Trees for the field

My first hole is in place!

"It's time to plant trees." That's what Ed said yesterday, surprising me because I had just that moment been thinking we needed some trees for our lower field. We both agreed immediately on Cottonwood trees. Why such huge trees for a field we're going to use for veggie planting? Because the soil's dead in that field; it's been compacted by horses staked and standing on it for years. Not only will the tree roots break up the soil but its leaves will keep the ground cool (preventing the annual summer bake-off) and release moisture into the air that will drop to the ground to keep it damp. I'll be adding more smaller trees and shrubs as time goes on for the same reason. I dug the first hole yesterday–I LOVE the tractor for digging holes! (otherwise it's too noisy)–and there wasn't so much as a worm to be seen. I'll be adding plenty of horse manure, chicken straw and leaves before the Cottonwood's roots touch the soil.