Giant Oak Tree Reduction

Anyone who's been reading this blog for a few years knows I have quite a few giant oak trees on my property and we try to do something to at least one of them each year to try and make them last a bit longer. 

All the tree's are in their later years but some are in worst states than others. Luckily for me my brother is a tree surgeon so performing this work is usually done for a swap of my trade, or just because he's such a nice brother! 

The poor shape of the tree. 

 He came with his friend and fellow tree climber, Chris, last Saturday and they set to work straight away. This is a tree that's by the road and I think it's been struck by lightening in the past. Lots of dead wood and straggly branches. 

Putting the line in the tree

 Luckily all I had to do was keep them fed and watered all day and watch the road at a few points. They got loads done. 

A game of spot my brother!

Out on a limb

After the reduction

Some firewood and brash

They both worked hard all day and the tree looks so much better by the end. I've also ended up with lots of firewood to sort out, a great bonus to this type of work. The tree should also be less likely to drop branches now and hopefully it'll live a lot longer yet! 

Who else has been getting work done to trees on their property?

A Quick Tour Of The Garden

Another shaky video tour around my garden on the 1st of May.

Not huge amounts going on but things will really speed up this month as the weather warms up. I've also got loads growing on the windowsills inside but they're almost worthy of another post by themselves!

How's your garden looking at the moment?

Lots Of Seeds

The other night I decided to organise my seeds a little better and get rid of some old ones. 

I started sorting them into piles of different groups and families. When I stepped back to look it turns out I've got quite a few! 

I'm going to make something to keep them organised so I know where everything is. Any one have any links to a good seed organiser or any good ideas? Preferably one I could make to sell!

Apples From Storage

I've shown pictures of the apple store I built for my mother before but I thought I'd show you all a picture for what some of the apples look like in it now.

Scotch Bridgett - one of our favourite keepers. 

Although they're not going to win the village show it does prove that we can keep apples with no pumped in gases or artificial cooling well into April and May. 
Careful picking, storage and selection of variety is all that is needed. You need to be vigilant with checking them and remove any that go bad. Sadly keeping food in this way is a skill we're slowly loosing and one day we might all need it again. Best to practice with food storage now I think, when the results aren't quite so important! 

Shepherdess

My little shepherdess watching her flock.

All the things she's learning without even realising it.

Makes all the highs, lows, late nights, missed work and grumpiness worth every second.