Revealing the view

Garden updates , , 0 Comments

Now this is beyond thrilling. Yesterday was chain saw day. And as a committed tree hugger, you would think this would be a cause for concern.

But trees die. And the two apple trees that were dead and right beside our road to the house were beyond menacing. So each morning when I plodded past them I would look carefully in case they were coming down. Because storms happen and trees of the dead variety can cause a mighty amount of mess.

Especially as they were leaning right next to our telephone wires.

But even more thrilling was saying farewell the huge apple tree in the barn garden. I could spend hours looking through my folder to find you the scary shot of the tree.

I might retro fit the picture when I’m waiting for some planes this weekend. I was positive I took a shot of the dying tree in all its gory glory a few months back. Planning for this very moment.

I am amazed how much work I do to crop the tree out of the photos I take from the barn garden looking towards the potager and the mountains behind.

It is beyond an eyesore. Dying for the past ten years, producing vile mealy apples each autumn. It was too difficult to try and prune being positioned on the steep slope and full of every grub and critter known to dying trees.

And this year it carked it.

So thank goodness our dear houseguest Fenning came ready to do the deed. Two chainsaws in the cellar were sharpened in readiness. It was definitely a two person job.

And I missed the magic moment when it came down – how did Fenning manage to drop it so it didn’t hit the two cypress trees in the steep lawn bank slope below the beast? Genius.

But here is the after shot. No more tree. Looking up you can now see the gorgeous huge walnut further up the mountain.

Suddenly I can see! And not have to crop things out. Or stand carefully under the canopy trying to photograph this angle and get a headful of spiderwebs. And other nasties.

Now there is just the small matter of chopping it up into teensy tiny bits. Every branch will be recycled for the potager permaculture beds this winter. Joy.

At least it won’t ruin the lawn where the branches are lying. Have you ever seen a more sorry-looking parched bit of grass?