From kowens@teleport.comThu Jan 4 18:42:58 1996 Date: Thu, 04 Jan 1996 09:34:26 -0500 From: Jeff Owens Reply to: Community_Forestry_Discussion To: tree-house@lists.umbc.edu Subject: Re: TH: About EarthWorms ... This year we are trying various cover crops and mulching methods to see what works and what does not. One thing I have noticed is that the worms have increased in some areas. This is not a very scientific test, just taking a sample of the soil with a shovel. But, it does indicate that worms like clover. In areas with clover I find worms everywhere. Other areas with heavy mulch also attract worms, but not as numerously. Even the area we are mulching with ant hills has attracted worms. This might be an interesting strategy for planting trees. Scatter some clover seed around the tree at planting time to give the tree some help with nitrogen and soil building. The one caution would be to look out for moles. I don't know how the moles find the worms, maybe that is the purpose of that big nose on the front of the mole? Changing subjects: I have been reading about history and trees and find the data very interesting. Areas of the earth have been deforested and other areas have increasing trees. The big factor seems to be man. Surprisingly one of the big users of trees was shipbuilding. Another one was goats. Today, the problems have changed, and history doesn't provide any easy answers. But, it still seems to be the basic problem of looking at trees as a consumable material and not as part of a sustainable cycle. Jeff