Country ZEST & Style Spring 2023 Edition

TREES

By Vicky Moon

Photos by Dillionkeenphotography

The tree canopy adds a majestic touch

The main hunter ring at Grafton Farm is noted for its stately collection of white oak and black gum trees. Some are historic, and when it became evident that one particular older oak had to be cut down, tree expert Michael Gaige was called in to supervise. His business, Knowyourland.com is located in the horse heaven of Saratoga Springs, New York.

Michael Gaige

My landscape lens sees three interwoven landscape layers: physical (geology, water, climate); biological (plants, animals); and cultural (the ways humans have shaped the former). These layers build a story of landscape evolution that is, on account of ecology and history, unique to every site.

See also Michael Gaige’s website: https://www.knowyourland.com/about

Michael has worked with the nearby Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Upperville and is an advocate for sustainable land use and zero carbon footprint. (That means put those dreadful blowers away please.) He is consulting with the horse show to accurately age a white oak near the in-gate. “The tree died some years ago — maybe ten,” he told us. “It stood by the main ring just outside the fence. They’ve taken a slice from it and had it sanded and varnished for display. So, I will age it by the annual rings. My initial rough count was 240 years so it should be much clearer now that it is cleaned up.” The show, presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN, is a United States Equestrian Federation Heritage Horse Show to promote amateur equine activities and to benefit The Churches of Upperville Outreach program and other local charities. Details: upperville.com. Free parking and general admission all week.