President’s Day weekend is upon us, and you know what the means. Well, besides it being a federal holiday. It means that there are only four more weeks until the Spring equinox. The darkest four months of the year are now behind us!
In the yard and garden
Here along Colorado’s Front Range, we had a very dry autumn. I mean a really dry autumn. In fact, at one point I despaired that we wouldn’t get any snow at all this winter. However, since Christmas the snow has been falling almost like clockwork. Every week we get 3–6-inch layer of snow. It warms up and most of it melts away just in time for another round. I may bitch about having to shovel snow every week, but I’m thrilled at all the moisture.
This week promises to be a doozy. We hit 60 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, which allowed me to get outside to do a little bit of yard work. However, starting Monday evening, a polar front is supposed to blow in that will bring temps down to below zero and periodically dump snow every day from Tuesday to Friday. That’s a 70-degree temperature swing in two days!
Thus, there is no yard work in the forecast for at least a week.
Still, while there ain’t much going on out in the yarden as of yet, there a subtle signs that change is a ‘coming.
Ominous development
Unfortunately, my brief foray into the garden has made me aware that there is situation developing in regard to my Honeylocust shade trees. I recently discovered that there is a fungal disease that is destroying Honeylocusts all along the Front Range. Known as thyronectria canker, this fungus is incredibly deadly to the Honeylocust family. I have even heard that 90% of the Honeylocusts in the Denver area will succumb to this malady.
There is no cure for it either. If you know what to look for, you might be able to cut affected branches off before the fungus can spread. But once it reaches major limbs or the trunk, it’s all over.
Unfortunately, I didn’t know about this disease. I have noticed over the past couple of years that I’ve had some pretty good-sized branches die, but since the rest of the tree seemed healthy, I didn’t think too much about it.
Sadly, I know all about Thyronectria canker now. Look at the photo below and you will see little yellow spots along the main limbs of the tree. Those are apparently the spores of Thyronectria canker.
This tree is doomed. How long? No idea. But since the canker is getting close to the main trunk, I figure a few years is all this tree has left. When it goes, there goes most of the shade in the Vintage backyard. Shucks, darn and other expletives!
Trying to find a positive
I was seriously bummed about this for a day or two. I planted that damn tree! Then I realized that there isn’t a damned thing I can do about it. I’ll leave it be until the damage becomes obvious, and then have it cut down.
Then I realized: hey, there are quite a few things I could do to replace this tree. Perhaps put in a different type of tree that is fungal resistant? Maybe, but I probably won’t be around to see it reach maturity.
Maybe put in an island bed, complete with smaller trees and shrubs? It’s possible. I’ve got some time to ponder it over.
In other spring related activities
After the indoor Christmas decorations came down, I dragged the bike trainer and one of my bikes into the living room, where I can ride and watch the telly. I have worked my way up to riding at least 150 minutes a week (mostly). This year, unlike in years past, I have been consistent all winter long. The most obvious benefit so far has been that my bad knee is feeling at least 75% better. Guess it goes back to the adage used by physical therapists everywhere: motion is lotion.
I put this little tidbit under this “Spring” post because I intend to be somewhat ready to ride outside when the weather does finally warm up. I am an admitted fair-weather rider. But I have found over the past few years that when the warm weather finally arrives, I am in no condition to enjoy it on my bike. It takes time to get the ol’ sit bones used to sitting on a saddle for any length of time, not to mention getting the legs and lungs prepared to take on the hills.
This year, when the warm weather arrives, I’m hitting the ground running (metaphorically speaking).
Epilogue
So, that’s it for now. While there are still many weeks of cold and dreary weather ahead of us, in just a few short weeks the days will be longer than the nights. Hang in there!
Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.
Samwise Gamgee
