That dead oak on Maple Ave turned into a whole new canopy in 18 months

Took down a big dead oak in a client's backyard back in March 2022. Left the stump and let it rot naturally. Fast forward to now, and the space is full of sumac, boxelder, and a few mulberries that popped up from the bird droppings. The contrast is wild, one day it was a hazard, now it's a mini thicket. Has anyone else just let a site go wild after a removal and been surprised at what comes up? I'm thinking of thinning it out a bit but kind of like the free growth.

2 comments

2 Comments

cooper.taylor15d ago

Honestly, that used to sound like a messy cop out to me. I was all about cleaning up every last branch and planting stuff on a schedule. But seeing the birds just do their thing is kinda magic, like nature's own landscaping crew. I'd say keep the thicket too, maybe just hack out a little trail so you can wander through it and check on the mulberries. That free growth is way more interesting than anything I'd have picked out.

the_kai15d ago

Ever notice how bird poop is basically nature's seed catalog? I had a similar thing happen behind my shed after I cleared out a dying silver maple, ended up with a wall of raspberry canes and some kind of willow that just took over the whole wet spot. The mulberries from the droppings are the best part, free fruit with zero effort, but the boxelder will drive you nuts with seedlings for years if you don't stay on top of it. I say leave the thicket for another season and see what the birds bring in next, maybe just cut the paths through it so you can actually enjoy the chaos.