Bench 6 at Kuse Nature Preserve
From Bench 6, a wide expanse of fields and forest land can be seen. Think about how the area was once covered with giant boulders left by the glacier. There were giant White Pine trees that were cut, the cutover was cleared by early settlers, the land was cultivated first by hand and then with the use of horses, oxen, and machinery of all kinds crops were grown.
Look north and think of the Harris family that had Pleasant View Farm, an experimental orchard with 300 fruit trees, and who planted the Black Hills Spruce trees in the area. Look north and think of the Wieden family that tried to farm but moved on to greater ventures in Dorchester. Think of how the land was divided up into smaller parcels and individual homes now dot the land.
Look at the buildings placed on the land by the Kuse family. Note the historic stone house. Think of the animals that lived in the historic barn made of hemlock wood.
The bench is near a crab apple tree, the descendant of other apple trees in the area. As you look in each direction, find examples of Buckthorn, White Pine, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, White Birch, Poplar, and Nannyberry trees or bushes. Smaller plants, such as Canada Goldenrod and Common Milkweed, attract insects and other wildlife. A few clumps of Big Bluestem grass brought from Iowa can be found among other native grasses.
Watch the changes in the clouds as they move across the sky. After a rainstorm, this is the place where a beautiful rainbow sometimes appears in the sky.
Watch the changes in the clouds as they move across the sky. After a rainstorm, this is the place where a beautiful rainbow sometimes appears in the sky.
Rainbows
After storms and hardships
Promises remain.
God gives sunshine
After the rain.
Loretta Kuse
Use the links on the grid below to help you observe.
Location Information |
Plants |
Animals |
Wiedens and Wieden's Roses |
Apple Tree |
Monarch Butterflies on Milkweed |
Picking Rocks |
Milkweed |
|
Other Harris Stories |
Nannyberry |
|
Experimental Orchard |
Buckthorn |
|
Pleasant View Farm |
Black Hills Spruce |
|
A Place to View Weather Changes |
Poplar |
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White Birch |
||
White Pine |
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© Dr. Hildegard Kuse and Dr. Loretta Kuse