The Cottonwood Inn, Just One Animal Tree House

Although there isn't a 'Home Sweet Home' plank nailed on the front of most trees, these living and sometimes dead structures provide wildlife a haven of rest, protection, and nourishment.

Come with me for a walk in the woods, across the leaves, down the winding trail as the wind brushes across your face. The tree to the right is brown and sunken half way into the ground like a wounded wooden soldier, not so tall or strong anymore. But look a bit closer and you'll discover that it's still strong enough to hold a family of raccoons in the hewn out limb buried in the tongued ivy.

As we follow the winding trail southward towards the stream, you'll see a mammoth cottonwood tree with giant leaves flagging in the wind. It too, holds wildlife; a possum during the day and two bunnies by night.

What about the rotted lingering pile that once was a towering oak? It served time well, its history filled with inhabitants such as a family of bluebirds, hundreds of nesting squirrels, a myriad of sparrows, seven snakes, and two barrels of woodrats. Even now, it lures the smaller and more fragile wildlife into its decaying hollows for sweet refuge.

As an acorn falls from a nearby tree, we share a knowing glance that soon another tree will spring to life to form a sanctuary for the future offspring's of nature.