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Orono Weekly Tînes--, Wednesday, September 6,1995i WITH DucKS UNLIMITED THE'ITREE Too often, humans think of trees only in termns of our own values. Certainly we are all aware of their beauty, and of how we depend on the products like build- ing materials, newsprint and fire- wood they provide. But many of us are not aware of a tree's impor- tance to other life forms. As seasons and years pass, a tree grows through many stages in its life cycle. t takes on ever-increasing importance in the lives of the creatures that live around it. A seed on fertile ground, having already escaped hungry birds and squirrels, has an impor- tant destiny to fulfili as it begins to sprout. At first small and hidden among the flowers, it undergoes a transformation aided by sunlight and warm summer rains. t begins ta reach for the sky. As a sapling, its leaves offer forage to 'a hungry deer. Its, bark nourishes a rabbit on a cold winter day. As it reaches higher, a buck may use its slender trunk to rub the velvet from his new antlers in preparation for battle. S oon the saplîng is a smalIl tree. A bull moose, no longer able to reach hig h enough to browse on tender twigs in the crown, rubs an-itchy shoulder on the widening trunk while a small bird, hidden among the upper branches voices a dlaim over the surrounding land. Years pass, and the branches of the maturing tree hide a raccoon as it snoozes away the day high above the ground while awaiting the cover of night to for- age on the forest floor. Birds build their nests wîthin its sheltered green canopy and a litter of squir- rels play acrabat in the maze of intertwining twigs, safe fromn dan-_ ger that lurks below. Deep in the fores t, a spreading tree protects delicate creatures from the parching sum- mer suni, drenching spring rains and the biting winds of winter. Thickening branches camouflage a sleeping owl and halfway up a sturdy trunk, a frightened bear cub hides while mother deals with an intruder. For a farnily of beavers, the tree prov ides raw materials to build a lodge and tender twigs ta store in the winter food cache. When the tiee blossoms, becs gath- er a sweet harvest of nectar and, by summer's end, fruits and seils are collected to fatten tItose who must face the long, cold winter. In winter, a tree plays an important role, catching snow that will later melt and seep to the roots of all the plants nearby. In spring, its heavy branches slow the meit- ing of snow and reduce the flow of water ta swollen rivers as they make their way to sea. 0f immeasurable value in the lives of forest inhabitants while it lives, a tree is just as important when it dies. 1Insects honeycomb the rotting centre of a dead tree, boring tunnels that will later bc cleared out by a woodpecker and made into a safe nesting cavity. Many other creatures use hollow trees for nest- ing and rearing their young, too. Among themn are wood ducks, goldeneye ducks, wasps, squirrels and raccoons. Each, in turn, may modi- fy the cavity ta suit its require- ments. A young squirrel, looking for a winter den, will use an aban- doned woodpecker hole, but first must chew the opening large Ail Terrain Attire & Accessories Ian McDougall (905) 697-1981 We[I, t! You Stand Back Here OMcer You Can See What Happenedl CRIMESTOPPERS Crimestoppers and Durham Regional Police are asking for the publics assistance in solving a number of break, enter and theft incidents which occurred in Beaverton between April and August of this year. Between April l2th and August 6th Beaverton Mower and Marine located on the Sth Concession in Beaverton was forcibly entered, Entry was gained on bath occa- sions by forcibly removing the front entrance door from the busi- ness premise. Thieves made off enough to squeeze through. A rac- coon, entering a narrow cavity thro ugh a large knothole, will scratch away soft decaying sides until there is room enough to house herseif and her smallmasked young. A wood duck will search for days ta find a cavity just the right size, then line it with down ta protect her eggs. As time takes its toil, the trunk crumbles and begins to lean. The decaying woad nurtures mass, lichens and fungi in a remarkable array of form and color. When finally the old hulk cornes crashing to the ground, its prone hollow sill offers a place for a squirrel to store nuts or a fox to bide. A ruffed grouse finds the fallen form a con- venient place from which ta "drum" its territorial message. Grubs and worms devour decay- ing wood and in turn are eaten by other creatures. 1As years pass by, the remains of the once high and mighty tree become grown over by moss and fern. A long, narrow mound of earth is the only cvi- dence a large tree once grew there. But from'the rich, brown soil, a new seed sprouts and the cycle is renewed as the seedling reaches for the sky. The children are back ta schooi "just" and you have received their fali and winter scheduie and it is naw time ta look through the new travel brochures and make a decision as ta which destination you are going ta select for this years winter or spring vacation. This year the sky is the limit, new destinations are being offered by aimost ail of the major tour companies, and the aid standby's are offering a number of cost saving options. Kids stay and eat free is a very good value for those of you with small chiidren. Many hotels are offering an ail inclusive option with approximately $8000.()( in property which included: 5 HUSQVARNA chain saws 1 STIHL pressure washer 6 STIHL chain saws. 6 STIHL grass trimmers 1 STIHL back pack blower 1 HOMELITE 8 horse gas generator The premises sustained approx- imately $2500.00 damage during the forcible entries. Crimestoppers will pay a cash reward of up to $ 1000.00 for any information that leads to an arrest in this incident or any other serious offence. As a caller you neyer have to give your name or go to court. Preventing crime is a communi- ty concern. Help prevent crime in your community. Give Durham Region Crimestoppers a caîl. Where long distance applies cal which is very good for budgeting, and you can pay for everythîng in Canadian dollars. Mickey Mouse is very popular again this year and Disney has added some modestly priced hotels. Cruising is always popular and most cruise uines are off erîng even better value for your travel dollar. Early booking bonuses differ from company ta company and can save yau a ton on money. Stop and pick up the new brochures, have, a family conference, and REMEMBER planning is haif the fun. Remember when you think of Travel, Think of BLESSINGS TRAVEL CENTRE Vanstone Mill 623-0005 MASARU KARATE CLUB SHORI N-RYU Classes for Children and Aduits Nowvaîàbi.., Matia Ars upplies Rick Jones, Newtonviile 905-786-2793 COING ON A TRIP??? GETTINO MA RRIED??? Planning a Special Evening on the Town for Dinner, the Theatre or the Big Game??? HOURGLASS I ~Limousine Service wl!! get you there and back in safety, com fort and style. CALL TO RESERVE EARLY Turavel Talk with Elizabeth Belanger-Linkietter CTC MW toil free at 1-800-978-8477 or locally at 436-8477. Durham Region Crirnestoppers does flot subscribe to calI display. Sergeant Kevin Slaney is the co-- ordinator with Durham Region Crimestoppers and submits this article in the interests of solving crime. TAX TI PS (NC)-Your unpaid taxes willCost you 211/ more in interest as of July 1. Of concern 10 everyone who may owe taxes, this is partieularly important information for people who owfl businesses or who are self- ernployed. A chartered aceountant tan, advise on how to minimize interest and penalties when paying taxes in instailments. Broughr to von bY the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario