[Fwd: Acacia et al.]

-- BEGIN included message

  • To: m*@ucdavis.edu
  • Subject: Acacia et al.
  • From: "* E* M* <e*@columbia.edu>
  • Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 08:16:17 -0500
All this talk of unwanted and despised "weed trees" has brought to mind
something I've always wondered about: Why do Americans abhor and revile
the tried-and-true and eminently practical European method of coppicing?
Many of the problems mentioned re Acacia melanoxylon, for example
(danger of falling branches etc. ) might be brought under control with
annual coppicing resulting in a shapelier healthier tree and an annual
supply of stakes or firewood.  Besides, something I know many
californians miss (I spent three years at Mills College in Oakland) if
widely practiced it would underline and emphasize the change of seasons.
It is particularly useful for roadside trees or trees that make messes.
On our land in Corfu we do it annually for wild mulberries and
bi-annually for the cercis siliquastrum which are the closest we have to
volunteer weeds. Wild pears we prune in a more sightly fashion every few
years.  The wild mulberies provide excellent stakes, and the others,
along with the biannual olive prunings, all the firewood we need.
Speaking of unwelcome volunteers: ailanthus has begun to rear its ugly
head on the island.  I like to think that the annual five-month drought
will keep it in check.  If not, may God have mercy on us.  
Cali Doxiadis.

-- END included message

Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index