Sylvan Food Forests

05/28/2026

Lots of red blooms turning into little bunches of pawpaws. So cute!

05/13/2026

I’m excited about this planting… grey alder and balsam poplar.

Both are good for coppicing and have excellent uses.
From wikipedia:
*Balsam Poplar is also a good cook fuel source
“The light, soft wood of Populus balsamifera is used for pulp.[7] The resinous sap (or the tree's balsam) comes from its buds, and is sometimes used as a hive disinfectant by bees.[13]

Branches containing the resinous buds are sometimes blown to the ground by spring windstorms, and herbalists from many cultures seek these out to make medicine from them. These sticky spring buds are a highly prized ingredient in medicinal salves and other herbal preparations in both Indigenous North American and European herbal traditions.

Many kinds of animals use the twigs of Populus balsamifera for food. The leaves of the tree serve as food for caterpillars of various Lepidoptera.”

Grey Alder.
“The tree is cultivated in parks and gardens. The cultivar 'Aurea', with green-gold leaves, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[11]

It is sometimes used in afforestation and agroforestry in non-fertile or wet soils which it enriches by means of nitrogen fixing bacteria in its root nodules.[12]

Alder is an excellent tree for coppicing[13] and pollarding. Its cut branches may be fed to browsing livestock such as cows and goats, then used for kindling, firewood, or light construction - while root systems fertilize adjacent agricultural plots via nitrogen fixation.[12]

The Zuni people use the bark of the tenuifolia subspecies to dye deerskin reddish brown.[14]

The Ho-Chunk eat the bark of the rugosa subspecies when their stomachs are "sour" or upset.[15]

Its wood and bark are used in smoking meat,[16] particularly fish[17] and duck.[18]”

04/29/2026

04/24/2026

Pawpaws are blooming!

04/24/2026

This hazelnut got up to about 10-11 feet in 7 years.

04/24/2026

Wild plum blossoms are bringing in the pollinators. Did you know, plum blossoms are a mainstay in perfume making?

04/17/2026

This serviceberry’s getting its first decent little bloom. 😊

03/10/2026

We have large, excellent quality, germinated chestnut seed if anyone is looking to plant a food tree.

02/19/2026

Baked up some mid February chestnuts in butter 😋

02/02/2026

Build a "Pocket Forest"!
Choose species from our online store and get 30% off.

Pocket forests, or mini-forests, are created by densely planting a mixture of native trees, shrubs and groundcover plants in a small area, often in urban or suburban landscapes. Learn more at PocketForests.org.

The quantities required totals to 20-30+ seedlings, depending what you select. This is based on the example of 36 trees & shrubs, 10-15 species, in 9 square meters in the Mini-Forests At Home: How to Guide by Green Venture .

Build your select with a mix of 10+ species appropriate for your planting site:

Choose 10 or more trees.
Choose 10 or more shrubs.
Choose up to 3 packets of mixed seedlings (optional).
Get 30% off at checkout!!
** Pocket forests are a particular strategy and not appropriate for all sites, we recommend research and preparation for successful plantings of any kind!

Shop at:
https://store.washtenawcd.org/a/bundles/pocket-forest-build-a-bundle-90g4

01/02/2026

Pulled some chestnuts out of refrigeration to check on them today and they are looking good!