Professional Pruning
I rarely resort to hiring help in the garden but I'm learning that sometimes it is wise to do so and worth every penny. Case in point - some hideous out-of-control trees that were beyond my ability to deal with. If I were smarter, I would have tackled these issues from the beginning but I didn't know better. The first is a pear tree that was planted along the back fence line. I've worked on this for the past several years, every year with the intent of reducing the height or possibly removing it altogether. As you can see in the photo, I had cut back everything but three limbs and finally realized that it would be dangerous for me to try and bring them down. The limbs grow straight up into the air and the remaining three are about 20 feet tall. After -- there is a hole in the sky view but the tree should fill in nicely for a good screen and I can keep it trimmed down from this point forward. Farther down along the fence line, and the view from the deck, are two massive pho
How wonderful to have a nearly blank slate.
ReplyDeleteIt is good that you don't have to remove everything and you still have pretty much a blank slate to work with. I am with you about the chain link fence. UGH... I know I know, I installed some here but it was only because I couldn't afford a wooden fence all around our garden. Had to keep the dog in... That apple tree might bloom nice in the spring. I don't know if that is enough to keep it but all sorts of wild animals, butterflies, bees etc don't mind rotten fruit.It is exciting to see the "before" pictures. I hope your belongings arrive soon. I would be worried too. It seems like they should have given you a date for arrival?? Good luck.
ReplyDeleteA lot of birds use the tree right now, just for sitting. The movers said Feb. 10 but said it could be up to 3 weeks. So I will give them a few more days.
DeleteWelcome to Washington, Phillip and Michael!
ReplyDeleteI read a couple of you previous post with the pictures of conifers; I adore dwarf confers and it looks like you are taken by them as well. I had seen the transformation of your previous garden, in Alabama, and I can't wait to see how you transform this garden. And by the way, Primroses are a welcome sight this time of year even if they never look as good outside (after the slugs dined on them) as they do in the nursery:-)
Maybe you can give me some advise when selecting some!
DeleteI enjoy all your posts and am looking forward to seeing your plans for your new garden space unfold!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have that much privacy!
ReplyDeleteI like my neighborhood and my property, but the only development is only around 10 yrs old and most people seem content to have expansive lawns, so there's not nearly enough privacy for my tastes.
I've been experimenting with adding screening shrubs, but I was overly optimistic when I began. I now realize that good screening takes time ... particularly if you're looking to create a mixed wildlife-friendly naturalistic hedge with an emphasis on native plants!
Phillip, I am so excited to see what you'll do with your blank slate. I know it will be stellar. As you said, you're so lucky to have such nice screening hedges. Do you know if that wisteria is one of the invasive varieties? Are the Asian ones even invasive up there? I hope not! I'm with you about chain link fences. :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is invasive. I am not sure yet about the invasive factor. If I replace that fence, I don't know how I will get the wisteria off of it!
DeleteLike everyone else, I'm excited to see what you do with your space over time. I'm happy that you're enjoying your new digs and hope you're not too homesick for the south.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll whip that garden into place in no time! I'm always bothered by trees with other trees sticking out of the sides of them like your cherry laurel/apple tree. I always think "why did you let that happen? you could see them growing together, be bold and cut one down!" I'm serious, I always notice it. Ha ha!
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