What is happening here?

Given that I consider myself a steward of the land I live on, the most important question to ask when considering new projects is, "What is happening here?" It's not, "What are my goals for this land?" or "How can I make this land more productive?" These are important questions, but they will not be well answered if the first question is skipped over.

A few years ago one of my apple trees died. I don't know why and never will know most likely. Perhaps fire blight or inability to survive in poor soil during drought or the variety just wasn't a good match for the climate here. The map I made when I planted the orchard says it was a Jonathan. I cut the limbs off but left the main trunk standing.

At its base young pawpaw trees were growing. The thought that the pawpaws contributed to the apple's demise had crossed my mind, but I thought it unlikely. It seemed more probable that the Jonathan was already declining and the pawpaws were utilizing the space and nutrients that the apple's decaying roots left behind.

When I inspected a wooded area several yards away, I found another pawpaw. Down over the bank toward the river to the north of the orchard, dozens of pawpaws were growing happily in the shade of large cherry trees. This was no doubt the source of the young ones that now surrounded the dead apple stump. Questing roots travelled underground and found this spot copacetic.

I could have cut down the tree and replaced it when its decline became apparent. By now I might have another apple tree with a good start on life. Lack of time and funds, and a curiosity to see what would happen, caused me to do nothing more that remove dead limbs to prevent them falling on us. I now have the beginnings of a pawpaw grove in the orchard, with no effort on my part. Also, if I simply stop mowing around this area, the grove is likely to grow in size. Less work will lead to having more trees.

I will probably never know what other opportunities have been missed due to lack of understanding of natural events occurring on the land. In the example I've described, a deficit of time and funds led to a desirable outcome: I learned something and now I have pawpaws in the orchard. This fact shouldn't be used to glorify poverty or an overly busy life, but sometimes there is a silver lining.

When observing the natural world, the goal is to silence the inner monologue and engage the senses. We sit quietly to identify birdsong, or enjoy the sweet scents on the air to ascertain what trees are blooming. But what about elements that are beyond our senses? The mass of pawpaw roots that lies underground throughout this area is invisible to us aboveground creatures, yet undoubtedly must exist. Knowledge of how pawpaw trees spread, and observation over time, have led to this logical conclusion. What other aspects of nature are present and integral in landscapes, yet remain beyond our senses?

Protracted observation, drawing on ecological scholarship, and above all keeping an open mind and humble outlook, is the best recipe for answering the question, "What is happening here?" The simple answer to this question is, "More than you can understand in a lifetime." The full year of observation recommended for those embarking on a permaculture project is really just a toe in the water. Serious practitioners should prepare for a deep dive.