Earlier I'd been playing around with a large "dish" in this part of the garden, but when it came time to plant I decided against it. I wanted the space for plants not a planter.
This section of branch fell before either one of us were ready for it to, a good 4" sunk into the lawn. That was terrifying.
Then this section decided to rest on the roof, and the Hibiscus syriacus. It was so heavy Andrew was going to climb up on the roof to push it off, but he finally agreed that damaging the roof was preferable to damaging him. In the end the hibiscus took most of the weight with minimal damage and the roof (and the husband) was spared.
Here's what the tree looked like last week. Lots of healthy new growth.
If the foliage stays clean (no Albizia psyllid infestation, the reason for this drastic cut back—or at least 80% of the reason) then I think we may start to cut this one back every couple of years, before it gets as big as it was. The canopy was reaching from one side of the property to the other and taller than the house (perhaps a little too much of a good thing).
One more, I wanted to share the new growth on the Pseudopanax ferox, odd plant that it is.
After last winter's destruction I cut the rotting trunk back to the point where it felt solid, and waited to see if anything would happen. I am thrilled that it's started two new growing points. Once things really take off I'll probably remove any remaining "leaves" along the main trunk (see above), because they just look silly with so few of them and that big gap before this new growth starts. That's a wrap on this update!
After last winter's destruction I cut the rotting trunk back to the point where it felt solid, and waited to see if anything would happen. I am thrilled that it's started two new growing points. Once things really take off I'll probably remove any remaining "leaves" along the main trunk (see above), because they just look silly with so few of them and that big gap before this new growth starts. That's a wrap on this update!
To receive alerts of new danger garden posts by email, subscribe here. Please note; these are sent from a third party, you’ll want to click thru to read the post here on the blog to avoid their annoying ads.
All material © 2009-2024 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I think the new dish looks perfect there, so creative! Dang, that tree branch stuck in the ground - it looks deliberate. Like you were trying to build a shelter in the middle of your back garden.
ReplyDeleteWhen that branch fell and dug itself into the earth my first response was to laugh, then the terror of what could have happened hit me. I pictured a vampire... struck through the heart.
DeleteThe bromeliad bowl is a perfect addition. I appreciated that its stand mirrored the structure of your palms. As to the Albizia, I've committed my own crimes against a relative of that tree in an ultimately vain attempt to save it so I can appreciate your approach -and I'm glad Andrew, you, and the house weren't hurt in the process!
ReplyDeleteI was a little fearful this treatment might spur sprouts to pop up at ground level but so far no. It is producing the best clouds of that small dark foliage though, even better now just a week after those photos were taken.
DeleteAnother fabulous dish creation... I had to go back to your very last "8-month view" for a better sense of which bed I was looking at (I think I'd be doing it often). With massive growth spurs and lots of new plants in the ground, most signs of January's devastation are disappearing quickly. The view in the first photo is amazing: I bet that off-white wicker chair serves you nicely and often this time of year.
ReplyDeleteChavli
Oh if you were here I could certainly take you on a tour of January's devastation! Funny the chair appears off-white and wicker, it's actually a brown/taupe and woven strips of some composite material. It's perfect for leaving out in the weather (the pair shows up frequently on the patio over the winter months), and it does get frequent use, it's very comfortable! Your mentioning it is the first time I've realized I have three distinct seating areas in the small back garden...
DeleteYour bromeliad dish looks fabulous! How often do you have to water it?
ReplyDeleteThat is an impossible question to answer. It depends on the weather, like our current stretch of 90 degree days vs next weeks predicted low 70s and possible drizzle. If it's hot then it probably gets a shower from the hose daily, it's not then it would go several days without water.
DeleteSimilar reasons for why I am never allowed to cut down certain sized trees ever again, especially on a sweltering holiday weekend, when none of the professionals are around to re-attach the electric meter to the side of the house. Those branches are deceptively heavy and dangerous after plummeting from the sky.
ReplyDeleteYikes. You paint a tragic picture.
Delete