Dan, you should see the big holes in my arborvitae. All of them. The boys set the Hardie board panels up against them, and broke down some branches. I'm just sick about it, they are ten year old trees, and a good barrier between us and the ugly fence next door!
Oh, Ribbit...that would be a sight to see! Actually, I am going to take the chain saw and try to give the poor thing some shape. If I can't, it will just have to come all the way out. The worst that could happen is that I'd have another spot to garden!
Aww, KitsapFG, that bush softened that corner and hid the compost bin! I admit, I did want it cut back a bit to allow the garden cart to be rolled to the back, but not chopped in half!
I have trouble just composting surplus seedlings, so treeicide is well ... oh all right then, sometimes necessary. It does look as though it has a lot of dry underbush, would a good cut promote some lower greening? I read this on the BBC website: "The challenge of pruning evergreens can be a bit daunting. In general, they tend to have forms which amplify mistakes and take forever to grow over, chastising you for years with silent reminders of your pruning ineptitude. Many evergreens are reluctant to produce new basal growth, which means you will have to live with any serious maiming you cause.
Pruning spreading junipers can be unnerving, because a bad decision can result in a gaping hole, revealing all sorts of dead twigs and ugliness. With a little practise, however, junipers can be handled with confidence. And a well-pruned juniper is something to feel proud of. The secret is to take the time to understand the relationship of each branch to the rest of the shrub, to know which bit covers what. Then slide your secateurs or loppers in horizontally, and make angled cuts, so that the the wound is hidden by the overhanging branches left behind. If you're careful, you can control the shape of your junipers, without leaving any visible wounds. The test of your skill should be how little evidence there is to be seen. "
Heskie, I planted that juniper nearly 20 years ago...a pair of them, to "soften" the corner and hide the working area of the yard. The building of a larger shed meant one of them had to be removed completely, and the other cut back by about 6" to allow passage of the wheel barrow. I think Mr. H doesn't know how to measure!
Sue, I'm on my way!
Jen, Mr. H tends to get carried away. Men like him should not own chain saws, and I shouldn't have left him alone that day :-(
Stefaneener, I'll either have to try to correct the slaughter, or figure out how to remove it, humongous roots and all, before I can replace it with anything. Maybe I could just cut it to the ground and start a pot garden where the stump is. Not THAT kind of "pot". I'm thinking pots of flowers and herbs!
Granny is wringing her hands. What to do, what to do?
Hmmm.... is it a sunny spot?
ReplyDeleteAny ideas?
Your tipsy pots are looking good as they fill out with flowers!
"Any ideas?"
ReplyDeleteYes, but I think it's against the law to go after one's husband with a chainsaw.
Sure they jury would understand.
ReplyDeleteIf the jury consisted of women gardeners, they would.
ReplyDeleteLOL!!!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Mr.H is of any relation to me? When I have pruners in my hands I'm dangerous. You should see the big hole I put in the hedge.
ReplyDeleteDan, you should see the big holes in my arborvitae. All of them. The boys set the Hardie board panels up against them, and broke down some branches. I'm just sick about it, they are ten year old trees, and a good barrier between us and the ugly fence next door!
ReplyDeleteDoes he still have the clippings?
ReplyDeleteHand him the clippings and a hot glue gun and walk away. He'll get the hint.
Oh, Ribbit...that would be a sight to see! Actually, I am going to take the chain saw and try to give the poor thing some shape. If I can't, it will just have to come all the way out. The worst that could happen is that I'd have another spot to garden!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of juniper bushes - so I probably would have been out there helping Mr. H to ensure it really got a good haircut - as in gone!
ReplyDeleteAww, KitsapFG, that bush softened that corner and hid the compost bin! I admit, I did want it cut back a bit to allow the garden cart to be rolled to the back, but not chopped in half!
ReplyDeleteI have trouble just composting surplus seedlings, so treeicide is well ... oh all right then, sometimes necessary. It does look as though it has a lot of dry underbush, would a good cut promote some lower greening?
ReplyDeleteI read this on the BBC website:
"The challenge of pruning evergreens can be a bit daunting. In general, they tend to have forms which amplify mistakes and take forever to grow over, chastising you for years with silent reminders of your pruning ineptitude. Many evergreens are reluctant to produce new basal growth, which means you will have to live with any serious maiming you cause.
Pruning spreading junipers can be unnerving, because a bad decision can result in a gaping hole, revealing all sorts of dead twigs and ugliness. With a little practise, however, junipers can be handled with confidence. And a well-pruned juniper is something to feel proud of. The secret is to take the time to understand the relationship of each branch to the rest of the shrub, to know which bit covers what. Then slide your secateurs or loppers in horizontally, and make angled cuts, so that the the wound is hidden by the overhanging branches left behind. If you're careful, you can control the shape of your junipers, without leaving any visible wounds. The test of your skill should be how little evidence there is to be seen. "
Granny,
ReplyDeletePlease stop by my blog-I have an award for you.
And wow, I think I would go after them with the chainsaw. Men and power tools-there ought to be a law!
That is hilarious. At least with my husband I can "undo" most of the things he does to help out. LOL!
ReplyDeleteHeskie, I planted that juniper nearly 20 years ago...a pair of them, to "soften" the corner and hide the working area of the yard. The building of a larger shed meant one of them had to be removed completely, and the other cut back by about 6" to allow passage of the wheel barrow. I think Mr. H doesn't know how to measure!
ReplyDeleteSue, I'm on my way!
Jen, Mr. H tends to get carried away. Men like him should not own chain saws, and I shouldn't have left him alone that day :-(
Awww, sorry.
ReplyDeleteMaybe thinking of a different bush that you'd enjoy there will take your mind off of the carnage?
Stefaneener, I'll either have to try to correct the slaughter, or figure out how to remove it, humongous roots and all, before I can replace it with anything. Maybe I could just cut it to the ground and start a pot garden where the stump is. Not THAT kind of "pot". I'm thinking pots of flowers and herbs!
ReplyDeleteOkay. You don't drink, but does Mr. H? (Don't tell him I said that. I don't want him coming after me with that chainsaw).
ReplyDeleteCheryl, Mr. H has been known to have a drink or two on occasion. But for Mr. H, every day is an occasion!
ReplyDeleteJust kidding. He has no excuse for the massacre, he was stone cold sober.