Disappearing Trees – now you see them …. now you don’t!

When we bought our home 12 years ago, there was a boring square of grass, without no other signs of life, despite the previous owners having lived there for 4 years.

This was is waaaaay back then (1998)

And 2 years on in 2000 it looked like this:

Thanks to my parents green fingers and hard work, we have a lovely garden, with lots of trees and plants which are remarkably similar to the ones that grew in our garden when I was younger.

When our garden looks lovely, we can take no credit, as my parents swoop in, rescusing, weeding, cutting back and delivering new plants at least twice a year.  Many of our friends suggest we should send my Mum and Dad along to work in their garden too!

This year, however, after a severe prolonged snowy period, several trees and bushes have lost the will to live, and drastic action was called for.

My Dad and a friend came prepared with saws, trailer and enthusiasm to remove the offending growth (or lack of growth!).

I wasn’t here to witness the “execution” which proved to be challenging, but here are some before and after photos.

Now you see it…..

now you don’t!

And here’s the leftovers – looking forward to burning them in our open fireplace at the cottage.

Our middle daughter was particularily attached to the tree as it has been growing beautifully outside her bedroom window all of her life. I had visions of her attaching herself to the tree, refusing to allow it to go…..but there was no such drama. Just some stoical resignation to the inevitable.

At the front of the house, this ceanothus was in danger of taking over entirely, so it too received was removed.

And after ….

It is amazing the amount of space it has left, however, in no time at all I know a new plant will appar in it’s place (thanks Dad), which will have been carefully selected for the location, soil type, foliage etc.

I have yet to inherit my parents passion for gardening, maybe it will skip a generation. I do enjoy a beautiful garden but usually find some excuse very good reason why I should be doing something else instead – like photographing it, or reading in it, or even blogging about it!

If fact – this is more my sort of tree!

Are you a gardener? Who has green fingers in your family?

Or maybe you are more my type of gardener – who appreciates the efforts of others!