Dang Gopher

I had one native mountain ash seedling left over after planting for the pups, so I put it in a prominent spot in front of the house. The next day a dang gopher had nipped off the top. I knew it was a gopher because he left his calling card - two turds. The top bud had been in the process of leafing out, and the little baby leaves were just lying on the ground next to the sad looking stem. Perhaps they smelled good but tasted bad?