One positive note about daylight savings time: gardening after supper.
In the yard, on my hands and knees, at the east lilac border. Sharon and Arianna had planted this location, but never really took ownership of it. I'm moving this and that to this location in the hopes of continued naturalization.
Naturalization is a goal that's really taken hold. If a native plant, such as the bell flower that likes the lilac border, takes root, self sows, and proliferates over time, the bed becomes (almost) self-sustaining.
As the 2012 season begins, I'm interested to see / learn what species can be naturalized in the rocky, impenetrable corner of earth.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Unseasonable
Warm, dry weather persists. May flowers are in full bloom.
What will become of May?
Arianna took the camera into the garden today . . .
What will become of May?
Arianna took the camera into the garden today . . .
Friday, March 23, 2012
Still more death
Record breaking temperatures have put a smile on just about everybody's lips. March warm as this reminds me of Missouri. Of course, it could still snow. And, it's been known to do so at Easter.
Still, I'm out and about . . . cleaning up, raking the dead grass out of the lawn, and discovering that one of the old Serviceberry trees in the northeast corner of the backyard is not likely to bloom. And, similarly, the Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, with which the Serviceberry is planted, is showing an abundance of deadwood.
To what extant this is the result of my having inherited mature trees or a Winter during which disease was able to thrive, I cannot say. But, it is a sad day to realize the landscape is going to undergo a change I would have preferred to occur long after I was carried away from here.
Still, I'm out and about . . . cleaning up, raking the dead grass out of the lawn, and discovering that one of the old Serviceberry trees in the northeast corner of the backyard is not likely to bloom. And, similarly, the Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, with which the Serviceberry is planted, is showing an abundance of deadwood.
To what extant this is the result of my having inherited mature trees or a Winter during which disease was able to thrive, I cannot say. But, it is a sad day to realize the landscape is going to undergo a change I would have preferred to occur long after I was carried away from here.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
97"
When the fungus appears at the base of the tree it's only a matter of time.
More than a few years ago, Bruno ranted and raved about the hickory in the side yard, threatening me that if the tree fell on the house I could expect no financial aid from him in repairing the damage. In fairness to Bruno, had the tree fallen it might very well have done so on his bedroom.
When the hickory in the front of house suffered storm damage in '09, the arborist recommended that it come down. Economics and sentiment informed my decision then. This year, regarding the fungus, the tree's close proximity to the house, and a desire to embrace the inevitable, I decided to put this old, 97" shagbark hickory out of its misery. I had it pulled down.
A tree this size might be expected to require a long drawn out process to bring it down. The team I hired didn't bring it down in pieces. Instead, they cut a notch at the base - the angle of the notch cut in the direction they wanted the tree to fall. Then, with the notch removed from the tree, and the tree tethered to another hickory near the road, a man used a large chainsaw to cut through its base. When the cut was complete . . . gravity took over . . . .
I was in the front yard when the tree came down. I was impressed by two things. First, the handful of men handling the line that tethered the trees, would never have been able to direct the fall. Second, the fall was not as rapid as I had expected. When the cut was complete, the tree tilted away from the house and then s l o w l y dropped on the front lawn.
As practical and matter of fact a decision as it was to bring the tree down, I nevertheless was sad at its having contracted butt rot. The sound of the chain saws sectioning the majesty of this old tree - a tree that stood its ground decades longer than a housing developer envisioned our suburban ranch house - left me striving to justify what I'd chosen to do. This was especially true upon inspection.
An Eastern Red Bud will be planted in the coming weeks. A good native understory tree. But I'd venture to guess it'll take some time before the Goldfinches will be perched on its limbs. And I don't reckon the Virginia Creeper will find it an especially accommodating climb.
More than a few years ago, Bruno ranted and raved about the hickory in the side yard, threatening me that if the tree fell on the house I could expect no financial aid from him in repairing the damage. In fairness to Bruno, had the tree fallen it might very well have done so on his bedroom.
When the hickory in the front of house suffered storm damage in '09, the arborist recommended that it come down. Economics and sentiment informed my decision then. This year, regarding the fungus, the tree's close proximity to the house, and a desire to embrace the inevitable, I decided to put this old, 97" shagbark hickory out of its misery. I had it pulled down.
A tree this size might be expected to require a long drawn out process to bring it down. The team I hired didn't bring it down in pieces. Instead, they cut a notch at the base - the angle of the notch cut in the direction they wanted the tree to fall. Then, with the notch removed from the tree, and the tree tethered to another hickory near the road, a man used a large chainsaw to cut through its base. When the cut was complete . . . gravity took over . . . .
I was in the front yard when the tree came down. I was impressed by two things. First, the handful of men handling the line that tethered the trees, would never have been able to direct the fall. Second, the fall was not as rapid as I had expected. When the cut was complete, the tree tilted away from the house and then s l o w l y dropped on the front lawn.
As practical and matter of fact a decision as it was to bring the tree down, I nevertheless was sad at its having contracted butt rot. The sound of the chain saws sectioning the majesty of this old tree - a tree that stood its ground decades longer than a housing developer envisioned our suburban ranch house - left me striving to justify what I'd chosen to do. This was especially true upon inspection.
I don't know whether a strong May wind would've knocked the tree onto the house this year or in ten. Nobody does. And, yes, the stump was filled with water. But, when I look at the hollow compared to the amount of wood, something tells me I was hood winked.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Academic Fair
An unseasonably warm evening for the St. Catherine of Siena Academic Fair. Even Grandpa - who'd stayed home in recent years - joined us to review the achievements of Arianna and her classmates.
As its name implies the Academic Fair is an opportunity for parents to review the academic achievements of the school year to date. In years past, we were treated to a portfolio of Arianna's work and toured the school with her, chatting with former teachers and other parents. An unmistakable right of passage is middle school-age children spending the majority of their school day on the second floor of the school - away from the 'little kids.' Another is the evolution of the academic portfolio to a full-blown project. This year, the History Fair assignment. In Arianna's case, Frank Lloyd Wright. Next year, it'll be Science Fair.
So, Bruno, Sharon, and I were left alone while Arianna enjoyed speaking to parents about her project.
Clearly, Arianna enjoys the opportunity to socialize with friends.
As its name implies the Academic Fair is an opportunity for parents to review the academic achievements of the school year to date. In years past, we were treated to a portfolio of Arianna's work and toured the school with her, chatting with former teachers and other parents. An unmistakable right of passage is middle school-age children spending the majority of their school day on the second floor of the school - away from the 'little kids.' Another is the evolution of the academic portfolio to a full-blown project. This year, the History Fair assignment. In Arianna's case, Frank Lloyd Wright. Next year, it'll be Science Fair.
So, Bruno, Sharon, and I were left alone while Arianna enjoyed speaking to parents about her project.
Clearly, Arianna enjoys the opportunity to socialize with friends.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Again?
I walked out of the office with a colleague and we were both surprised at the intensity of the wind and the amount of blowing snow. Snow. Just like last week: wet and heavy. A slippery mess that resulted in my commute being nearly two hours. So much of a mess that the backed up traffic caused me to entertain a detour from my customary route. So, at Penny Road I decided I had to take it or risk being late for Stations of the Cross @ 7PM.
Still, the tips of daffodils continue to make their presence known.
Still, the tips of daffodils continue to make their presence known.