Good Earth

I had the opportunity to mill a very large Madrone (Arbutus Menziesii) for a client the other day. It was a real treat to save this beautiful wood from the firewood pile! Slab is 27" wide x 12' long

Texture is the star of the winter garden. Positioning deciduous shrubs and perennials strategically throughout the landscape can provide beauty and interest even in the dreariest of months. Plus, leaving the seed heads and dried stems up through the cold season provides seed and shelter for wildlife.

Wondering how to prepare your garden for winter without disturbing overwintering insects? Along with leaving the leaves for beneficial insects, remember that small carpenter bees, yellow-faced bees, and other stem-nesting bees will overwinter in hollow plant stems! Leave seed heads and stems intact over the winter to provide food for birds and shelter for insects. The best time to prune back dead plant stems is in spring, just before bees start flying. For more information, see our guide to Nesting and Overwintering Habitat for Pollinators and Other Beneficial Insects!

Learn more in our Nesting & Overwintering Habitat For Pollinators & Other Beneficial Insects guide
https://xerces.org/publications/fact-sheets/nesting-overwintering-habitat

Photo: A nest tunnel in a cut stem (Sara Morris).