When we were house hunting ten years ago, the two huge trees in the backyard were what I liked best about this house. One a poplar and the other scaly-bark hickory, they have shaded our deck and provided a habitat for birds, squirrels, and lots of insects. I have no way of dating them, other than comparing them to similar trees in the area that are more than a century old.
Two years ago in July, during an insignificant thunderstorm, the poplar was struck by lightning, which burned a strip from the bottom to almost the top of the tree, in addition to scaring at least ten years off my life.
We removed the fried television sets and computers and repaired the rest. The tree looked fine.
Then, last year, I went out to the backyard to see this huge fungus growing about eye level. Fungi, of course, will not grow on living tissue, so my heart fell to my stomach and I feared for that tree.
Last year, a few limbs didn't get leaves in the spring. This year, there were a few more that remained bare. I am not ready to remove the whole tree yet, so Saturday, we had a tree service team remove the dead branches before they fell on something important, like me or my dog.
When he was finished, the tree trimmer said that the tree was basically healthy and might last fifty more years. If it does, someone else will have to deal with it; pretty sure I won't last that long.
Two years ago in July, during an insignificant thunderstorm, the poplar was struck by lightning, which burned a strip from the bottom to almost the top of the tree, in addition to scaring at least ten years off my life.
We removed the fried television sets and computers and repaired the rest. The tree looked fine.
Then, last year, I went out to the backyard to see this huge fungus growing about eye level. Fungi, of course, will not grow on living tissue, so my heart fell to my stomach and I feared for that tree.
Last year, a few limbs didn't get leaves in the spring. This year, there were a few more that remained bare. I am not ready to remove the whole tree yet, so Saturday, we had a tree service team remove the dead branches before they fell on something important, like me or my dog.
When he was finished, the tree trimmer said that the tree was basically healthy and might last fifty more years. If it does, someone else will have to deal with it; pretty sure I won't last that long.
I love my trees too
ReplyDeleteI have been called a tree hugger more than once! :)
DeleteI felt so heart shook when I scrolled down to see the fungi growing out of the base of your lovely tree. That would've had me shaking in my boots, knowing it was one of the shadiest trees on my property. They look like they did a pretty good job chopping it up, and its awesome they said that it'll be around longer and still healthy!
ReplyDeleteGod bless, and happy gardening
-Oscar Valencia
Tree Service Bronx
Thank you!
DeleteThat tree standing so tall must be a hundred years older or more. It’s ideal to trim some of the unwanted branches that may damage your properties. However, it’s a good thing that you have a formidable tree in your own backyard. That will allow you to inhale clean and fresh air. It will also save your house from being swamped by floods. I actually find your area so appealing with greens teeming everywhere! =)
ReplyDeleteKeira Dartez