The tree is going

[Daisy]

We've got a very large conifer tree in our front garden which has got too big and is growing out over the pavement. We had it loped a while back, but the lower branches are still a problem, so we've decided to take it out. OH spoke to the tree surgeon last week, and he's just phoned to say he can do it today! They'll take the tree down and then will come back in a few days and grind the stump out. So, gardening plans for today abandoned, it's all hands to the front garden to clear pots etc out of the way of the workmen.

[Plantaholic]

They do become a nuisance Daisy, we inherited 6 fir trees, 3 either side of the entrance gates when we moved in. We removed 3 some years ago on one side and the last three came out early this year as they were lifting the drive. I thought Sil had the stumps ground out but when I came to make a bed of the patch left I had to plant around the stumps. It is looking quite good atm but I wonder if they will survive, fingers crossed.

[Oma]

My DD has one as tall as the house at the top of the drive , SIL loves it and wont have it taken out ,
DD hates it but does hang lights on it at Christmas .

Your lucky the tree surgeon could do it so quickly ,
My sister had two large one's taken out each side of the gate last year but had to wait about 5 month before they could fit her in .

[Gemini]

Has it gone Daisy?!

[Nanto2girls]

We had a weeping willow in our front garden.
Hubby cut it down a few years ago. I liked it until got too big.
When hubby was cutting it down,all the surrounding neighbours came out to watch.
Many of the neighbours said they used it as a landmark.
I have to honest though and say i'm not a tree lover.
We have a silver birch in the side garden. I would like it gone,but hubby says no.
I once read that the lifespan for a silver birch was 50 years.
Well we have lived here just shy of 53 years,and the tree was here when we came.

[Daisy]

Has it gone Daisy?!

Err.... no! They didn't make it this afternoon, but hopefully they will come tomorrow. But we did get most of the tender plants wrapped up for the winter - just one large banana plant to do!

I do love trees. As a child I always longed to have a tree in our very boring garden! One house OH and I lived in had a mature weeping ash tree in the garden - I absolutely loved that tree, and its branches weeping right down to the ground made a great den for the children.

I'm now trying to decide what to replace the old conifer with any suggestions would be welcome.

[Daisy]

Well, the timing for the tree surgeons was a bit vague - we were ok with that. They've done work for us before and are very good.

So this week OH was staying up at DS1's on Monday and Tuesday. Monday the Patio Man was here for the day. Then on Tuesday, I got back from taking Eva out to find the tree men just starting on the conifer! They've cut it down to a stump which will now need grinding out. We've said they can do that anytime they're in the area - there's no particular rush. I kept them supplied with tea and homemade flapjacks, which they seemed to love.

The living room is a lot lighter with that dark green tree gone, and I'm trying to decide what to replace it with. I think we'll have to dig out years of rotted pine needles and put fresh soil and compost in, but it gives me time to choose the replacement. There's a much bigger gap in the border than I'd expected.

[Gemini]

That's a good job done then Daisy!
It's surprising how much space the trunks take isn't it?

[Plantaholic]

That will be fun Daisy, creating a new border.

[Oma]

Oh I so wish someone would come cut the tree behind my fence down ,
Well all six of them , they are huge and far too near the fence .

We have thousands in the mini forest across the road so don't need them so close

[Daisy]

Oma - I think most people (including public authorities who should know better) don't allow enough room for the trees they plant. But I was looking at other people's gardens when I was out with Eva today and there's one house which has just replanted their front border. Very sensibly they have left plenty of space between the trees, which are all suitable for small gardens, and they have left space for them to grow, but it all looks very sparse at the moment! You can't win, can you!

[Daisy]

An update on our tree saga!

After a lot of hard work digging out bits of tree root, lumps of solid clay and builder's rubble, we finally got loads of compost, soil improver and other 'good stuff'. Last week we did more clearing out of the area where the tree was, and on Wednesday planted a crab apple tree in its place. Planting it was hard work - we had to dig a huge hole of take all the roots, and had a couple of goes at getting the depth right! We (I mean OH, here!) had to use a lump hammer to get the stake in the ground.

Today the sun was shining, despite it being freezing cold, but I braved the weather and planted some snowdrops. I'd got two pots of daffs which I don't think will flower, but I've planted those under the tree as well and some primula and old-fashioned primroses which I hope will survive. So we've now got a little spring garden by the tree.

Tree bulbs etc Feb22IMG_7054.jpg

Tree IMG_7041.jpg

There's quite a large space to the right of the spring bulbs etc, so I'll have to think about what to plant there now. That's the fun bit!

[Gemini]

Spring garden, lovely
Well done Daisy, getting out there and creative despite the cold.

[Daisy]

Gem, it was quite satisfying, but it looks sparse at the moment. I hope the various plants fill out a bit.

[Gemini]

They will