For the last couple of days we had a respite from the heat and humidity! Along with plentiful rain (six inches for the month) we are blessed with happy plants. I'm so thankful to enjoy time on the patio and in the garden in July. It's also a time that Grayden and I have been able to do our second pruning of the shrubbery.
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| Our Crepe Myrtle |
During this past week we had the trees attended to on our property. If you remember we had a very large limb fall in May and it prompted us to get our trees evaluated. I was going to post a link to that post, but I have somehow managed to delete that post!
We had several large oak limbs removed. They also looked at the health of our trees and one was singled out as a possible problem. This large oak was beside our bedroom and very close to the house. We decided it was best for us to have this tree removed.
It makes us sad as we know this tree was over 100 years old. When the tree was removed water came out of the inside. It would have rotted from the inside and then been a danger to our home.
Summer storms can get quite violent in our area and we always see on the news where folks have large trees slice through their homes. It's so sad to see that, even sadder when someone gets hurt or worse.
I am always amazed at how skillful these men take down huge limbs without injury to themselves or to property.
Our new view of our garden has a lot more morning light now. Thank goodness we still have plenty of shade around in the afternoon when the temperatures increase.
The Rudbeckia Hirta (Blackeyed Susan) are blooming and brightening up the perennial bed.
The bees are enjoying the blooms as they gather nectar. It makes me so happy to see them in our garden.
I've not seen the usual butterflies this year. I'm not sure why. The butterflies I see seem to have the most crazy flights. Rather spastic with circling quickly around flowers. Have you seen the usual number of butterflies this year?
We need all of the pollinators we can get.
I thought we had some milkweed growing in our compost area, but it turned out to be pokeberry. Pokeberry can be the bane of us that like to hang sheets on the line. If you have birds you know what I mean! We are going to have to arrange a new clothesline as the tree we had removed served as a part of a clothesline for us.
July is practically over and August will greet us tomorrow. I hope you are finding joy in whatever comes your way.
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| Taken in May |
We had several large oak limbs removed. They also looked at the health of our trees and one was singled out as a possible problem. This large oak was beside our bedroom and very close to the house. We decided it was best for us to have this tree removed.
It makes us sad as we know this tree was over 100 years old. When the tree was removed water came out of the inside. It would have rotted from the inside and then been a danger to our home.
Summer storms can get quite violent in our area and we always see on the news where folks have large trees slice through their homes. It's so sad to see that, even sadder when someone gets hurt or worse.
I am always amazed at how skillful these men take down huge limbs without injury to themselves or to property.
Our new view of our garden has a lot more morning light now. Thank goodness we still have plenty of shade around in the afternoon when the temperatures increase.
The Rudbeckia Hirta (Blackeyed Susan) are blooming and brightening up the perennial bed.
The bees are enjoying the blooms as they gather nectar. It makes me so happy to see them in our garden.
I've not seen the usual butterflies this year. I'm not sure why. The butterflies I see seem to have the most crazy flights. Rather spastic with circling quickly around flowers. Have you seen the usual number of butterflies this year?
We need all of the pollinators we can get.
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| Sphinx Moth |
I thought we had some milkweed growing in our compost area, but it turned out to be pokeberry. Pokeberry can be the bane of us that like to hang sheets on the line. If you have birds you know what I mean! We are going to have to arrange a new clothesline as the tree we had removed served as a part of a clothesline for us.
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| Shredded Oak Stump |
July is practically over and August will greet us tomorrow. I hope you are finding joy in whatever comes your way.
Lovely post! I can't wait until the weather gets cooler! At least the humidity hasn't been that bad the past few days! Happy Monday!
ReplyDeletePilar, isn't it nice to have a little reprieve from the heat and humidity? I hope you have enjoyed it. Have a great week! ♥
DeleteWe have a very big redwood tree in our backyard, just beside the bathrrom, but according to law we cannot cut it down..
ReplyDeleteKrishna, how wonderful to have a redwood tree! They are the most majestic of trees. Are they protected by law? I imagine they are and I also imagine if it looked like it needed to come down you would be able to have that done. I love all trees and really hated to have to have this one cut down. Have a lovely week. ♥
DeleteWe have had some amazing weather for July the past few days. Just wonderful. And I am always intrigued at how much I think I'll miss a tree when its taken down (and I do) but also how quickly we adjust to the new views and landscape. Glad you made the decision to take down that tree that sounds like it would be a problem for you.
ReplyDeleteDotsie, we are in the adjustment stage. It feels good to have it done, but sad to have to do it.
DeleteI hope you are recovering well. Enjoy this great weather while it lasts. It's a wonderful gift for this time of year. ♥
It has been really nice the last three days with the heat being down. It is nice to not step out the door and break out in sweat! Wow...looks like you got a lot of work done. Nice....
ReplyDeletePam, we really needed to have this work done. I'm so glad you've had nice weather as well. We've enjoyed eating on the patio for the last few days. It's always fun to do that when the weather permits. ♥
DeleteWe, too, have enjoyed the respite from the extreme heat. We were even able to have our afternoon meal on the sun porch yesterday. It had been a while since we had been able to do that!
ReplyDeleteI know you miss your large, old tree, but at least you know it was the right thing to do! You were wise to have your trees checked for safety.
August. I can hardly believe it.
Cheryl, I know you must have really enjoyed having your meal on your beautiful sun porch. It's been quite a gift to have this beautiful weather. Let's pretend it's going to last! ♥
DeleteWe have had some nice, cool days here too...
ReplyDeleteAnd it is making me excited!!!
Always enjoy you beautiful photos.
Have a cozy week. : )
Billie Jo, it's exciting to think that autumn is on it's way. I'm sure we have much more summer to enjoy, though. Have a lovely day. ♥
DeleteI whispered a prayer for the spirit of your beautiful oak tree. It will live on in your garden as it nurtures the soil from the chippings that are made.
ReplyDeleteLet's talk butterflies ~ here in The Shire I have seen hardly any, despite purposefully growing butterfly friendly plants. This is worrying indeed.
I hope your cooler days continue, although August can be fickle, teasing us with cool then turning to hot and humid again before she finally settles down.
Wishing you a Wonderful August ahead ~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Oh Deb, we were so sad to have this tree removed. It was the largest and probably the oldest oak on our property. It has always been a part of our yard for all these years.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear your lack of butterflies as well. We have many flowering shrubs and plants that they enjoyed in the past. I miss seeing their beauty. I'm hoping they are just getting a late start. I've made note of this issue in my gardening journal and I will be planting some milkweed next year to try and help them.
Have a lovely week in the Shire, my friend. xoxo ♥
I get so happy when I see honey bees in my yard! My black-eyed-susans are in full bloom now, too. The first zinnia bloomed in my back garden a couple of days ago. I took the seeds from your zinnia flowers last year and planted them in May. I find that they took longer to bloom this year. Not sure why. And there don't seem to be as many coming through, even though I sowed many seeds. But I'm glad some have pulled through. Happy August, dear Martha Ellen. I hope this month brings you much joy. XOXO
ReplyDeleteRosinda, it's wonderful to see all the pollinators in our gardens! Your garden sounds so pretty. My zinnias from you are just beginning to bloom as well. I have two sweet blooms by our mailbox. Mine had a late start as I had to put down more of your seeds later in June. The first planting did not come up. That happens sometimes. Nature always teaches us lessons. Happy August, my Zinnia Sister! XOXO ♥
DeleteWhat a grand tree this is. I'm sorry it had to be cut down, especially since it's over 100 years old. I heard water flows from a tree constantly. Yes, the workers do a fine job. We had some workers in the neighborhood cut trees, and they worked so fast and efficient. What a lovely picture of the bee on the yellow flower. I don't see too many butterflies around here either. I love those purple flowers = the color is stunning.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so nice around your home, and the crepe myrtle is lovely. Happy August, Martha Ellen.
~Sheri
Sheri, the water that was in our tree was causing it to rot from the inside. We're so relieved to have it taken care of before we had major issues. I'm hearing from so many about the lack of butterflies--how odd and concerning this is! Have a wonderful rest of the week, my friend. ♥
DeleteAlthough it is a very hard thing to lose a tree, I'm certain that it was a wise decision, Martha Ellen. You will feel more comfortable during both summer storms and winter storms, knowing that your home is safe from the possibility of a falling tree.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking the very same thing about the pollinators in my garden. Plenty of bees, but not as many butterflies as I remember in years past. I have made so many changes in the garden, but I tried to preserve small patches of each perennial for the butterflies. Do you think they could just be late this summer? Our weather pattern has been so unusual all year long. Let's keep watching closely and hope more butterflies will visit our gardens! Wishing you a wonderful month of August, sweet friend! Relax, enjoy, and make special memories! ♡
Dawn, we are so glad to have our trees taken care of, even the removal of the large oak our old friend...
DeleteI'm hoping that we see more butterflies as August progresses. I did see a swallowtail flitting about the buddleia this morning. I'm starting a butterfly count in my gardening journal. It will be interesting to note what we observe. I hope August brings you joy, my friend! ♥
The tale of your tree is very familiar to me. We also have a huge tree with a very large limb extending out over our bedroom. We had a tree trimmer out, and he was able to get to every limb except that one! In a lightning or wind storm, I move to a different room to sleep. Glad you were able to remove the threatening tree and open up more light to your yard. We have a huge stand of milkweed in our garden, and yet I've not seen more monarchs than usual. I am happy to report that we are seeing a lot of honey bees, however, maybe even more than usual. Have a nice week, Martha Ellen.
ReplyDeleteJudy we really hated to have that old oak removed, but it was best. These tree guys were something else. Maybe if you had someone that had a bucket on his truck he could remove your limb over your bedroom.
DeleteIt's great you have milkweed growing and an abundance of honey bees! I'm sure the bees are loving all of the flowers in your garden. Enjoy your day, my friend. ♥
So pleased the weather has been cooler for you.
ReplyDeleteIt's always sad when a tree has to be cut down but sometimes it is very necessary.
Wishing you a happy month of August, this year is flying by!
All the best Jan
Thank you, sweet Jan. The cooler days are over and we are now back to heat and humidity. I do see that next week will a little cooler, though. I can't believe how quickly this year is passing--quite astonishing! Have a great weekend. ♥
DeleteI do have lots of respect for those tree climbers. We had several trees removed, because we were worried about them falling over. love your photos. The bees are busy. Happy summer.
ReplyDeleteHappy summer to you, Linda. It actually scared me to watch these guys, but they were so careful and quite skilled. We're hoping this will be the last tree business for a while. Have a great weekend. ♥
DeleteOur neighbors had quite a few trees removed and we are having a coupl trees removed in the next two weeks. One is a hemlock and the other a pine. Too many trees and need the light.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the butterflies, not many like in previous years, don't know why. We certainly have had a pick up in Japanese beetles and the crepes have been eaten terribly by them. I see your crepes look great.
Right now I have some tomatotes my daughter brought me to can and will be busy tonight.
betsy
Betsy, I'm sorry to hear those old beetles are still hanging around your crepe myrtles. How great to have tomatoes to can. It has been years since I have done that. It's nothing better than a big juicy tomato! Happy canning. ♥
DeleteI've had a lot of Hummingbird Moths, as well as bees, butterflies, and Goldfinches. I hope our temperatures cool down a bit this weekend. XOXO
ReplyDeleteSusan, that's lovely to hear you have a lot of pollinators in your garden. Next week is supposed to be in the 80's for us--nice change. Have a nice weekend. XOXO
DeleteI know how it feels to take down big mature trees like that since we've had to do it several times. One of the maples we took down was rotting on the inside and would have become a danger to the garage and or house. I was seeing a fair amount of activity with the butterflies but it's died down. I even left some milkweed growing out front this year! There is a fair amount of bee activity and the hummingbirds have been steady visitors.
ReplyDeleteLiz, our back yard now has a lot more morning sun which will be nice for all of our plants. It was sad to take down such an old tree, but it had to be done.
DeleteI'm glad to hear you have pollinators around your place. It's quite worrisome to me that we are lacking them this year. I'm hoping the butterflies will appear later on in the month. ♥