In the apartment complex where I live, some huge pine trees on the south end of the property were trimmed this past week. Our place (upstairs on the end) is shaded by these trees from the direct sunlight as it moves overhead from east to west. My birdies have been hanging out in the tree closest to us and speckling the walk to the downstairs apartment with, um, bird poop. Not to mention the amazing acrobatics the squirrels perform when jumping from our railing to the tree. It has all come to an end, with the tree now looking like this:
Not knowing what the tree trimmers would do, I was prepared for any eventuality from this sort of result to seeing the tree chopped completely down. I was actually quite pleased as I saw that these guys, who do it for a living, managed to keep the integrity of the tree while doing what was necessary. As they worked, I got on my new iPad2 and used Facetime to show my sister in Florida the operation while it was in progress. (Have I mentioned I LOVE my new toy?) The only really hard part was seeing the big branches weeping as if they had lost a limb. Oh, wait, they had; more than one, even!
The sap coming out of the poor chopped-off limbs looks a little like blood, doesn't it? The birds still come to my feeders in large numbers, so it hasn't stopped them. I do wonder if the tree feels it. When I woke this morning to the loud thud of a bigger-than-bird-sized creature on the porch, I saw a squirrel checking out the dropped feed for morsels. I peeked out the window to watch him. He had gained access to the porch by climbing up the side of the building, and I watched in amazement as he launched himself off to the branches... which weren't there! He landed with a loud whump on the stairs below and scampered up the tree in consternation. I don't think he'll try that again.
Since it's Saturday, I wandered off to the Farmers' Market after a walk in the light rain. A woman who comes to the market every Saturday was filling her basket with the latest fresh veggies from
Rabbit Fields Farm, my favorite place to get some fresh produce myself. They always have people lined up waiting for the bell to ring so they can stock up for the week. The rain had stopped and the sun was breaking through the clouds as I was leaving. One vendor's treats made me realize it was getting close to noon. Instead of actually buying any of these, I took a picture of her mouth-watering treats and hung onto my money.
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| Do not enlarge if you are dieting |
It was those lemon tarts that caught my eye and made me wrestle with myself before heading home to eat some nutritious and much less fattening food.
:-)
So pleased to hear/see that the integrity of the trees was saved. Sympathetic too about the bird poop. I swear ours eat concrete somewhere - getting it off the veranda from under the feeder is hard work.
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to say for a while how much I love your tulips on your banner. Thanks.
Not bad, I was expecting to scroll down and see most of the tree gone. They did a pretty good job. That's funny about the squirrel, I guess they rely more on memory than actually sight.
ReplyDeleteOur farmers' market just started here this month but the produce is still pretty low.
nice. we love the farmers market...got some fresh veggies today at the flea market...not a bad day either, made $80 selling our old treasures (junk...ha)
ReplyDeleteI have often wondered myself if trees feel when branches are cut. Have you ever hugged a tree? Try it some time...they hug you back...you can feel the energy...
ReplyDeleteSo sad for the trapezing squirrel! Glad he was not hurt.
Good thing I was not there with you...we would have a couple of those treats and searching for some coffee and a place to sit and enjoy!
I admire your willpower, taking a picture of the treats instead of indulging!
ReplyDeleteYup. I enlarged those tarts and tried the lemon ones. They were really really good.....
ReplyDeleteSad when trees have to have a major trim. Good that these people did a good job. I also have my squirrel story of a miss. The squirrel attempted to jump across a gap and missed falling in a big snow bank!
ReplyDeleteNicely done on the tree. A new iPad 2? Exciting! I love new gadgets. I think the trees can feel it. I always apologize to my trees when it's time for a trim. Maybe I'm wrong and it's more like getting a haircut or trimming one's nails...
ReplyDeleteI am happy to say that my bird feeder is far enough into the yard that I don't have to worry about cleaning up bird poop. Lord knows I have enough poop to clean just dealing with the kids. I did notice a squirrel hanging out below the feeder the other day. I'm hoping he'll keep to himself but doubt it'll be that easy.
They did a great job on the tree, much to the squirrel's consternation, but it does look like it is weeping. Better to lose a limb or two than be chopped down, though.
ReplyDeleteWonderful farmer's market! Sadly, I'd be eating a treat, too. You have more willpower than I do--hehe! ;)
I can resist anything but temptation, so I had to enlarge the picture. Oh Lord. Lemon, anything lemon. The rest would be appetizers for the lemon tart. I have to do more vicarious eating, so thank you for the perfect opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI Love farmer's markets. Ours just started, but with slim pickens.
I would have to get a lemon tart. I have little willpower.
ReplyDeleteI would like to think of the trees getting a haircut instead of limbs bleeding.
Hope you are having a nice weekend.
Squirrels will find a way! Good job on the tree trmming.
ReplyDeleteYou've reminded me of farmers markets. It is time to start seeking them out. I wish I had a good one nearby.
Funny squirrel! It sounds like you got the best possible outcome with the tree trimming. I think trees do feel, and always have a hard time trimming ours.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of the market basket. We're not seeing that lovely fresh produce here just yet - just incredible flowers.
So glad you love your iPad2. I know you like your iPod as well, but the size of the iPad is just wonderful. And you have cameras in yours, which didn't come in the original. And yeah, I'd be eating the lemon tart, maybe with some veggies on the side. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteFrom the looks of that pruning job I wonder if they people doing the work were professionals. You are supposed to prune trees at the juncture of the branching (Crotch, is the technical term), not in the middle of a branch leaving an ugly stub sticking out.
ReplyDeletenice pics, DJan!
ReplyDeleteI could never use a virtual keyboard, as I type with just 1 finger on my right hand and 4 on my left. Writer's Cramp! Give you credit, though.
When are you going off diet? Are you trying to lose more weight? 12 lbs is already a lot, considering your height. You should've enjoyed at least ONE lemon tart. I know I would have. lol.
Look at those lemon tarts..I would have been tempted too! Your tree looks pretty good after the trim..and as for the squirrel, I think they are creatures of habit! :)
ReplyDeleteWhew. The tree is still there!
ReplyDeleteYour trees were trimmed much better thatn mine!!
ReplyDeleteThe food looks so yummy!!
I have read all the updates to your blog since I went on my trip. I like the picture on your 5 May post Olsen Creek 2011 of the Trailblazers walking on the path in the fog – I think it’s an exceptional picture – it really gives the atmosphere of the area. You certainly had a lot of rain. While in France we never had a drop of rain and it rained just 20 minutes in Vienna – we liked it but the farmers are upset. It is strange to think that at the same time I was walking the dry streets of Paris with a multitude around us you were trekking the lonely and wet paths of Washington state. Sometimes when I get stressed I like to stop and think of what the rest of the world is doing at the same instant. I know you love your area even with the rain. Here we do not have much rain but when it comes in summer it often turns into tornadoes – then it is also very warm – up to 93 today.
ReplyDeleteTree trimming is important. We have many trees in the backyard that have grown so much that we hardly have any sun for the flower planters – but my husband refuses to trim the tree – it’s going to be a battle but the flowers have to get some sun too. I enjoyed all your posts and your beautiful photos – the rhododendrons were very colorful.
It looks like those tree trimmers knew what they are doing. It is rare to find tree trimmers who are this competent.
ReplyDeleteOur farmers' market doesn't start until July. The basket full of veggies looked wonderful.
Nice post. I enjoy my trees and planted them myself a long time ago. It is sad to have to remove them or to trim them but sometimes that is what has to be done. I am sure there is some feeling there.
ReplyDeleteIn fact I watched an experiment on this very topic once.Two flowers, identical, in pots, were placed in a room. One had several leaf attachments that went to a lie detector machine. It was turned on and then a man came in the room and ripped the other plant out of the pot and threw it on the floor.
There was a small reaction on the lie detector.
Then the man left and about ten minutes later came back in the room and headed towards the remaining flower hooked up to the lie detector and the machine went crazy. It measured some reaction that nobody had known about.
This was first done in Russia then known as the Soviet Union.
they did a much better job than many do, especially around here
ReplyDeleteI have been battling with the town council about the lack of care and respect for the trees
I love your caption about don't enlarge if dieting :)
Poor Squirrels! Ha! Do not enlarge if you are dieting. You're on fire today!
ReplyDeleteOh sure.. end with that image and make me DROOL! ;)
ReplyDeleteI would not have been able to pass up those lemon tarts. Something about the swirls on top really catch your eye.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your tree trimmers did a good, careful job. I've seen some real butchering done over here.