Nature Note:Overhang

One of the Asian pear trees is growing over the garage roof.I've been considering having it cut back-or even cut down.The wood isn't especially heavy,yet could still do some damage to the roof and shingles in severe weather.On the other hand,it certainly shades the home in summer,keeping cooling costs down.I have pruned this tree for a number of years,but it has resisted my efforts,finally overwhelming them.It has been a nest tree for robins and northern cardinals,and possibly many others.Cedar waxwings and others have eaten its small fruit in winter.A spruce or fir would be a possible replacement.

Nature Note:Young of the Year

They are already appearing,the young of the year.Mourning doves were the first sighted,with three squabs eating under the feeder with their parents.Then a male northern cardinal was seen feeding his young in a leyland cypress.This morning,a tiny cottontail was observed nestled against a picket fence.The rabbits can be pesky,occasionally nibbling on landscape plants,but are generally a welcome member of the urban forest.Yesterday,a light frost occurred-probably the final one of the year-but the tomato plants were unscathed,along with the tiny rabbit.

Nature Note:Soggy Snow

What could have been a pleasant snow turned into a heavy,wet one as a wedge of warm air sliced into the cold,causing freezing rain and plain rain.Nonetheless,the first northern cardinal song was heard yesterday,and house finches were singing this morning,which is one of the first reminders of spring.It can't be called a sign of spring,as that season is two months off,but the birdsong is a presaging of it.Certainly the days are noticeably longer and the tree buds are a little bigger then they were a month ago.