Goodbye Tree

I awoke this morning to the roar of chainsaws and other similar sounds (which lasted about three hours!). I was sad to discover that the neighbour's giant tree which overlooks our front yard had been removed. The landscape looks quite different now from our front porch. There seems to be more sky, and I can see all the way down the hill now. Just yesterday I was looking up at that tree and thinking about how cool it was that the leaves fell right over my flower beds so I didn't have to mulch them for winter. Seriously, these leaves covered all of my front yard plantings every autumn - it was pretty neat.

I don't know why the tree was removed, but I'm guessing it was a safety hazard. It's twisted branches were quite close to the power lines and part of the trunk was hollowed out - it looked like something from a fairy tale actually. It wasn't really in keeping with the rest of my neighbour's garden. They have perfectly-cut hedges and finely mowed grass - quite the contrast to my tangled wild garden! I imagine all those leaves were quite a nuisance to them every year. We certainly have different approaches, my neighbours and I. Sometimes I think they would complain if it weren't for the fact that my garden makes theirs look even neater!

My style of gardening is more than esthetics (though goodness knows I love a wispy vine!). It makes me feel closer to the earth, like we are working together rather than engaging in a constant uphill battle. I do not mean to criticize my neighbour's more formal style, it just doesn't work for me. I try and select plants that work with the natural environment, so that they can thrive without much interference (although I'm happy to bug them constantly!). Seriously, I get literally hours of enjoyment by watching what my garden will do next! New plants spring up in different ways, attracting all sorts of insects and animals. Barely any of it is planned, and I'm constantly adapting my gardening ideas to the changing environment.

So now the tree is gone, and my garden's environment has changed again (actually right now it is covered in sawdust, as is my neighbours). There will be more sun and more wind in that part of the garden now, and I will need to find a new way to cover my beds next winter. The tree's leaves are still there for now, protecting new growth until spring. A parting gift. Thank you sweet tree. I will miss you!