Black Locust

We have black locust trees growing on our farm. Farmers who owned the place back in the 1930s planted them to plug up the gulleys that had formed on several steep hillsides. The black locusts did their job well, way too well, because they, once established, climbed out of the gulleys and marched into the open fields. We must have more than five acres of black locusts now, threatening to take over the place, to become one gigantic black locust forest of trees with long spikes that tear into your skin and crowd out more desirable species.

To keep the marauding locust trees at bay, we mow several of our open fields each year. But the next year they always return, seemingly more vigorous than the previous year. Some will grow five or six feet in one summer. None of my other tree species can begin to compete with the black locusts’ enthusiasm and competitive nature. Except perhaps buckthorn, but that is topic for another time.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Remember 9-11-01. Where were you on that fateful morning? What were you doing?

UPCOMING EVENTS:

September 13, Town Hall Library, North Lake, Wisconsin. 6:00 p.m. Barns of Wisconsin

September 17, Creekside Bookstore, Cedarburg. Book Signing, 1-4.

September 18, Creekside Bookstore, Cedarburg, Book signing, 12-3.

September 21, Cumberland Library, 5:30 p.m. The Lighter Side of Country Living.

September 22, Midwest Bookseller Convention, Minneapolis

October 1, Family History Fair, Walworth County Genealogical Society. Faith Christian School, HWY 67, Williams Bay, WI. 9-3. (Speaking at 1:00) Horse Drawn Days.

October 2, Old World Wisconsin, Eagle, WI.

October 4, Union Grove Library. 1:30 p.m. Horse Drawn Days, 6:30 p.m. History of Cheese Making.

October 8, Stonefield Village, Cassville, WI. 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Speaking at 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. Horse Drawn Days

October 15, Wade House, Green Bush, WI. 1:00 p.m. Horse Drawn Days.

October 18, New Holstein Library, 1:00 p.m. Book talk featuring Cranberry Red. 6:30-8:30 Writer’s workshop.