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[dwgm]

The neighbors "suggested" in a note that we might want to address the issue of the tree that was up against the wall (OUR wall) as said wall was being compromised. Well, it was, but the tree in question is a beautiful one. However, it is messy, and the prospect of an expensive repair to the wall was not a pleasant one. Accordingly, we had a tree service we've used in the past come out to give an estimate on trimming or removal. We elected to go with removal, and decided also to have the apple tree trimmed. A contract was signed. They showed up at 6:45, wood chipper in tow.

Having the apple tree trimmed was bad enough (it was covered with beautiful apples this year, and trimming it would deprive us of many if not most of them, although I picked several bags last night so don't worry: there will be pie), but having a tree cut down is always upsetting. I was throwing on some clothes and preparing to zoom off to work when weemonkey6 says: "Why'd they cut down the apple tree?"

I looked out, and sure enough.

Comments

[avingail.livejournal.com]

Oh no! That's horrible! I'm so sorry.

My Dad is likewise cutting down the huge and beautiful tree in our front yard tomorrow. I have played in this tree for most of my life and it was the best thing I liked about this house. I've cried each time I think about the tree being gone. I won't be able to watch tomorrow.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I won't be able to watch...

No. Trees are different from other plants, like pets in a way. When we had the trees taken out of our back yard at the other house I took the kids away for the day.

Thanks for the kind words.

[fnordelissa.livejournal.com]

that's horrible!

*hugs*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Hugs help. ladymora phoned hers in a few minutes ago, skating to school.

[dr-mrow.livejournal.com]

Is it possible to save parts of it by grafting onto a new tree? Given that you have a written contract, I imagine you can persuade them to pay for any number of things. Or insist that they bring in the largest new apple tree their money can buy?

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

It's all ground up and hauled away now, so it's too late for that. My Mom decided, since they are going to replace the tree, that she'd rather have a new peach tree. We are going to ask them to plant a 'Mid Pride" Peach, the biggest they can find. That's a good cultivar for our area--only 150 hours of chill required, and really beautiful double blooms. Also, they are taking down the trellis, which, now that the apple tree is not there to partially screen it, looks terrible. The trellis my Dad designed and built himself, with a swing for his granddaughters.

(See icon, again.)

Oh, no!

[celandineb.livejournal.com]

That's absolutely horrible. I hope that at least the service will not charge you for that - since they removed the wrong stinking tree! (Not that that helps at all, but having to pay for such a terrible mistake would add insult to injury.)

If you ever do read LotR (which I gather you have not) - Tolkien was in some ways an environmentalist, and trees play quite a large role in his Middle-earth, one way and another. Cutting down trees needlessly is one of the signals of bad character.

{{hugs}}

Re: Oh, no!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

We haven't paid them a cent, so far, for any of their work, and if they don't make it right (as delineated in my response to my son-in-law, dr_mrow, they won't SEE a cent.

Re: LotR - you misunderstand. I meant LotR fanfiction. I have read the book so many times (and listened to it--I have it unabridged on tape for the car) and know it so intimately it's like messing with the Bible as far as I'm concerned. I've seen the movies (because my kids were so enthused), but it was excruciating. They did OK with Gollum, but as for the rest? Forget it.

[celandineb.livejournal.com]

Ah, gotcha. I wanted to share the bit from "The Scouring of the Shire" where Sam says, "They've cut down the Party Tree!" but was hesitant to do so lest it be a spoiler. But that was the first thing I thought of when I saw your post!

I quite like the films myself... but I think of them as an AU fanfic. ;-) Or like Shakespeare telling the story of Macbeth - the names are the same, but not much else. As films, on their own terms they're good, but it's not the same story that Tolkien told.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

As films, on their own terms they're good, but it's not the same story that Tolkien told.

I know they are good films, but all I do when I watch them is cringe and pick them apart. I get quite irate about it sometimes, as my children and their friends know. Sad but true. It's just me.

Re: Oh, no!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

And thanks for the hugs. It helps to know others feel as I do. (I am now at work, and my co-workers are appalled, too.)

Re: Oh, no!

[celandineb.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. And trees are so irreplaceable - they take years and years to reach their primetime. It's not like they accidentally demolished a petunia bed or something. To make that kind of major mistake is really hard to forgive.

Gosh, I suppose that's a plus for being stuck in rentals for so many years. Can't lose anything like that.

[sporechan.livejournal.com]

I am also astounded. They've been cutting down every tree they can get to here in Camarillo for years, leaving it barren and stark, and every time they cut down something else, it hurts. They've taken the two pine trees by the street who's shade i used to pla in on the sidewalk, 2 very large ones and one small in the backyard that made up part of my childhood fantasy world, and all but one of the giants on the street.

I'm so sorry about the apple tree, and about losing the one you planned to take out.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you. My Dad, who was from farm country in Illinois, always wanted an apple tree, and truly loved eating the fruit of that one. Some years were better than others, but we always had a number of beautiful pies, lots of applesauce, and wonderfully tart, juicy slices to dip in caramel. It hurts cutting down any tree, but that one...


see icon.

[gingersnapps.livejournal.com]

You and Ammer are having terrible luck with gardeners this year! I am so sorry about the tree. Thankfully we have lots of pictures of the girls on their swing under it.

:(

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Yes, we do have those pix, thank heaven.

Ouch, how horrible!

[(Anonymous)]

How absolutely awful, bad enough to have to take out a tree but the wrong one?! and then to chip it down so you can't even get some wood to make something to remember it and the good times by. We always get upset at work when trees have to come down, the gardeners just hate it even when it's a sick tree but sometimes they are made to "open up things." (The campus at UBC, that is) No one but the up and ups seem to appreciate that part. At least you are doing something positive with the peach tree, sounds a good choice; and you do have pics. I know they're not the same but it's something.

On a happier note, I watched the This Land satire of Kerry and Bush. I know I'm in a different country but that thing is hilarious and scary as heck at the same time. They did a good job of it. Thanks to your daughter and you for passing it along. Cheers, Rennie.

Re: Ouch, how horrible!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I appreciate the sympathy. So depressing. But if we can find an appropriate peach tree it will at least be a new beginning, which is always good.

Re: This Land - yes, there are people who just have way too much time on their hands. Pretty funny, though.

[chainedbunny.livejournal.com]

To reiterate and yet to not be redundant is the key. We as humans come from nature, and all my study of Japanese Medeival history and European Medeival history has led me to believe that caring for and being moved by plants is as old as the Earth itself. How could thousands of poems be written about the blossoming cherry tree alone if trees did not in some way speak to us. To see humans disrespect not only the current tree's family and the tree they should be administering too kindly, but also to the history of gardening is heart wrenching. I wish I could be there to give you a hug. So many memories in those trees...

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the mental hugs. They are greatly appreciated.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Digital hugs are greatly appreciated.

There is an apple tree shaped hole in our back yard this morning.