South Dakota is not known for trees. Driving through Wisconsin I've often been known to remark "way to many trees." Prior to white settlement this area had trees only along rivers and streams. Those were mainly cottonwood and willows. On the open prairie the trees the fires didn't destroy bison would.
With the suppression of fires and the elimination of bison settlers planted trees. The climate is not conducive, at least wasn't prior to climate change, for many varieties of trees. Green ash are well suited to this climate. Consequently, a large percentage of the mature trees are ash.
Ash are conservative, slow to leaf out in the spring, able to withstand dry spells, and early to drop leaves in autumn. Not spectacularly beautiful, like red maple for instance, they do have a pretty yellow as their leaves prepare to drop.
With the preponderance of ash trees here the approach of the emerald ash borer creates dismay. There are too many ash in too many places to allow individual treatment of trees. Fortunately, in addition to many ash trees, Sinai has many hackberry trees. They do not boast beautiful colors but they are reliable; i.e., not susceptible to disease. The view from my dining room table is of two large trees; a hackberry and a catalpa.
Takk for Alt,
Al
Ash trees viewed from the front step of The Little House, picture taken today.
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