I have just finished this book and enjoyed it although the subject matter isn't easy to read about. It has flashbacks to the Siege of Leningrad in 1941 when Germany invaded Russia and surrounded the city. It's pretty grim reading, told by a survivor, and deals with how it affected her whole life. It made me wonder about the after effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how the citizens of Mariupol (currently under siege) will deal with the trauma they are enduring.
Onto something not so gloomy. I made a significant decision the other day to have the giant Spruce tree in my backyard removed. It provides lovely shade on hot summer days but is very messy with needles, pine cones and twigs scattered everywhere, so it has to go. The arborist who is to remove it says it is "in decline" and I am always worried it will come down in a storm. Also it is too close to the pool so I am hoping it can come down before the pool is opened.
As it has a diameter of more than 12 inches, a permit is required form the City Planning Department so hope that is granted ASAP. I may be required to replace it with another tree that is more appropriate for the location. Stay tuned!
In our small yard here (50x100 ft) we had 22 trees, way to many and the only ones that seemed to be growing well were the poplars and the evergreen stuck right in the middle of the yard. This number does not include various bushes. Well the trees are pretty much gone except for two on the one side of the house. We planted some fruit trees, well spaced to take the place of some of the trees we removed. We never had to ask permission so that is a surprise to me.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I think this has been the case for quite some time here. The arborist did say I could take a chance and not apply for the permit but it would only take one of my tree loving neighbours to complain to the City.....!
DeleteThat is a big tree! What would be a good replacement tree?
ReplyDeleteProbably $100 or more. I haven't really investigated it.
DeleteA while ago some idiots decided it was a good idea to plant native gums close to houses. They grow very quickly and therefore die very early. And drop big branches and fall onto houses (and cars!) during heavy winds. The safest thing is to take them out (and replace with more appropriate if necessary) but if the tree is healthy council will say no and fine you hugely for non-compliance. Then wash their hands when a tree does come down.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a "catch-22" situation. You're damned if you do or if you don't!
DeleteWe also have to apply for a permit here before removing any tree, however, we can take off overhanging branches that can potentially cause damage to a property. We have two huge trees right beside the house and I think they may have to go eventually.
ReplyDeleteI have been chopping it back for years but now it is too much for me to handle.
DeleteFor some reason I found it interesting that you have to get permission to fell a tree and I was wondering if a permit is necessary here too. I checked online and it is the same here in Spain. It seems the only difference here is who you go to to apply for the permit whether your property is urban or rural. Urban to the Town Hall. Rural to Ministry of Environment. I am sure you wanted to know this useless bit of information Chris! I can't think why I felt the need to look it up as I have no garden and therefore no trees to fell... LOL! keep well. Amanda x
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to find out how things work in other jurisdictions.
DeleteFingers crossed for the permit - I can see why you want it gone. xx
ReplyDeleteI imagine when it was planted, no one envisioned it growing so tall! I already had one removed from another corner (no permit required that time) as it had even longer needles. It was a Pine.
DeleteThat is a big & difficult decision. We went through that type of decision making last year when we had two maples removed. Turns out, a good decision, both our trees were beginning to rot in the middle. Fingers crossed no red tape at city hall for you.
ReplyDeleteIt has taken me a while to realize it had to go as it does provide shade in the yard.
DeleteWe also need a permit to fell a tree, Hubby had one taken down about three years ago. The diameter had to be measured and samples of the bark etc had to be taken. A lot of work in my opinion as it was dying anyway and also on our property.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind replacing it with something smaller. It's just too big for my small back yard.
DeleteI have enjoyed several Kristin Hannah books, but that one sounds a little too depressing for me. Good luck on the tree removal. We don't need permits here, but the tree companies are expensive and in short supply. Trees that have been damaged by a storm are especially costly. They assume you are filing for reimbursement from insurance and they don't mind sticking it to the insurance companies.
ReplyDeleteHow devious! I am going to try another book by her.
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