Thimbleanna » RIP Pretty Trees

RIP Pretty Trees

September 28, 2011 on 10:06 pm | In Around the House | 47 Comments

*Warning: Picture Heavy Post*

It was a sad weekend here in ThimbleannaLand a few days ago. You might remember that I’ve mentioned the Emerald Ash Borer in previous posts and how they were happily eating their way through our ash trees. This past weekend was the day for the tree cutters to clear out all of our dead trees. Mr. Tree Cutter and about 6 of his buddies showed up bright and early in the morning. When they cranked up their chain saws, the kitties ran to the windows to find out what all the commotion was about.

They started in the backyard where the tree cutting was a little more difficult. For various reasons, they couldn’t just drop the trees in the old-fashioned way.

I was fascinated, watching them all work. There were two guys who climbed the trees. This guy scaled this particular tree, cutting limbs as he ascended.

Once he had most of the branches off of the trunk, he backed down the tree a bit and started working on the trunk.

When he’d cut through the trunk, he would drop his chainsaw so that he could push the trunk over in the best direction.

It seemed like there should be some sort of dangling chainsaw ballad playing in the background.

Working his way down the tree.

In the meantime, there were guys on the ground, sawing the tree into pieces and loading them onto a trailer. Branches were fed into a giant grinder/mulcher/thing.

After the they finished the trees in the backyard, they moved to the frontyard. I moved across the street and sat on a rock. I channeled my inner PW and took a picture of Marlboro Man the tree climber in his chaps tree straps. (Hey, there has to be a little levity here, ’cause this was not a happy day.)

The front yard was a different operation. There was room to let the trees fall. Here Mr. Tree Cutter cuts the traditional notch in the tree.

They tied the tree to the front of a pickup and used the pickup to pull it in the right direction.

You may remember seeing this particular tree before.

It’s the tree that provided a safe home to the baby Cooper’s Hawks a few years ago.

This tree made a huge crashing sound (all those limbs breaking) when it came down. Not gonna lie. I sat there on my rock and shed a tear or two.

Four more trees and they were finished. Three hours total work to take down years of tree growth. We’re left with 9 stumps.

There is one little ray of sunshine though, at least for now. For some reason, the tree below hasn’t been dying like the others. I was just sick about three weeks ago when I noticed a few leaves gone and realized that it too, is an ash tree. I LOVE this tree. It’s so different and people comment on it a lot when they come to visit. It stands there tall and straight all by itself. It’s fun to stand under it and look waaaaaaay up to where the leaves start. Just four days before it was scheduled to be cut down, a tree guy was here for another reason and he suggested that we try to treat it. He said they’ve learned a lot about treatment in the last year (we’d been told a few years ago that it probably wouldn’t work) and they’re having great success.

We’re one of the first states to have the EAB and it’s estimated that we’ll lose 20% of our canopy here. That seems high to me, although we see dead trees a lot. For us, it’s probably about 25%. Hopefully, by the time the EAB spreads much farther, they’ll have treatment perfected. It costs about as much to treat a tree as it does to cut it down, so there’s not much to lose! Anyway, we’re really hopeful (well, I’m really hopeful — TheManoftheHouse doesn’t seem to be terribly attached to the trees like I am) that our one remaining ash tree will survive.

So, we’ll see. If you’ve made it this far, thanks for sticking with me and the tree cutters!

XOXO,
Anna

47 Comments

Good God those trees are tall! I can share your tree-grief, we are battling borers too, sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. We’ve become quite adept at picking a new infestation and then we leap into action :0> The tree cutters have started knocking door to door around here :oP toni xxx

Comment by toni xxx — September 28, 2011 #
That IS sad. I hate to see trees go. They are so important to the atmosphere and to the landscape. A few blocks up from our house, the city decided to cut down a whole row of trees. There was no disease or anything; I guess they were just in the way of the new building :(

On the bright side, it looks like it was interesting and entertaining to watch…for the cats at least.

Comment by Rachel — September 28, 2011 #
So sad about the tress, but luckily you still live in a very green and lovable place with a lot of space!

Comment by nicolette — September 29, 2011 #
No fun. We lost three of our big pines to the pine borers years ago. Just not right. Now we’re seeing a lot of dead trees around town from the drought. Sheesh!

Comment by Elaine/MuddlingThrough — September 29, 2011 #
Oh, what a sad day. I hate seeing trees being cut down, but diseased ones have to go. Fingers and toes crossed for the remaining one! Aren’t those tree fellers amazing! I’m having a little sniffle with you…..

Comment by Meredithe — September 29, 2011 #
A sad day indeed. It’s awful to think of the devastation that you and your state are facing…20% is a lot of trees!! I hope the treatment works and that you save the last remaining ash. Will you be replanting with a different variety? I know it will take years before they will stand as tall as those that you have taken down.

((hugs))

P.S. I love that you connected with your inner PW… :o) great shot!

Comment by Sew Create It - Jane — September 29, 2011 #
Oh my that was a lot of trees Anna, so sorry you lost them, hope those borers don’t come north…. And oh that does look like Marlboro Man’s ummm chaps lol, you are so observant!!

Comment by Shawn — September 29, 2011 #
We need to go through the same tree dramas too, Bora and white ant (termites) All a bit sad to lose trees.

Comment by Janet — September 29, 2011 #
Hi Anna, So sad about your big tree. I hate to see mature trees die and have to be cut down. Hey, I wanted to ask you about a sewing machine. I have to get a new one, nothing fancy. I would like to get one with all the current bells and whistles but mostly one that monograms. Do you have any favorites? One that’s reasonable priced? I know you kow a lot about machines and just wanted your opinion. Take care Tracey

Comment by Tracey Craig — September 29, 2011 #
my fingers are crossed we find a treatment soon, we planted an ash when we first moved into our house about 8 years ago…by far the largest tree in our backyard now, and the only tree we picnic under!! fingers crossed!!
sorry you lost so many beauties

Comment by Jenny — September 29, 2011 #
I don’t like to see trees coming down either, but if there are men in tree “chaps” it does make it slightly easier to take. You know the picture of your kitty is the spitting image of my Pavi. At first glance, I thought it was… too cute!

Comment by Jackie — September 29, 2011 #
I hate losing trees…I would have shed a tear or two myself. Love the PW shot.

Comment by Judy — September 29, 2011 #
I’m so sorry that your trees had to come down! We did this earlier in the year with a few dead trees and one that was leaning and threatening the house. It made me so sad. Thanks for the tree strap pic though, it made my morning! :o)

Comment by carolyn — September 29, 2011 #
I’m so sorry about your trees. We have 17 Thundercloud Plums around our property and we’ve had to cut several down due to snow (yes, really) damage and other issues (woodpecker made one look like a cribbage board). Time to replant. On a lighter note, Kellie’s posted about her fabric! Need some smiles? It is adorable!

Comment by Auntie Pami — September 29, 2011 #
Sorry about the trees Anna…the MM comment made me snort out coffee though…too funny. Hope this weekend is better!

Comment by Mary ann — September 29, 2011 #
At least the MM had some nice assets. The Emerald Ash Borer has been found in several state parks and it makes me sad to think about how it is going to change the scenery of the park. Sorry about your trees. Watching new trees grown and replace them will be a neat experience. Since you are a tree lover I do not suggest getting the ornimental pear trees, They self destruct after about 10-12 years. We lost 2 of them within a month of each other due to wind.

Comment by Debbe — September 29, 2011 #
I’d be sick if I lost my ash trees. About 10 years ago, I had a certified arborist come to check on my trees because they were dropping their leaves in the middle of summer. He recommended spraying the trees several times – first a dormant oil in the early spring and then twice during the summer. Now, the company has the capability of injecting ground around the trees with the spray. All of this has saved the trees from the scale and bark borers.

Comment by Nancy — September 29, 2011 #
I’m so sorry about the trees. They are tough to grow where I live and so I have a tree attachment too and understand your loss.

Leave it to you, Miss Thimble, to find a Marlboro Man’s backside amongst the Lumberjacks! (Does his wife know you put that picture of him on the WWW?)

Jody

Comment by Jody — September 29, 2011 #
So sad to lose all those lovely trees! Better to come down that way though than the way a large pine tree came down here early in the summer—courtesy of a storm, AND while we were away! We came back to find this giant lying askew across our yard, having narrowly missed the pool cage! Fingers crossed for the treatment of the lone survivor….

Comment by molly — September 29, 2011 #
So sorry about your trees…they were so tall. We have about 75 that have to be cut down. They were planted as saplings for our sons 4-H project about 22 years ago. Most are dying or already dead. It’s so sad to see them go. They were just starting to look so nice too!

p.s. Love guys in chaps!! LOL!

Comment by Karen — September 29, 2011 #
Please share the treatment or how we can learn about it. We have not been hit yet in Minnesota but they have traps all around watching for them. We have several trees in our yard and would love to save them if possible. I so feel for you!

Comment by penny miller — September 29, 2011 #
Wow! What tall trees you have! I’m sorry they had to be cut down :(

Comment by Amy H — September 29, 2011 #
How sad to lose such wonderful trees – I hope the remaining one survives. I would have been crying to, watching them being felled. Will you be able to burn the logs in fires/stoves? If not, you could post them to Malcolm for his log store!!

Comment by frayedattheedge — September 29, 2011 #
I know how you feel about your trees. I live in an old neighborhood(50+ yrs)that had lots and lots of trees. Lots of oak trees. Residents have gone through cutting down the trees because the roots starting destroying the plumbling or they start getting sickly. We are one of the last houses on our street with a huge tree. It is so beautiful in both the winter and the summer. Ours is a beautiful Mulberry Tree.

Comment by ina — September 29, 2011 #
I can only imagine how sick you must feel about losing your trees. They are not people, of course, but they are living and they do bring beauty and protection. That is so sad.

When we started building our home 17 years ago the first thing we did was put a big part of the landscaping budget into mature trees. We had a tree mover move 8 big blue spruce trees and plant them and we went to a tree specialist to get recommendations and purchase large trees. I can’t believe how some people build huge nice homes and don’t plant trees. I just don’t get that. Our house is kind of jungle looking from the front now because our trees are very mature. Not nearly as tall as yours that you cut but big. The tree outside my sewing room window has to go. It has some disease, too. Sad. But in order to save surrounding trees, it has to go.

I feel your pain.

Comment by nanette — September 29, 2011 #
I would have cried too , but there was a cute butt to watch ! HUgs x

Comment by periwinkle — September 29, 2011 #
I’m sorry about your trees, Anna. I hope the lone solider will stand and survive. On a happier note, LOVED the PW reference. It was a good laugh.

Comment by Jen — September 29, 2011 #
oh man that just makes me wanna cry!!!
we had pine needles dropping on our roof and rotting it when i was a teenager and they cut something crazy like 27 pine trees and took them out of our yard. it was SOOO sad. we had enough trees that you could barely notice i guess, being from the EVERGREEN state and everything, but i was crushed. i’m sorry you lost your lovely trees and i hope your lone ash tree survives its treatment.

Comment by brigette — September 29, 2011 #
Dear Anna,

My condolences. My heart bleeds every time a tree is felled in our neighborhood. A quote for the occasion.

“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky. We fell them and turn them into paper that we may record our emptiness.” ~ Kahil Gibran

Comment by Amy — September 30, 2011 #
Oh, how sad about your trees. Great action shots, though. I love your kitty in the window!

Comment by Karen — September 30, 2011 #
Hi Anna,
I feel your pain, you poor thing. I cried like a baby when I lost my huge maple tree in front 14+ years ago…and still miss it (and the shade). You are a brave gal to say goodbye to so many. Hope you have a good weekend…do something nice for yourself. It’s getting cold and windy here today (I LOVE it) so maybe a trip to the apple orchard for me. Take care.

Amy
xoxo

Comment by Amy — September 30, 2011 #
poor ash trees. what a shame. it is fascinating to see how they manage these giants of nature.
our kittie is sooo fluffy and cute!!

Comment by barb — September 30, 2011 #
:( I’m sorry you had to lose your trees, Anna. Hopefully the one left standing will respond well to treatment. I love your cat.

Comment by Karin — September 30, 2011 #
Oh it is always sad to loose a tree. I feel for you xoox Clarice

Comment by clarice — September 30, 2011 #
the Green Nation is a bit smaller and a lot sadder … i had to look away after the collage of stumps – it’s just so sad … i have been cutting down our peach tree, a few branches at a time, for the past two weeks and it is breaking my heart … sniff … sniff … sob

Comment by dianne — September 30, 2011 #
Wow, dangerous work, I think I stick to quilting ;).

Comment by Vreni — September 30, 2011 #
Those trees were huge! So sad to see them go.
I hope the last tree survives.

Do you have plans to replace the trees?

Comment by Miriam — October 1, 2011 #
that is really sad – so many in one go! it is like the loss of our elm trees here in the UK pretty much all gone now to dutch elm disease :-(

Comment by jo — October 1, 2011 #
Thanks for the pictures of the fashionable tree cutter. Yea, nice! Am sorry to read about your trees. Will you be planting more? Are you going to rent a tree trunk grinder? That’s what we did. Cheers!

Comment by Carole Prevost-Meier — October 2, 2011 #
Oh I just hate when trees have to be cut down – it takes so long for them to grow so tall.

Hugs – Mrs. Farmhouse

Comment by karen — October 2, 2011 #
I know exactly how you feel about your trees. I love my trees and always have my favorite. It’s so sad to lose them and you lost a lot!!! After living in Ca where you didn’t see the beautiful trees like we do in the Midwest I really appreciate them even more.

Comment by Sharon Yeager — October 2, 2011 #
Oh dear, sorry about all that. It’s not often that you do sad posts.

Re kilts – Mr Life doesn’t like himself in a kilt (he was forced to wear one to an uncle’s wedding when he was 5 or something and this traumatised him!). I think he looks fine, actually. The groom and best man and one usher are English, so not kilt-wearers, but my nephew has a Scottish dad, so wore one.

Comment by Isabelle — October 2, 2011 #
The poor trees! I am sorry you’ve lost so much of your treescape. I hope the remaining ash can be saved.

Comment by Di — October 2, 2011 #
This summer we had several dead pine trees removed. I stared out the window for a long time because I found it pretty fascinating. This particular company used bulldozers and were extremely fast. They were actually here to do the septic system, but we tossed a little extra money their way and bam! the trees came down too. Anyway, there was 0 left when they were done…not even a stump or a hole…just dirt. My husband informed me that I should stop staring out the window. And I informed him as long as I paid my bill I could stare at the free reality tv as long as I liked. LOL.

Comment by Dandelion Quilts — October 3, 2011 #
I love the photo of the white cat sitting at the window. It’s just such purrrfect cat behavior.

Comment by Mary — October 3, 2011 #
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Comment by diablo 3 — October 4, 2011 #
I have never heard of your nasty pest – what a shame all the trees had to go. Hope the last remaining one makes a good recovery.

Comment by Lisa — October 4, 2011 #