Trees and Limbs Fall

Category: Starting and Maintaining the Garden | Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:05 pm

The filbert trees were planted the first year we moved in 30 years ago. A reminder of my childhood home and the filbert trees there. The trees became a major food source for birds and squirrels in the neighborhood. One year I counted three squirrel nests in them and another four in the surrounding trees.

I had noticed one of the numerous trees planted by the squirrels in a neighboring yard was dying. The following year only bare branches were left. The same thing appeared to be happening on one side of our three tree clump. We removed the dead wood and used the branches to line the paths and garden beds. I didn't think too much about it since the trees were older and we used to keep them pruned up pretty small in the past.

Filberts as they once were...a quiet shady area with ferns and woodland plants ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

Then as I was browsing the gardening forums one day I noticed the mention of the Eastern Filbert Blight. Uuggh....more reading. Guess this fungal disease is destroying commercial filbert orchards in Oregon. I went out and looked at the branches that we were using to line the paths. Darn they had the same tell tale rows of holes that marked this fungus. It was from these holes that the spores are released. And I had thought they were holes from birds. Double darn. As a home gardener I could see it was having a similar affect on my trees. We had already removed several large branches that had become a danger. Now I knew it was not just age. It was time to take on the bigger project.

Because the trees were so big and we had already had the joy of cutting several large branches we had decided to have someone come in and take them down for us. It is not an easy task hauling all the branches and limbs out of the yard, not to mention cutting the wood into usable pieces. It was nice having someone else do the majority of the work.

Filbert pile and open space now...now the squirrels won't tease Ciara ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

We asked that the larger branches be cut to fit our wood stove. It will be used for firewood after it drys and is seasoned. There are still the stumps that will need to be ground out. We will have to rent the stump grinder...always another step. One step, two steps, on and on.

Stumps to grind ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

This corner of the yard is suddenly exposed to the sun so many of the plants that weren't crushed sunburned. It looks like a little mini clear cut. I can now see many of the off spring that the squirrels have planted over the years in neighboring yards. Some are pretty good sized trees. At least I won't have to worry about a total loss of nuts for the squirrels and jays. I also won't have to worry about falling branches.

Mini clear cut to contemplate...what's next? ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

Best of all...this is the sunniest part of the yard now. I will have to start thinking about how I want these new garden beds to be placed...and what can I plant in them? New things to try or what to move?

Oh yeh, since the tree trimmers had a boom we also got the fir trees on the south side of the property line trimmed up. These trees were none existent when we bought the property. They were planted by the second tenants to the house since we have lived here. Unfortunately the trees were planted right on the fence line on the neighbors side. The needles have become a constant problem in the gutters and tracking into the house. Every time the wind blows the needles carpet the drive way and roof. Hopefully the trim job will help some. It was wonderful to see the additional light coming into the yard also.

Fir trees limbed up on our side of the property line ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

Sometimes I think that it is too bad there isn't a law here about restricting a neighbors sunlight. This is a rainy dark cloudy climate in the winter where every bit of light is so appreciated, especially in the winter. It is nice to have recaptured some sunny places in our yard. :-D

Last edited: Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:59 pm

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Kay wrote on Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:55 pm:

Having your beloved tree removed was probably hard; but like you said, it opens up a world of possibilities. Your garden will take on a new look there. Smart move having a pro do the tree work.