Home of the Practically Perfect Pink Phlox and other native plants for pollinators

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

The Boys Are Back~~In The Wayback


But, first they made a stop to the tops of my tallest trees! 

Clay and Limestone has some very tall trees ~~ This  one is Quercus shumardii.  Aaron and his crew keep the trees looking their best.  This time they removed dead  limbs, improved the shape of the trees and took down  a diseased Redbud and Yoshino Cherry.

Pretty darned impressive isn't it!   

This is definitely a job for someone with a great sense of balance,  who is completely comfortable with heights and 



 with the strength to pull himself up into the trees!

Meet Aaron, the motorcycle riding, skydiving, mountain climbing, boogie boarding  arborist.  I think he's completely comfortable with adrenalin, too.

No way, no how,  would I climb into any tree on this skinny rope that is  wrapped around what looks like very shaky limbs!


But this guy did!

Very easily, let me add!

Aaron was here to clean up the Bur Oak/Quercus macrocarpa in order to spare it being butchered by the city trimmers.  If that sounds harsh, I meant it to be!  We keep this tree trimmed,  but the city wanted it skinned!  I'm still mad!  Aaron assures me Grandfather Bur Oak will recover.  If you saw how much was removed you would be miffed, too!

But being mad didn't last long....Not when I knew the boys  were also here to help me with the wayback backyard!

Are you ready?  No fair scrolling ahead without reading!

Here is a view from the patio!  
Most of that green is Bush Honeysuckle. 
The photo will enlarge and you can see clearly
 the extent of the spread of BH!

 The marble bench is sited at the back of the Garden of Benign Neglect.
Before the honeysuckle extraction~~
go on
click on the photo!

The honeysuckle is amazingly prolific!

 In the midst of of a frosty freeze.
 After the honeysuckle extraction~~
go on
click on the photo!

So what do you think?   

The boys and I aren't finished.
This was the first pass through! 
There is still a bit of  honeysuckle!
  I so  wanted to show you
a teaser photo!

I promise to show you more!
In the meantime,


 I had them leave all the Juniperus virginiana/Red Cedar (most will  go) and all the native  shrubby dogwoods and redbuds.    I see paths in the future,  but this time they will have native shrubs and perennials and maybe the wildflowers will come back and mingle with the new ones that have to be planted!  The space is fantastic!  There is room for a garden room!  Rusty (Viburnum rufidulum) looks gorgeous  all pruned and cleaned up!  Did I tell you I found him there  a few weeks ago?  Also...  I love the wayback backyard!

 You'll never  guess what I found there?  The best soil that 15 years of leaf litter  can create! 

Dreams do come true!

Gail

I can't wait to show you more!  You've been so excited and supportive~~thank you!

63 comments:

  1. All that new garden Gail, very exciting. Those boys must have worked hard, I imagine you were brewing endless cups of tea/coffee! Leave litter is some of the best soil conditioner, now you can pinch a little for the rest of your garden but not too much mind! With your clay and limestone I think you probably need lots of soil conditioner. I do like the bench.

    Best wishes Sylvia

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  2. Wow Gail, looks like a lot's going on in the Wayback! New garden spaces - how exciting! A garden room! I can hardly wait to see what you do with your newly-cleared space.

    Thank heavens for Aaron and the tree crew. They look as nimble as squirrels in the trees. Those guys are awesome. We have Chuck. I love watching him up in the trees, while my feet are firmly planted on the ground. I could never do that job!

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  3. Good morning Gail, I have been waiting to see what Aaron and the gang accomplished. That guy looks like a tightrope walker on the tree limb, hope he had something around his waist for his hands were in the air! Heart attack time if that had been me, do you have the umbrella policy? The way back is a mysterious space, but surely most of those cedars have to go, or is it larger than I can tell from the photo? They grow to be huge trees, one tree could take up the whole space if left unpruned, and you have tons of them. Give the dogwoods a chance! At offspring Semi's and my own property, if the cedar seedlings were left to grow, a person would not be able to walk between them, same with the pines. Am I being too bossy here? I want to see a variety of native shrubs along with....okay I need to stop now. :-)

    Great job, but you have really left us hanging and wanting to know more!

    Frances

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  4. Sylvia,

    They did work hard and there is more to be done! I'll leave the mulchy soil back there...I have plans for the garden and the plantings that will be needing the richer soil....

    Gail

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  5. Gail - How very exciting! All that rich soil just waiting for you to dig in. And it's amazing to me at what those tree climbers can do. I think it would be fun to be up that high.

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  6. I bet the soil is fantastic! Leaves have a way of turning clay into dark, rich, and loamy soil over the years. There's a job I wouldn't be good at: Tree Climbing Arborist. I'd rather do my pruning on the ground!

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  7. Heck no you would not catch me up that tree! We had to have a very large Oak removed a few years back and those boys do amazing things with those trees! The wayback looks healthier, I know the BH was healthy, but the other plants without it almost look as though they are sighing with relief!

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  8. Arent' those Arborist amazing! I have one that has done work for me & he's like a monkey in the trees, lol. Your Wayback Garden is going to be a wonderful destination for you Gail with all the natives you plan on adding to the existing plantings. I bet that soil is just beautiful black crumbly stuff! You lucky girl! :)

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  9. Gardengirl,

    It was amazing to watch them... At one point Aaron was jumping up and down on a very small limb..it was a good thing he was tethered in the tree.

    There is still way more work to do back there! They have only cleared out about half the yard...the honeysuckle is the most difficult to remove, so that's their job...I can take the cedars out when I figure out the ones I want to keep and move the smaller ones.

    Gail

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  10. Frances,

    You are making me laugh this morning! Too bad you weren't here when this project began! You would have loved the boys and known immediatly which Red Cedars to leave. They are only about halfway through with removing the honeysuckle. The cedars are easy to get rid of but the honeysuckle in spots had to be wenched out ...with a really cool tool. I asked them to leave the cedars until I could see one or two I might like to stay. I also am leaving them in place as evergreen markers/color interest until the plantings go in. I like cedar forests but don't want one here! You have got to come in January so we can visit Growild together! Gail

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  11. Whew! That is a relief that all those cedars are not staying. And yes, I would have been bossing the boys around so bad they would have rebeled quickly, good thing I wasn't there! :-) But January sounds like a plan. Tell me about the honeysuckle tool!
    Frances

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  12. I would have been a nervous wreck the entire time he was walking on those limbs. Jamie is a little monkey too when it comes to trimming up trees. I could pinch his head off every time I find out he's done something like that.-Randy

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  13. Randy,

    One of the boys on the ground crew had been so severely injured in a motorcycle accident that he couldn't climb anymore! I don't get the attraction to adrenalin but I do remember not being afraid of heights as a kid...we had a few trees we loved to climb! So Jamie still has his fearlessness! I don't want my Mr I on the roof or anything anymore!


    gail

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  14. Great photos, Gail! How inspiring! I'm with Frances on the red cedars---I love 'em, had one big one out front when I bought this property, and carefully planted a seedling to echo it a little way down. You should see that "seedling" today, covered with its powdery cones and looking fantastic! But I keep all other seedlings cut, or my Cultivated Wild Meadow would quickly become an impenetrable, excruciatingly spiny tangle! Incidentally, I love your limestone wall. We have them at my family home outside Nashville. Ours are dry-laid, which I fear is nearly a lost art. How about yours?

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  15. That one arborist does look like he's on a tightrope. How brave!

    All I noticed once it was cleaned were those cedars. I would thin them too. It will be quite lovely once it is all planted. Looking forward to seeing what you put in there. And to seeing Rusty soon!

    Still ice up here on my deck, but it is warm. I am happy to be home.

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  16. Gail, What a difference they've made already! I can just see ideas spinning in your head for all this new space to garden--and no limestone to dig up?? How exciting!

    I'm so glad you saved the Bur Oak! You know how much I love that tree. At our old house we had a couple old trees growing up near the power lines--not planted by us, of course. Every few years the power company would want to trim them back--what a butchered mess they did! A pruning by a trained arborist is definitely the way to go. And I wouldn't want that job either:)

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  17. Gail,

    Let me pause a moment to recover from the vertigo...

    I need Aaron and his crew to work on my back woodland.

    Mother Nature's composted soil can be beat, can it? Oh, I am giddy with excitement wondering what you'll plant in your re-invention of the Wayback.

    Cameron

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  18. Gail, how easy they make the tree climbing look. 'Look Ma, no hands'!

    Am amazing difference already in the way back. I can see paths amoung the wildflowers and trees. And wonderful soil to grow them in. Can't wait to see more.

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  19. Beckie,

    Aren't they something up ther..not one of them is over 30 yrs old! Remember then we we thought we could do what ever we wanted without consequences forever!

    I have hopes for the wayback but it will be a long process...who has the money to do it all at once....I want to retire someday! Or at least have a nice vacation!

    Gail

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  20. Dave,

    I knew it was good soil when Miccah called me over to look at it and the 'animal den' he found! The soil is lovely but we know limestone still is hiding under there!

    One of the nicest gifts from Aaron was the pruning lesson he gave me...I don't think he hads to worry about losing business, but having a schema will be helpful!

    gail

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  21. Cameron,

    Mother nature really does seem to provide us with the things we need! I am excited to see how the wayback turns out, too! All ideas are welcome!

    Gail

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  22. OFB,

    Yes they will go...they are just left over from the first pass and the all important job of getting the honeysuckle out! Much of it had to be wenched out...and there is still so much more!

    Do you have photos of the Cutivated Wild Meadow? It sounds wonderful...my kind of place!

    gail

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  23. Rose,

    I love the Bur...it's a baby tree compared to yours. Now it's a sliced and diced baby tree! That wayback is still full of bad bad honeysuckle and once it stops raining they can continue the job! Glad you could see the potential!

    gail

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  24. Tina,

    When I was in the wayback taking photos I took a slide on the icy rocks...wow was I lucky I didn't fall and break something! Oh those cedars....before anyone can say successional forest they will be gone!
    Although, I do love them and now they are a nice bit of evergreen back there!

    Gail

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  25. Darla,

    It does look healthier! Thank you for saying that...I feel that way, too. Aaron et al are quite nice and talented; don't they make it all look fun? You will not catch me up there at all! Never! I am not comfortable on ladders anymore..

    Gail

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  26. Frances,

    They would have loved you! Seriously, they didn't mind direction at all! Send instructions and I will give them a copy when they return;)

    written with affection, Gail

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  27. Gail, it's already a more beautiful spot ... as you work your magic back there in the seasons to come, I know it's going to be ever more so!

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  28. I'm terrified of heights and always have been, especially as a child.

    I'm glad there are brave people like these guys who can do that job! Wow!

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  29. I had a great time reading about the Wayback Garden: I clicked and expanded the images, I did not scroll ahead when reading!
    :)
    I can see why you love it. If i had a space suddenly opened up for a garden I would be very excited...not to mention wonderful soil of leafmould! How fun to plan paths and a garden room. I have to say, I am quite partial to those myself.I wish I could live in our "teahouse".
    I look forward to seeing more.
    :)
    Philip

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  30. Our Friend Ben,

    I forgot to answer a question...our wall is not dry stacked...I wish it were...those walls stand for a long time and the workmanship is beautiful! You are lucky to have one!

    Gail

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  31. Cindy,

    Thank you! There's a lot to do and think about...I am not a designer...just like plants getting my hands in the soil;-)

    Gail

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  32. Robin,

    I grew into fear of heights! Not sure why or when, but those tree top jobs are for some people but not me either!

    Gail

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  33. Phillip,

    I am excited that you like it! Your visits are always appreciated! I do love it back there; it's a pretty little woodlands. ...Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm with me...I was starting to get overwhelmed!

    Gail

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  34. Geez, it's a good thing I don't have a job like that or I'd probably fall on my head.

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  35. Cinj,

    Wouldn't most of us! I can't negotiate a ladder anymore without getting shakey! Gail

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  36. I think the oak tree will look really nice when it leafs out. You must be estatic about the cleaning up in the wayback backyard! I do hope your honeysuckle stays gone, at least for a long time.

    Gail, re: your question on my post about Meyer lemons - they are a lot sweeter and thinner skinned than regular store bought lemons. I think the theory is that they are some type of lemon/orange cross.

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  37. Jean,

    Thank you so much...now I will get one next time I run over to Whole Foods!

    The Bur Oak is one of my favorite trees and the city has a very aggressive trimming policy...far more aggressive then is warranted. But I appreciate hearing some encouragement!

    Gail

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  38. We will know where to find you this spring Gail. It is looking so inviting in the way back you will be there planting up a storm then watching to see what all pops up.

    Aren't these arborists better than circque solei. You know what I mean. I know I didn't spell it right. I am too tired to look it up.

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  39. Gail, I am so glad that they didn't take down the bur oak. That has got to be an exquisite tree. I love the acorns off it. I'm still fascinated over them.
    I can see where you would be jumping up & down over the prospects of a new garden area. Sure will be a treat when you start to garden in that glorious area. You must keep us up to date on it.

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  40. i know that wouldn't be me up those trees either but glad you have help getting those trees in shape. it's like a hair cut, it feels good.

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  41. Yikes! With my vertigo, I could barely read this post. A very Merry Christmas, Gail. Your newfound rich soil is the best surprise gift of all!

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  42. That isn't something I'd want to do for a living;) Looks like they did a great job.
    Marnie

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  43. Marnie,

    Not the job for me either! But I admire their skill and daring! They will return tomorrow to finish th job! Then the ball is in my court.

    gail

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  44. Marmee,

    Hi there...yes the trees needed a little trim! None off the top...these guys never top a tree but the side burns were a tad long...Have a good day! Gail

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  45. Lola,

    it's a lovely tree and it looks a bit bare now! I am glad you liked the acorns...thank you for the sweet Christmas greeting! happiest Christmases to you! gail

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  46. Joey,

    I used to climb up on the roof and would love to get up there to photograph the garden from that angle! But I just can't make myself do it anymore...not unless the ladder is permanently fixed to the ground! The soil is lovely...gail

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  47. Lisa,

    They are acrobats...and daring young men in their flying what evers! Spring shall be a lot of fun...it starts in February... sometimes, but winter doesn't stop until much later!
    ...and in Ohio?

    gail

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  48. These young men are truly impressive. I'm glad I wasn't around to watch it happen. I would have had shaky knees the whole time. But they sure cleaned up the Wayback for you. Good job!

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  49. Those guys are brave to dangle from their rope wrapped around branches that might not be as strong as they think they are! We have trees that look about as tall as yours...and it is SOOO expensive to get an arborist out here to do work for us. My husband isn't able to take on such a task! Your woods look great with the honeysuckle cleared out and it sounds like you are excited about your ideas for planting in the spring! Merry Christmas to you! Jan

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  50. Jane Marie,

    I get those shaky knees when I climb the ladder to clean out a clogged gutter. A very weird feeling! So I am glad there are folks who love to do the tree work! The wayback is coming along, thank you! Gail

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  51. Jan,

    Yes, tree work is a budget cruncher!
    There will be fewer wildflowers under the trees this year;-) Merry Christmas to you...Gail

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  52. Gail, Ive had great fun touring your gardens thru your pictures. Ooh what I wouldnt give for some agile young tree trimmers on this place! Thanks for visiting my mud lady, Tess. She is just a hump under the new snow today.

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  53. Kathi,

    Welocome to c&l! Hump under the snow or not...she is stellar! I love concrete! What fun she must have been to create! She is so Henri Matisse, so Modigliani (Red Nude) so....Kathi Dunphy! I am glad you looked around...it's got to be fun or there's no point! gail

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  54. Gail, Looks and sounds great so far... but aren't you a teaser? I'll look forward to the next update! (Pretty exciting, isn't it?) :-)

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  55. Shady,

    What do you ever mean! They are coming back tomorrow...there were so many honeysuckle... I 'll have more photos on Monday! Take care and keep safe on your trip up north!

    Gail

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  56. Wow, Gail, what a difference. I know you are happy to have that honeysuckle out of there. I can't wait to see what you do with the wayback backyard. And no, you would NEVER find me up in a tree like Aaron! Those arborists are amazing.

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  57. I know just how you feel about unprofessional tree-trimmers and their hack jobs. My pet peeve is that they bill themselves as tree specialists when in reality all they are are a group of guys in love with the sound of power tools. I'm so glad you found a true arborist. They are my heroes!

    Cindy

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  58. Here I am again Gail .. rounding up the last of the commentors?? comman taters ?? yet again ? haha
    Tell me I saw a giant dragonfly statue come work of art thing in that back 40 shot there ? other wise I am going to have to give up that peppermint tea I almost spit on my lap top girl ! .. there is one there .. isn't there .. right ????
    You couldn't promise me enough fudge in the world to skinny up a tree like that monkey-man did .. and that is saying something, for me to say !!
    I'll be back .. near the end of the post yet again .. but please tell me there is a giant dragonfly thing there .. ok ????

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  59. Have you read Tree: A Life Story by David Suzuki? Made me think of you here. But boy, we mismanage trees so much.... grrr....

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  60. So exciting Gail - it is wonderful to reclaim a new bit of land.
    K

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  61. Ackkkk, I'm afraid of heights and that just doesn't look at all fun!

    I can't wait to what you do with you newly discovered plot of good soil! Kim

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  62. omg, adrenalin junkies to the max. That's way more than I could take (but then again I'm afraid of heights). Very impressive. The soil sounds fantastic. Your garden is going to be incredible next season. I can't wait to follow along...

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  63. Wow... does Aaron want a girlfriend?!!! (I'm only half kidding, lol!)

    Can't wait to see what you do with the space, Gail... :)

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"Insects are the little things that run the world." Dr. E O Wilson