Garden walkways, the benefits of "nature pictures" and lilacs

Wood chips.  These are from the sumac cut out of the barn foundation.  This is the path that leads to the orchard and it is along the north end of my garden

Corduroy.  These are also sumac stems.  You can see where the enthusiastic dogs kicked them loose.

Pallet wood. Hey, it was free.

3" "cookies".  So far I think I like this method best.

These are from a black walnut that I cut.  Hand included in photo for size reference.

The benefits of walking and looking at nature pictures

...studies reveal that window views that include natural elements (compared with window views that do not) are associated with superior memory, attention, and impulse inhibition, as well as greater feelings of subjective well-being. These correlational findings are buttressed by experimental findings showing, for example, that nature experience (usually in urban greenspace) can improve memory and attention and increase positive mood. Experimenters also have used psychophysiological methods to characterize the ways in which images and sounds of the natural environment lead to decreased stress and negative emotion after participants have been subjected to stressful stimuli. Taken together, these and numerous other studies provide compelling evidence that nature experience may confer real psychological benefits

Lilacs

I went for a walk in a local park to scout out lilac bushes.  I saw this guy next to the parking lot.

The white grocery bag is tied at 6' above ground.

This is another specimen.  The white grocery bag is tied at 6' above the ground.  I want to go back when these are in bloom and document their colors and fragrance.

These are obviously big, old specimens.

The stem on this one is about 12" in diameter.  Most of those little stems are seedlings rather than suckers.  I have it from a trustworthy source that they are very easy to lift and transplant.

Lilacs can be incredibly durable plants.  There are several lilac bushes on Mackinac Island that are documented to be over 150 years old.  These seedlings might be an interesting addition to a future windbreak.