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marcia williams's avatar

This is a beautiful post Clyde. I learn about new places from each essay. They inspire many emotions. I find underground plant communications and unexplored regions to be particularly fascinating - as some plants even warn others of impending pest or predator assaults. We had an interesting experience when searching for a Christmas tree in our woods this December. There was one balsam tree hidden amidst a group of white pines usually the first tree in a clearing that seeds in during succession. There are no balsam trees in our surrounding forests. We've had these as Christmas trees in the past from Nichols Cut Your Own on Lyme Road. I've never found a cone on the trees or planted one. I wonder how it grew amidst the pines? Blown in on the wind, or with a marauding squirrel that found it's way across the River? So interesting. Thanks for your posts.

Clyde Watson's avatar

Thanks for the neat balsam story! Could it have been that a seed from a discarded Christmas tree was planted by mouse or bird? The cones can be well-hidden on the trees we buy ... interesting also that when we get ours from Primitive PIckings on Rte. 4, there are always lots of cones. Are you familiar with Peter Wohlleben's book "The Hidden Life of Trees"? Wonderful writing.

Cynthia Crawford's avatar

I am so grateful for your insightful research and the way you pull ideas together to create a feeling of wonder and hope. This is pure genius! I am looking out my window, observing the snow, wind, birds and trees with new appreciation and love. Thank you!

Victoria Olsen's avatar

Wonderful. Much of this is new to me, and I love how you braid it all together in this inspiring and timely way. Thank you.

Clyde Watson's avatar

I appreciate your comment -- it was a tricky braid! So many other strands that wanted to be a part of it.

roseminna watson's avatar

such a rich post. the photo at the beginning is one of my favorite images i've ever seen. i had no idea these places existed!!!!!

Clyde Watson's avatar

I love the image too, finding it almost hypnotic. There's a marine sinkhole off Belize, too!

https://www.discoverwildlife.com/environment/great-blue-hole-belize

The AI Architect's avatar

Incredible synthesis of literal and metaphorical underground forests. The FMNR movement's success in recognizing dormant root systems beneath "dead" trees mirrors perfectly the psychological work of accessing buried self-knowledge. I came across Rinaudo's work a few years back when researching regenerative agriculture and the economics are fascinating, basically proving that restoration can be cheaper than replacement if you understand what's alredy there beneath the surface.

Clyde Watson's avatar

Thank-you for this comment, and for pointing out the cost-benefit aspect of regenerative agriculture. I imagine you are also familiar with the no-till farming movement in the US --and elsewhere I'm sure. I'm wondering if, in your work, you have written anything that touches on FMNR.

Sue P's avatar

an amazing post and font of information Clyde -

Clyde Watson's avatar

Thanks -- I just barely scratched the surface of this big subject, it's that intriguing.