Last Updated on May 15, 2017

Troll 003This time of year, the Nature Trail is a fairly dormant operation, but a few things keep it interesting. For one, we have added a troll (see pic). He is properly green and peers out from the old spring opening, which seems appropriate, since by Norwegian lore they live in caves. He is about 50 feet from the covered bridge, which is also appropriate, since they reportedly like to hide under bridges and reach up to grab passersby. To round things out, the series of tree section seats nearby can be considered the trolls’ meeting room. Anyhow, kids especially like this part of the Nature Trail, and now they have another reason to enjoy it.

The old dead (but spectacular) weeping cherry tree in front of the Chapel was taken down last week, but it will be recycled in the form of its chips being added to the Nature Trail. Please see the separate blog input on the tree.

snowstorm201601At Lake Charles the Grounds Department has had a contractor treating invasive plants in the Lake until the end of the year. This is done annually, with one chemical being used for algae control, and another chemical being used for control of water primrose. The latter is a rooted invasive plant with a pretty yellow blossom, but it grows to the point that it chokes the margins of the Lake, which is especially perturbing to our fishermen and members of the Black Swan Yacht Club. Also at the Lake, a new section of fence was put in on the east side, because intruders had collapsed part of the old fence. The uninvited guests had not only compromised our perimeter security, but the purpose of their visits was to go fishing, and they didn’t exactly obey our catch-and-release policy at the Lake.

Lastly, as I write this blog on January 23, it is still snowing, with at least 18″ on the ground at mid-day, so I thought a couple of snow pix of the Nature Trail might be appropriate

snowstorm201601

Bert Clegern
Co-Chairman
Charlestown Nature Trail Committee