Yes, definitely check it out.

Important thing is that Norway maple won’t provide food for caterpillars, which are 100% necessary for many birds to have babies around these parts. So it takes care of one part of a birds needs whereas a native tree would produce the full spectrum of characteristics that they need to persist.

Cool to think about how complex the food web really is. Good luck on the project! 🤙🤙

Typing in with my semi-related thought. That is a crimson King Norway maple. If you’re in North America it is a subpar tree. If you take a swing at the work but the tree gets damaged in your project, could always replace it with something native to provide for our long-suffering wild friends. Doesn’t solve your problem but adds an extra wrinkle of consideration.

I think I’ve seen this little one’s relative elsewhere at this preserve. Absolute monster Brown water snake.

Fourth group, bicycle people

✊