McCoy Farm & Gardens Newsletter | |
Volume Eight: Issue Three XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX March 2023 | |
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Join the 3rd Annual Weed Wrangle
Saturday, March 4, 9 AM-Noon
Come join other volunteers to learn about the invasive properties of English ivy, identify it, and help remove the harmful species from McCoy Farm & Gardens. We will meet in the parking lot at 9 AM. Please bring gloves, water, hand pruners or loppers, and wear sturdy clothes and closed-toe shoes.
Questions? Contact Riki-Lynne Willmon at rikilynne@gmail.com
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Introducing New Board Member Elizabeth Hamilton | |
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Elizabeth Hamilton first volunteered at McCoy Farm & Gardens in the fall of 2019 when she attended a Weed Wrangle to remove invasive plants. She has a passion for native plants and rescuing local trees from invasive vines. Elizabeth noted English ivy growing all over the property, and she created an ivy map to help guide an attack on the pest. She has led several Weed Wrangles to remove invasive vines. She is pictured here with other members of the Kudzu Attack Team in September, 2019.
Elizabeth was clearing invasive English ivy near the apple house when she was recruited by Sallie Ford to join the Garden Committee. In 2020, she worked with the Garden Committee to design and build the Children's Garden. She created a variety of designs using CAD software until the committee settled on just the right one. She is particularly proud of the herb spiral that she built with the help of Larry Roberts.
Last summer she worked with interns on a project to catalog the variety of native and invasive plants at McCoy Farm & Gardens. Elizabeth is an enthusiastic member of the Board of Directors, chairing the Gardens Committee. She is an Electrical Engineer by training and moved to Signal Mountain in 2017 with her husband and daughter who is ten years old.
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Who is cutting down the apple trees? | |
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Don't be alarmed! No one is cutting down the apple trees. A team of volunteers is simply pruning the trees to make them healthier and more productive. One-third or less of each tree is removed in any one year. Because our apple trees have grown too tall, that one-third looks very large when it’s on the ground.
In addition, our apple trees have been neglected for a long time. That means they have dead, weak, diseased, and misplaced limbs that affect the tree’s health. When these troublemakers are removed, they add to the pile of limbs you see as you walk by.
To produce fruit well, an apple tree must be pruned to allow light and air to reach all the fruit-bearing limbs. Without such attention, the upper limbs grow so vigorously they shade out the lower limbs where we want apples at a level we can reach.
In early photographs, we can see that the Bachman-McCoy property had apple trees planted in several locations. Before Taft Highway was cut through the farm, the slope from the barn up to James Boulevard was covered in apple trees. Now the only apple trees remaining are in what we know as “the Orchard.” The varieties planted there were commercially useful varieties, and they were sold from the Apple House, where cider was also made and sold.
The apple trees at McCoy Farm & Gardens are an important part of its history. They also contribute to an understanding of how a self-sustaining small family farm operated. The orchard is an educational component of this asset in the Town of Walden. We are grateful to the folks who are working to rejuvenate the orchard so everyone can enjoy it for years to come.
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This old photo shows apple trees growing on the slope up to James Boulevard before Taft Highway was cut through the farm. Can you identify the exact spot where the picture was taken by orienting yourself through the well house that still stands near the Children's Sensory Garden? | |
Tom Voychehovski, Bob Gray, and Karen Stone with an apple tree that had three hollow trunks. Removing the hazardous dead portions may allow the tree to recover. | |  |
Barbara Chapman, Bob Gray and Karen Stone encourage Tom Voychehovski as he moves the large branch that was pruned from the tree behind them. | | |
After a collaborative decision about where to make the "big cut," Bob Gray begins pruning with a pole chainsaw. | | |
Beth Myers and Karen Stone finish the 2023 pruning season by hauling limbs to the burn pile. | | |
Mulberry Propagation Project Underway | |
Bob Gray works with Mary Evelyn Pearce to select good branches with plenty of buds. | | |
Melissa Nimon cuts scions (twigs or shoots) that will be used for grafting later in the spring. | | |
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The red mulberry tree in the Horseshoe Garden is noted for the abundance of its delicious fruit each summer. Forester Paul Ensminger noticed the exceptional characteristics of this particular tree and suggested propagation of saplings to sell as a fundraiser.
The first step is taking scion cuttings as the buds begin to form and before they swell. On Saturday, February 18, a team led by Bob Gray, and including Mary Evelyn Pearce, Tom Voychehovski, Karen Stone, and Melissa Nimon, began the propagation process. The next step of potting the rootstock and grafting will take place later in the spring.
If you'd like to join the Mulberry Propagation committee, reach out to Melissa at 423-598-1658.
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If you look closely, you will see a large owl box above Rob Hereford's right shoulder and a second box just above his head in the distance. Earl Hereford helped with the installation and took the photo. | |
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Screech Owl Boxes Placed
Thanks to a donation of nest-box building materials from Happinest Wildlife Rehabilitation and Rescue, volunteer Terry Knox was able to build two screech owl boxes. Earl and Rob Hereford then installed them in the glade near one another in hopes of attracting a nesting pair.
In early spring, the female owl will usually spend a few days roosting in various places around the nesting site. At this time, the male often occupies the nest cavity, calling from within. Then, either the female joins the male or occupies the nest herself. Throughout her time in the nest, the male roosts nearby and maintains vocal contact with soft trills. March is an excellent time to observe this owl variety.
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Mark your calendars for the inaugural
McCoy Egg Roll
Sunday, April 2, 2-4 PM
We're planning fun on the lawn for the whole family with a traditional wooden spoon egg roll, a downhill egg roll, cookie decorating, visiting with the Easter Bunny, and more. Plan to join us and look for more details in the next newsletter.
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help with selling tickets, games, setup, cleanup, and more. To help, please contact Annette Wildman at acwildman@epbfi.com
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Interested in Volunteering? | |
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Volunteers are essential to McCoy Farm & Gardens.
When you sign up, tell us about how you'd like to help. Volunteer opportunities include: Grounds, House, Gardens, Communications, History, Events, and Administration. If you don't see your particular interest, tell us how you'd like to volunteer. Sign up below to receive information about regular volunteer days and events.
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Interested in Scheduling an Event? | |
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Contact McCoy Farm & Gardens Event Director
Cynthia Pennington cynthia@mccoywalden.org
to learn more about renting space at McCoy for your next event.
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Or mail your check to McCoy Farm & Gardens, P.O. Box 443, Signal Mountain, TN 37377 | |
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We are now able to receive your contribution of securities.
If you would like to support McCoy in this tax-advantaged way,
please contact our office at
423-598-1658.
McCoy Farm & Gardens is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. All contributions are charitable and tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law.
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McCoy Farm & Gardens covers thirty-eight acres and features the
Bachman-McCoy home, gardens, and several outbuildings including
the Pavilion, Carriage House, Barn, and Blacksmith Workshop.
The perimeter walking trail is 1.1 miles.
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NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Karen Stone newsletter@mccoywalden.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:XXXXXXXX WALDEN OFFICIALS:
Mickey Robbins, President XXXXXX Mayor: Lee Davis
Joe Davis, Vice President XXXXXXX Alderman: Lizzy Schmidt
Larson Mick, Secretary XXXXXXXX Alderman Angela Cassidy
Leanna Jones, Treasurer XXXXXXX EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Linda Collins, Grants XXXXXXXXX Melissa Nimon
Elizabeth Hamilton, Gardens XXXX 423- 598-1658
Earl Hereford, Projects XXXXXXXX melissa@mccoywalden.org
Andy Jones, Grounds XXXXXXXXX EVENT DIRECTOR
Anne Leonard, House XXXXXXXXX Cynthia Pennington
Anne Hayes Pearce, Volunteers XXX423-619-8959
Susan Snow, Policies XXXXXXXXX cynthia@mccoywalden.org
Karen Stone, Publicity
Fred Wildman, Property Maintenance
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