On the other hand, any fool can cut down a tree. Which is what's happening at the site of a perfectly good house that's being torn down (and about which I blogged previously).
This one was perfectly healthy, as far as I could tell.
Sadly, the world's inventory of trees is declining with rapid deforestation in many areas, in North American and South America, as well as Asia and Africa. So every good tree is worth keeping. That's especially true in the urban forest, where trees help to cool the city, and its homes, through their shading.
To make up for the loss of trees elsewhere, we've been doing our bit by growing trees on our micro-holding.
We have a big pine in the front. We have transplanted it from several homes to others, but now it's reached the size that a we won't be transplanting it again.
We've got several spruces at the front as well. Along the side, two more spruces. At the back of the house two more. Scattered through the yard another eight spruces. Four of them surround the Celtic meditative garden I've been trying to build.
Plus this mountain ash (in front of which you can see one of our back yard spruces).
Hiding behind the mountain ash, an apple tree. The apples are not particularly good for eating (by our tastes), but they're great for baking.
At the other corner of the house, a big maple
Plus two Manchurian Elms — which are really "weed trees." They grow all over, spread thousands of seeds (which invariable seem to grow wherever they land), and you can't trim them from April through September, for fear of spreading "Dutch Elm Disease." I would really like to take those two out, but not until good "replacements" have grown to sufficient height.
You can see the little spruce in front of the larger elm.
I just wish we had more trees.
P.S.: No report on our trees would be complete without a mention of "The Mistress of the Trees."
Joyce Kilmer was a he. The rest is right on, though as a prairie boy too many trees block the view
ReplyDeleteThe idiots next to me cut down every single tree for no reason. Why live in reserve area if you hate trees????? We too have planted many Australian natives over the years, but as soon as we sell the house, the new people pull them all out.
ReplyDeleteI would dispute the God-tree connection but it is far too easy for an idiot to chop one down.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago I heard that poem sung by, I believe, Jan Peerce. It was almost a mystical experience.
ReplyDeleteI'm a tree hugger, but my house is surrounded by dead, hollow, 100 year old trees. NOTHING can survive next to a power plant. AND, one more thing that really hurts me is Christmas time when ALL parking lots start filling up with trees too soon to be bought, and then just shred into sawdust. They'd look much better in land than a bucket in the living room.
ReplyDeletep.s. Joyce was a man.
® BF: What? You don't like trees? Having grown up in Ontario, I can hardly live without them. Even Caragana will do, in a pinch.
ReplyDelete® Natalie: That is just so sad!
® Lee: Think "poetic licence."
® Paul: That would have been wonderful!
® Dana: Isn't it fascinating how industry can destroy the environment. How awful!
Btw: Kilmer was a sergeant in the 165th U.S. Infantry Regiment during WW1. He died at the Second Battle of the Marne, on July 30, 1918, at the age of 31.
Thank you for visiting my blog so that I could find yours. I loved this post so much. I think it is marvelous that you actually transplanted that precious tree in several places.
ReplyDeleteTrees are great loves of mine. My husband and I planted a tiny Blue Spruce in front when we bought the house 11 years ago. Pretty big tree now! We also planted an Aspen and two Birch, a Weeping Willow, and a row of 15 Arborvitae.
Already on the property were a beautiful Mountain Ash, a Silk Tree, a Canadian Maple...and in the back three Giant Sequoias that are 85 years old and HUGE. We have less than an acre, so you can see why our neighbors say our yard is like a park. Sadly, on our block many trees have been cut in the last years. Squirrels who lost their Oak homes have reestablished themselves best they can in our Mountain Ash and Sequoias.
Finally, is your dog a Chocolate Standard Poodle? We have one! Named Bonbon. We got her from a breeder in Canada nine years ago that at that time was named K-Lar Kennels. I recently found that they changed their name to Bijou Standard Poodles. It would be amazing if your dog came from there too. :)
® Lynda: Thanks so much for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteI love to have trees around. Reminds me of where I grew up, in eastern Canada.
Sadie is black. We got her from someone who was having only one litter of pups. She is healthy and enthusiastic. (Sadie is our third Standard Poodle; all three have been female, and black.)
Hope to see you again!
® Lydia: So sorry for having called you Lynda.
ReplyDeleteThis is why Bear should never sit down at computer before finishing breakfast. Sigh!
Trees are good! And your dog is adorable, too!
ReplyDelete® Bettyl: Sorry I didn't notice you had snuck your comment in. Thanks for coming to visit. I'll drop over to your place.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I'm changing my blogs around, and this spot is about to become more active.
Thanks again.