Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Sally PB]

However, if I see good data regarding HPAI I will error on the side of caution. As of now, I'm hoping to see birds at CS2022.

I agree, always err on the side of caution. We'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

 

[aart]

That can be pretty dangerous to burn, it is very thick in places, and I'm highly allergic to it.

Don't even think about it....it's extremely dangerous, especially if you are allergic.

 

[troyer]

I agree about the invasives. I see red when I see people still recommending them and selling them... yeah, they are easy to grow - sheesh.

The more open areas - maybe. I'm not sure how cautious to be about the poison ivy. That can be pretty dangerous to burn, it is very thick in places, and I'm highly allergic to it.

My brothers and I used to play tag in it. During the summer when the neighbor children and us would get together for the day we went to the woods across the street to play tag. We always made sure to point out where the poison ivy areas were. Anytime we didn't want to get "caught" we would run into one of those areas for a time of rest and catching our breath. None of the neighbor children dared follow us into the poison ivy patch because they were allergic to it. We would then sit there and taunt them inviting them as children do, to come and tag us, we won't move. A couple of the times that there was one that was brave enough to do it, always regretted it later, because of the bad rashes they got for their troubles.
I don't know why we never were affected by it, but to this day I can pull the vines off the tree and be very mildly affected at worst.

 

[RaZ]

I agree about the invasives. I see red when I see people still recommending them and selling them... yeah, they are easy to grow - sheesh.

No. The pond is surrounded by a mature woods including below the embankment. And the trees left on the embankment are maples, beech, and ironwood 6 to 12 or more inches in diameter. Some have been dead for a decade. Plus the tops taken down over the last few years. Some pine with lots of needles under it mixed in the edges, and the dry leaves drifted everywhere. It would be much too dangerous.

The more open areas - maybe. I'm not sure how cautious to be about the poison ivy. That can be pretty dangerous to burn, it is very thick in places, and I'm highly allergic to it.

What I really want to do in the more open areas is run some cattle on it. Maybe a bit overstocked for a while. They would knock it down so I can get to what is left. But the house isn't close enough to do that, I'm lucky to get there once a week. I'm hoping to find someone to rent pasture. I have to put the fence in first, either a new fence or dig the old wire out up and put it on new posts. It is part of the unending list of things I'd like to do with it.

Be very cautious. Burned poison ivy fumes/smoke can be deadly. Don't do it. From what you've said it sounds like you have a tough, physical job in front of you. Good luck. Stay safe.

 

[1muttsfan]

It's very likely that the decision for there to be birds or no birds will not be up to us, but up to the department of agriculture.

I went 34 years without having any reaction to poison ivy at all, but once you have a reaction to it you are allergic to it forever, and inhaling burning plants is extremely dangerous.

Goats would do a better job at knocking down brush, and they'll eat poison ivy too.

 

[Sally PB]

It's very likely that the decision for there to be birds or no birds will not be up to us, but up to the department of agriculture.

True.

 

[saysfaa]

No worries. I'm not burning it; not even the brush piles. I call them habitat for rabbits but it is more honest to say that never reaches the top of the to do pile. They will break down on their own with time. It is more important to work on the things that will grow or spread with time.

Careful about assuming immunity too. There is some evidence that everyone is allergic and will react when their exposure threshold is reached - although the threashold is different for different people. And how fast they go from mild teactions to severe reactions varies too.

 

[troyer]

Careful about assuming immunity too. There is some evidence that everyone is allergic and will react when their exposure threshold is reached - although the threashold is different for different people. And how fast they go from mild teactions to severe reactions varies too.

We have friends that seemingly can just look at it and break out in a rash. So I realize that some people get it very easily.

 

[Sally PB]

the brush piles. I call them habitat for rabbits

We call those piles, "rabbitats."

 

[aart]

My long ago husband claimed immunity to PI,
so 'graciously' offer to remove it from the neighbors garden beds....
...got a nasty case and could never go near it again.
(served him right, but that's another story)