I'm here you see
For the birds,
I'm not just any old tree
For the birds
I'm home and family
For the birds
I stand here day by day
For the birds
I'm here, and here I'll stay.

Giok


15 May 06 - 03:08 PM (#1741135)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: MMario

I'd go with a real estate looking sign - "For sale, Lease or Purchase - multi-family; multi-story avian apartments."


15 May 06 - 03:09 PM (#1741136)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: katlaughing

Oh, Giok, that is PERFECT!!! Thank *yew*!!


15 May 06 - 03:10 PM (#1741137)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: katlaughing

MMario, we cross-posted. I LOVE that, too. May have to use both!! Tks!!


15 May 06 - 03:25 PM (#1741159)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: GUEST

Horatio, I am dead. If thou canst readest this missive thou art too close.


15 May 06 - 04:10 PM (#1741200)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: Bert

Nice one Giok!


15 May 06 - 04:27 PM (#1741220)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: Bill D

"Avian Retweet"

(the tree will fall eventually...don't wait TOO long)


15 May 06 - 04:34 PM (#1741233)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: katlaughing

LOL! BillD...okay, we won't.**bg**


15 May 06 - 04:41 PM (#1741240)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: Jim Dixon

Standing dead trees - called "snags" - are valuable for wildlife, especially woodpeckers, and should be left standing if they aren't dangerous and you don't need the firewood.

But I suppose you knew that?


15 May 06 - 04:49 PM (#1741248)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: Divis Sweeney

The kiss of the sun for pardon. The song of the bird for mirth. This tree continues to bring life even though it has left this earth.


15 May 06 - 04:51 PM (#1741250)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: katlaughing

Never hurts to reiterate, Jim. Put so succinctly, I may print it out and hand it to the next fellah who stops by to ask if we want it cut down!

Had a flicker in the other tree near it, last year. That tree has a couple of dead largish limbs.

Tks!


15 May 06 - 04:57 PM (#1741253)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: katlaughing

Nice spin of one of my old favs, Divis. Thanks! I think this tree is going to encourage literacy.:-)


15 May 06 - 05:06 PM (#1741264)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: Jim Dixon

In case your neighbors need any convincing:

Snags for Wildlife, from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.
Snags: One species' eyesore is another's habitat from the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection.
Save a Snag for Wildlife from Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Woodpeckers and Snag Dynamics from the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Critter Condos: Managing Dead Wood for Wildlife from the Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources (in pdf format).


15 May 06 - 05:07 PM (#1741267)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: katlaughing

Very Kewl! THIS is what I love about Mudcat!! Thanks, fellahs!


15 May 06 - 05:19 PM (#1741281)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: open mike

i think ther eis a line from Joyce Kilmer's Tree poem
that says "A nest of robins in her hair...."

how about "Quiet, Residential Area"


15 May 06 - 05:43 PM (#1741303)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: Stilly River Sage

My next door neighbor has a gnarly windblown disreputable looking old willow at the back of her property, overlooking our creek. I hope she never touches it--we have an amazing array of animals and birds in and on that tree. At night it's a perfect view for owls of any rodent meals, and during the day I've seen hawks, owls, herons, egrets, and lots of little songbirds come and go out there.

Use at least one of those poems and stick to yer guns!

SRS


15 May 06 - 09:53 PM (#1741453)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: Ebbie

"This tree is for the birds"


15 May 06 - 10:26 PM (#1741459)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: katlaughing

Ebbie, simplicity at its finest!

SRS, we have a weeping willow like that in our backyard, but no creek. The only birds I see back there are mourning doves, robins, starlings, sparrows, and an occasional oddball/thrill. I love them, all, though, esp. when thay are off on flights of fancy and mating, then muttering as they nest. They do like our birdbath/waterer.

Thanks, folks!


16 May 06 - 04:25 PM (#1742046)
Subject: RE: BS: Help with a Sign for a tree
From: autolycus

Blast - Ebbie beat me to it nearly.

   Even more concise - "Strictly for the birds"


    Ivor