My horses’ initial reaction to newly planted tree in paddock? Run around and snort like crazy.
Their second reaction was to stop and observe from a distance.
Then each horse gathered round to thoughtfully consider the sapling’s presence.
After some tree contemplation, the horses huddled together to sniff noses. They reassured each other that the new addition was not a threat.
While Bear and Shiloh did not attempt to grab a snack, Piper let me know quickly that my initial attempt at putting a temporary fence around the tree was ineffective. I have since widened the fence line so curious and hungry noses like his can’t reach the vulnerable newbie.
Postscript- A week later and a half later, my Liriodendron Tulipifera (otherwise known as a Tulip Poplar) is still alive and upright. This is my first foray into raising a tree. A tree that was specifically selected to add shade to a horse paddock. I originally planned on a row of three trees. But then I figured out how expensive trees are! So I settled on one fast-growing tree variety that already has some growth on it. I’m a nervous new parent. Not exactly sure what I’m doing. I keep reading that transplantation is hard on little trees. And that nurturing them is as much an art as it is a science. I’m not sure how it is all going to go. Sounds something like backyard horse-keeping, right?
The Backyard Horse Blog 
It’s beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew immediately when I saw it at the nursery that it was my tree. I was weirdly drawn to it. Now I just pray I can keep it alive and growing . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
horses!😄😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do enjoy watching them try to figure out stuff. I don’t enjoy the fact that they get stressed at new things, of course, but observing them as they come to terms with something that is initially scary is interesting. I loved how the horses worked as a herd to assess the new tree and then helped calm each other down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it crazy how expensive full-ish grown trees are?? My voice went up a few octaves when a coworker told me how much they paid to buy a full grown tree and have the same company dig out the hole and plant it for them. Like, yeesh. It’s why my parents bought baby pine trees to line the property and then fertilize them every month to help them grow (we have very poor, sandy soil, so fertilizer is needed). Shade is always a plus, though! The horses are so funny 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, ha! Voice going up an octave is right! Funny! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
ok this was really cute ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Emma! Every once in a while, I can manage to get an entire “story” on camera rather than just one or two illustration shots which is my standard. Kind of fun to explain what happened mostly through the lense of a smart phone.
LikeLike