So many important points! And thanks for linking my article. It breaks my heart to think about the wanton and deliberate destruction of the chestnuts, and so many other trees, which is then blamed on an insect or a fungus. The destruction of livelihood and food sources has been going on right under our noses for more than a century! This is another so-significant reason why we need to drop the belief in disease of ANY living thing being caused by an outside "invader" be it a virus, a fungus, a mold, a parasite, or an insect.
There was a beautiful bur oak tree next to my house that died suddenly one spring about 20 years ago. The arborist who took it down said it was around 150 years old, so it was there before my house and before any other settlement in the area. When this was oak savannah on the Mississippi River bluffs, traversed and probably nomadically settled by Dakota people but otherwise wild. He said it was oak wilt. I believed it then, not now.
My last comment: I think what the insects tell us about our gardens, at least most of them, including mine, is that the soil we grow food plants in is unhealthy to one degree or another. I got a refractometer, probably the same one you mention, but couldn't calibrate it properly so I didn't get actual readings on my plants. I'll try again. But the presence of insects as the plants grow is the sign that all is not well. I follow Nigel Palmer on Substack--https://www.youtube.com/@nigelpalmer3439. He posts rarely, but it's almost always about how to make various preparations from plants or eggshells and vinegar, or local indigenous materials, to build the soil and strengthen the plants. He has one video on how to use a refractometer. I suspect the soil is unhealthy due to aerial spraying, but also to our not knowing how to identify what it needs and supply it regeneratively, even those of us who are 100% committed to not using any chemical pesticides or soil builders.
Thanks for the thorough exploration! I appreciate your perspective very much.
thanks, Betsy! Yep, fractal levels of cleanup organisms, small and large. That oak was getting too old, just like all of the elms and ash trees. This country is only a couple of hundred years old. Right, the soil is depleted of selenium, boron, etc. Thanks for the heads up with that refractometer- I was going to buy it! I'll get a different one. They used to be hundreds of dollars, but now are cheaper. I'll check out that substack, thanks. The search function is either shadowbanning results or doesn't work, since i didn't get his substack. Regarding the level of insects in gardens or any habitat, please see my reply to Christin in the comments! Thanks.
In regard to the oak tree by my house, I think they can live much longer than 150 years--there is one near me in a park that is said to be 500. It was badly burned at some point, but survived--a trait of bur oaks. They withstand fire and drought because of their very extensive root system. I think what happens to them in cities is all the pollution, the stress of having some of their roots cut for house foundations, sidewalks and streets, the ravaging of the soil by chemicals, and so much else that is not natural, even the level of noise must interfere with their processes in some way. And even the much reduced wildlife! Their companions! Bur oaks are known even more than other oaks for hosting many other species in their bark, leaves, and roots. These trees in nature grow singly or in small groups, not in forests. They are loners in a way, but used to having many friends who shelter within their canopy! Far less within the city. At least this one grew where it was from an acorn--the urban trees that are grown in nurseries and transplanted are immediately compromised because of having their roots either trimmed to fit in a pot or confined in a burlap root bag. I so appreciate all the trees around me, and it makes me sad that they are so domesticated and deprived of their full natural life.
I can imagine they live to those ages, especially in less polluted times. Nice what you write about bur oaks. I heard white oaks are the keystone species in many forests in the East Coast, including where I live b/c of all the acorns and species it supports. And it absorbs white quartz so has a certain pinkish, sandy quality. Yeah, I know all of my trees!
Thank you for this well researched article. Fascinating and in line with what I know about germ vs terrain theory.
I work on a small organic vegetable farm. The couple that owns it cares very much about the soil health and producing nutrient dense veggies. They never till, use compost, reject chemicals that are allowed by USDA organic standards but they feel are harmful, they are always checking the microbial life and doing soil tests. Yet, they still deal with some aphids, other insect pests, and mold/fungal issues. I had never considered the UV light being blocked by the greenhouse and hoop houses we use during the New England winter as a possible culprit. But we still have these problems when growing outside in direct sun. I often read about how healthy plants don't have these problems, but I have not been able to find anyone that produces fruits and vegetables in any large quantity that doesn't have these problems or has natural a solution for them.
I am going to inquire about the Brix test and see if I can find any correlation to our crops that have issues. Thanks again!
thanks, Christin. Without knowing the specifics of your farm and being general, my opinion is that life is all about cycles of growth, sustenance, and decay, which I constantly write about, like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva or Sun, Earth, Moon, etc. We see this in nature, and all of the dead logs in a forest are needed as part of the balance. The ash and oak leaves i see from my window acquire blemishes in late Summer or so as part of its cycle. There has to be decay in the garden at various phases of each plants' cycles, so there will always be some level of pests. So I accept this and just try to find a good balance so the bugs don't get out of control. But it could be something with pollution levels or the wrong levels of minerals, etc.
they say gooseberries and currants are co-hosts with the white pine tree and other pines in northeastern states, so although the ban was lifted at the federal level, these states still ban them. I often wonder why wild fruits and other foods are not sold at stores.
from chatgpt:
Current Status of Ribes in the U.S.:
Federal Level: No nationwide ban on Ribes exists anymore, but local and state restrictions remain in place in areas where white pine is economically or ecologically important.
State-Level Bans or Restrictions:
Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and others: Restrictions on planting specific Ribes species near pine forests.
Rust-resistant Ribes varieties are often exempt from these bans.
Where I live in Massachusetts is a little island off the beach called Gooseberry Island. I grew up going there my whole childhood. I never saw (or ate) a gooseberry until I moved to Oregon as n adult much later. I have never seen one again.
I planted a gooseberry bush in the wrong part of my land when i moved here, but it's still hanging on. I've bought some at stores, and they are popping with flavor.
So many important points! And thanks for linking my article. It breaks my heart to think about the wanton and deliberate destruction of the chestnuts, and so many other trees, which is then blamed on an insect or a fungus. The destruction of livelihood and food sources has been going on right under our noses for more than a century! This is another so-significant reason why we need to drop the belief in disease of ANY living thing being caused by an outside "invader" be it a virus, a fungus, a mold, a parasite, or an insect.
There was a beautiful bur oak tree next to my house that died suddenly one spring about 20 years ago. The arborist who took it down said it was around 150 years old, so it was there before my house and before any other settlement in the area. When this was oak savannah on the Mississippi River bluffs, traversed and probably nomadically settled by Dakota people but otherwise wild. He said it was oak wilt. I believed it then, not now.
My last comment: I think what the insects tell us about our gardens, at least most of them, including mine, is that the soil we grow food plants in is unhealthy to one degree or another. I got a refractometer, probably the same one you mention, but couldn't calibrate it properly so I didn't get actual readings on my plants. I'll try again. But the presence of insects as the plants grow is the sign that all is not well. I follow Nigel Palmer on Substack--https://www.youtube.com/@nigelpalmer3439. He posts rarely, but it's almost always about how to make various preparations from plants or eggshells and vinegar, or local indigenous materials, to build the soil and strengthen the plants. He has one video on how to use a refractometer. I suspect the soil is unhealthy due to aerial spraying, but also to our not knowing how to identify what it needs and supply it regeneratively, even those of us who are 100% committed to not using any chemical pesticides or soil builders.
Thanks for the thorough exploration! I appreciate your perspective very much.
thanks, Betsy! Yep, fractal levels of cleanup organisms, small and large. That oak was getting too old, just like all of the elms and ash trees. This country is only a couple of hundred years old. Right, the soil is depleted of selenium, boron, etc. Thanks for the heads up with that refractometer- I was going to buy it! I'll get a different one. They used to be hundreds of dollars, but now are cheaper. I'll check out that substack, thanks. The search function is either shadowbanning results or doesn't work, since i didn't get his substack. Regarding the level of insects in gardens or any habitat, please see my reply to Christin in the comments! Thanks.
In regard to the oak tree by my house, I think they can live much longer than 150 years--there is one near me in a park that is said to be 500. It was badly burned at some point, but survived--a trait of bur oaks. They withstand fire and drought because of their very extensive root system. I think what happens to them in cities is all the pollution, the stress of having some of their roots cut for house foundations, sidewalks and streets, the ravaging of the soil by chemicals, and so much else that is not natural, even the level of noise must interfere with their processes in some way. And even the much reduced wildlife! Their companions! Bur oaks are known even more than other oaks for hosting many other species in their bark, leaves, and roots. These trees in nature grow singly or in small groups, not in forests. They are loners in a way, but used to having many friends who shelter within their canopy! Far less within the city. At least this one grew where it was from an acorn--the urban trees that are grown in nurseries and transplanted are immediately compromised because of having their roots either trimmed to fit in a pot or confined in a burlap root bag. I so appreciate all the trees around me, and it makes me sad that they are so domesticated and deprived of their full natural life.
I can imagine they live to those ages, especially in less polluted times. Nice what you write about bur oaks. I heard white oaks are the keystone species in many forests in the East Coast, including where I live b/c of all the acorns and species it supports. And it absorbs white quartz so has a certain pinkish, sandy quality. Yeah, I know all of my trees!
Yes, bur oaks are a kind of white oak. They are amazing beings.
I misspoke about Nigel Palmer--I should have said I follow him on Youtube. He doesn't seem to be on Substack.
oh I see him on youtube now, thanks. He knows a lot! Gypsum, basalt, calcium carbonate.
Thank you for this well researched article. Fascinating and in line with what I know about germ vs terrain theory.
I work on a small organic vegetable farm. The couple that owns it cares very much about the soil health and producing nutrient dense veggies. They never till, use compost, reject chemicals that are allowed by USDA organic standards but they feel are harmful, they are always checking the microbial life and doing soil tests. Yet, they still deal with some aphids, other insect pests, and mold/fungal issues. I had never considered the UV light being blocked by the greenhouse and hoop houses we use during the New England winter as a possible culprit. But we still have these problems when growing outside in direct sun. I often read about how healthy plants don't have these problems, but I have not been able to find anyone that produces fruits and vegetables in any large quantity that doesn't have these problems or has natural a solution for them.
I am going to inquire about the Brix test and see if I can find any correlation to our crops that have issues. Thanks again!
thanks, Christin. Without knowing the specifics of your farm and being general, my opinion is that life is all about cycles of growth, sustenance, and decay, which I constantly write about, like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva or Sun, Earth, Moon, etc. We see this in nature, and all of the dead logs in a forest are needed as part of the balance. The ash and oak leaves i see from my window acquire blemishes in late Summer or so as part of its cycle. There has to be decay in the garden at various phases of each plants' cycles, so there will always be some level of pests. So I accept this and just try to find a good balance so the bugs don't get out of control. But it could be something with pollution levels or the wrong levels of minerals, etc.
Why did they ban wild gooseberries and wild currants?
they say gooseberries and currants are co-hosts with the white pine tree and other pines in northeastern states, so although the ban was lifted at the federal level, these states still ban them. I often wonder why wild fruits and other foods are not sold at stores.
from chatgpt:
Current Status of Ribes in the U.S.:
Federal Level: No nationwide ban on Ribes exists anymore, but local and state restrictions remain in place in areas where white pine is economically or ecologically important.
State-Level Bans or Restrictions:
Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and others: Restrictions on planting specific Ribes species near pine forests.
Rust-resistant Ribes varieties are often exempt from these bans.
Where I live in Massachusetts is a little island off the beach called Gooseberry Island. I grew up going there my whole childhood. I never saw (or ate) a gooseberry until I moved to Oregon as n adult much later. I have never seen one again.
I planted a gooseberry bush in the wrong part of my land when i moved here, but it's still hanging on. I've bought some at stores, and they are popping with flavor.
I'm tempted to spread some around here... Maybe on gooseberry island where they must have once proliferated!