The Trees And Your Land: Stewardship for the Modern Homeowner

Bur Oak branches give life and character to your home.

What Is The Responsibility Of The Modern Homeowner When It Comes To Land Stewardship?

The wind blows through the leaves of the old bur oak, standing here long before your arrival. It stood here long before your house, the roads, the carefully manicured lawns. It was here when the prairie stretched out in a vast diverse savannah ecosystem, and it felt the hooves of bison thunder across the land. Now, it stands strong over your backyard, a silent guardian of a different kind of prairie. What kind of legacy of land stewardship does the modern homeowner have to carry forward?

Here in the Fox Valley, we find ourselves amongst some of the oldest and largest living organisms on the planet. We live alongside these ancient oaks, within fleeting remnants of vanished prairies. Our homes, nestled amongst what remains of this wild heritage, are more than just dwellings; they are part of a living story. A story that began long before us and will continue long after we're gone.

As a Certified Arborist, I often find myself thinking about legacy. Not just the legacy of the trees I care for, but the legacy we all leave on the land. What mark will we make? Will we be remembered as caretakers or consumers? Thinkers like Aldo Leopold, Wendell Berry, and Wallace Stegner understood this deeply. They knew that the land is not just a resource to be exploited, but a responsibility to be upheld. A responsibility that falls to each of us, whether we own acres of farmland or a small suburban lot.

Stegner wrote of the "geography of hope," the places that shape our identity and inspire us to protect them. For many of us, that place is here, in the heart of the Midwest. The rolling hills of Southern Wisconsin, the river valleys of Northern Illinois, the quiet beauty of our own backyards. These are the places we call home, the places that hold our memories and our dreams.

But what does it mean to be a steward of this land? It's more than just mowing the lawn and planting a few flowers. It's about understanding the interconnectedness of all living things, the delicate balance of the ecosystem. It's about making choices that honor the land, that contribute to its health and resilience.

Imagine your property as a microcosm of the larger landscape. The trees you plant provide habitat for birds and squirrels. The native flowers you cultivate attract pollinators, ensuring the continuation of countless species. The rain garden you install filters runoff, protecting our waterways.   

These actions may seem small, but they ripple outwards, creating a positive impact on the environment around you. And more than that, they cultivate a sense of connection, a sense of belonging to something larger than yourself.

Edward Abbey, the fiery defender of wilderness, once wrote, "The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders." The same could be said for our own little patches of earth. They need defenders, champions who will care for them, nurture them, and pass them on to future generations.

This is the essence of land stewardship. It's about recognizing the inherent value of the land, not just its economic worth. It's about taking pride in your property, not just its appearance, but its role in the larger ecosystem. It's about leaving a legacy that extends beyond your lifetime, a legacy of care, respect, and responsibility.

So, the next time you step into your backyard, take a moment to truly see it. See the trees reaching for the sky, the birds flitting amongst the branches, the life teeming beneath your feet. This is your piece of the prairie, your chance to make a difference. Embrace the responsibility, cultivate the connection, and become a steward of the land you call home. Your legacy, and the legacy of this land, depends on it.