But gum trees are notorious for dropping branches without warning, and each time we have a storm or a big wind, I've worried that the branch that overhangs the house might fall on it.
Yesterday I had a tree man come to talk about removing a fig tree from the back garden. Don't get me wrong — I adore figs and if this tree ever produced an edible fig it'd be the most pampered tree in the garden, but it doesn't. The figs are always dry and inedible, so I've finally given up on it and it's being removed right this minute.
Anyway I asked the tree man about the gum tree — I was worried he'd say the best thing was to chip it down, but he said "Yep, we can prune back the overhanging branches and it'll be fine." So yay, I have a bad fig tree gone, and a newly pruned gum tree, so the lorikeets will stay happy and the possum will still have a home.
And if you ask me, tree men are heroes.
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So glad you can keep your gum, Anne. From the photo it looks like a big 'un! Part of the pleasure of native trees and shrubs is that they attract the birds. When we came here we only had doves and sparrows. After planting natives we have rainbow lorikeets, honeyeaters and silver eyes all over the place. Such a joy.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a biggie, Louise. And I recently thanked a former local councillor for the native tree-planting program in my local area that has resulted in an influx of gorgeous native birds. The rainbow lorikeets are my faves, but I'm fond of all of them, really. I saw some dear little blue wrens hopping about this morning.
DeleteI loved climbing trees as a child. I bet these men enjoy their job! Congratulations on being able to keep such a wonderful tree. You'll rest easier when the next storm comes.
ReplyDeleteHelena, me too. I was often up a tree as a child, and loved nothing more that to sit up high and gaze out over the tree tops. It was a great relief to me when the tree man said I could keep the tree — I'd been dreading him saying it needed to go. These guys were lovely and yep, I'm sure they enjoy what they do.
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