Bonsai lessons, bird interactions and gardening tips were all shared on the Olive Branch City Hall front lawn during “Olive Branch Outdoors–” a new event in the city that is a part of both the Farmers Market and an effort to revitalize Old Towne
“It’s an activation of the charm of the Old Towne area, an opportunity to cross-program with things that are already happening in our city and allow the community to come out and really enjoy it. Olive Branch communications coordinator Jen Griffith said.
Olive Branch Outdoors is in its second year. The idea began with the Wesson House committee, who were looking for additional events to coincide with the Olive Branch Farmers Market. The result was “OB Outdoors–” an event all about learning about the natural resources of DeSoto County.
This year saw presentations from four groups– Brussel’s Bonsai, Magnolia Wildlife, Master Gardeners and Wild Birds Unlimited.
Magnolia Wildlife’s director Debbie Crum blew the opening whistle of the Farmers Market and, alongside her partner for the event, Chris Banks, presented two birds the organization rescued– “Jimmy Dean,” a Mississippi kite and “Unali,” an Eastern screech owl.
Magnolia Wildlife director Debbie Crum introduces “Unali,” an Eastern screech owl
Jake Lankford//DTT
Crum said both birds were brought to the rescue in bad shape and cannot be released back into the wild. Both birds are now used for educational programs.
Crum said Jimmy Dean got his name from him being kidnapped as a baby and being fed Jimmy Dean sausages for the first six weeks of life. Dean is unable to fly because he broke his wing bones when he tried to fly.
Unali, also a baby at the time, was recovered from the middle of Highway 69 and, Crum said, his eyes were covered in ants. He is semi-blind in one eye as a result.
Crum said bringing these birds to Olive Branch as part of OB Outdoors is a great way to get the rescue’s message out.
“For us, Olive Branch is home, but so many people in Olive Branch don’t know what we actually have here, things that we have in nature that people aren’t able to comprehend until they get out and see it.” Crum said.
Banks added that the event is a perfect time to educate the public on how to tell different bird species apart.
“This is a Mississippi kite and a lot of people get them mixed up with hawks. We like to be able to spread the word and so people can distinguish what type of bird is what.” Banks said.
Chris O’Bryan, of Brussel’s Bonsai, came to OB Outdoors with a selection of trees and tools of the trade– wire-cutters, wiring and snippers for the leaves and gave a demonstration of Bonsai techniques and trees.
When one woman asked about how O’Bryan gets the ficus bonsai to curve like it does, he said it is through bending the tree carefully when it is young.
“It’s actually pretty flexible.” O’Bryan said. “Say this had roots and it was going into the ground, I’d take a straight-trunk tree, dig it up, repot it into the ground and tie a wire to it. Now I have a S-curve tree, and you can do that with almost any tree.”
The bonsai process doesn’t harm the tree, but maintains a careful balance of allowing the tree’s natural growth pattern to happen and manipulating it through wiring, cutting and, very sparingly used, grafting.
“The trees are used to it in a lot of ways. Almost any gardening is making use of the tree’s adaptive capabilities. It’s not too different than shearing your shrubs at home.” O’Bryan said.
O’Bryan said that bringing the ficus and other bonsai selections to the event is one way Brussel’s Bonsai can present the art form to more people.
“There’s a rich community of bonsai enthusiasts in Olive Branch and Memphis and the more evangelization I can do, the better.” O’Bryan said.
Wild Birds Unlimited owner Jennifer Watson brought a collection of the shop’s natural birdseed, as well as sunflower seeds to plant and take home. Watson said that maintaining these native plant populations, such as sunflowers, is important for preserving bird populations.
Jenny Watson (left), owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, explains the importance of sunflowers for native bird populations.
Jake Lankford//DTT
“Birds eat from sunflowers. They are considered a native plant.” Watson said. “Birds are very important, not just for our crops, but for pollination in general. They’re beautiful. They’re fun to watch.”
Watson said planting flowers such as sunflowers provides migratory songbirds with the food they need and helps maintain songbird populations.
“They love to eat sunflower seeds. Birds eat off sight, so they are familiar with what that flower gives to them.” Watson said.
In addition to the sunflower seeds and take-home soil cups, Watson brought several bags of the shop’s homemade birdseed, shelled sunflower seeds and peanuts, with no other additives to it.
“A lot of times when you buy seed, it’s 27% edible. Our seed is 100% edible. Even with the shell, you buy seed by weight, so a lot of times you’re paying for the shell. This seed has no shells, so you’re getting more seed for what you pay.” Watson said.
Watson said it is important to bring the message of protecting birds and their plants to OB Outdoors because of the challenges birds are facing, and also a good opportunity to bring some beauty to Olive Branch.
“I love it, I love bringing education, but I also like the idea of making the place that I’m from and I love beautiful and a magnet for birds.” Watson said.
Olive Branch resident Tina Perry said she came to OB Outdoors to see the scenery and support the local community.
“It’s the people I love, talking to the people and the different things they have. I always visit the bird store, so it’s the little local things here and the people.” Perry said.