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Thursday, December 18, 2014

{5 Giant Oak Trees got a 'Hair Cut'}

We needed to give 5 of our Giant Oak Trees a 'Hair Cut', so it happened on November 6, just the day after I took their photos to show the before and after.
Our Giant along the driveway on November 5, showing the maple trees in the back with some fall color.
When mowing the lawn on the John Deere, low hanging branches are a problem too!
We really love this majestic, old oak tree.
Photo from December 14, clearly you can see that the lower branches are gone!
You also can see that the under brush in our wood garden has been totally cleared.
This is our broadest oak of all we got; it also is semi evergreen!
Those low hanging branches are gone now, photo from December 14.
The low hanging branches prevented the waterlilies from growing in the pond because of the shaded area.
This giant oak is near the gazebo and was touching the Japanese Magnolia to the left and a dogwood tree to the right; which light branches you can see in this photo.
Seen from the other side of the gazebo it looks a lot more open now for other trees to breath again!
This too is semi-evergreen as seen on this December 14 photo.
Between our property and the neighbors, we have another Giant Oak...
This one had kind of weeping branches, touching over the picket fence all the way down.
Also suffocating the Japanese Magnolia that is visible to the left of the lantern.
Impossible to capture it entirely...
Photo from December 14, and almost bare. The Japanese Magnolia to the left is happy with those lowest branches being removed!
This was the main problem... Our Quercus Virginiana or Live Oak, which was touching the chimney when it was windy and hanging over the balcony...
Photo taken on December 14, and you can see how much has been cut off here!
This photo I took from the balcony, on November 5th.
Photo from December 14, our balcony is free now!
One big reason was this!
The sap from the catkins and leaves (yes, those evergreen trees also do shed!) caused this staining on our balcony's Polyurethane ballustrade...
We love the shade from our giant trees but not the mess!
See two of our felines underneath the tree?
Soles Tree Service did an excellent job!
We're all set for the coming years and hopefully the balcony stays clean(er) as well.
Do you have any Giant Oak Trees or others, that need 'Hair Cuts'?

Related link:
{Black Gum Nyssa Sylvatica Cut Down} | about tree that got cut down in front of the house on the same day.
{65 Year Old Pine Tree Cut Down} | previous post by me from December 2013
{Our Live Oak got a Haircut} | previous post by me

40 comments:

  1. i have trimmed up the lower limbs from our yard oaks, too - just so i'll stop banging my head into them as i walk or ride the mower. there is one in the field just off the driveway that i leave as wild and low as it wants to go. :)

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    1. Dearest Theresa,
      After two decades one has too trim them up!
      Spring will look different next year and we have again a view of our gazebo and pond area.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  2. Hello Mariette, Many people think that trees just grow, but in truth they have to be managed, especially those in a yard which must support other activities. Also, as the years go by, trees slowly grow and fill in, blocking out views, trapping moisture, or causing other problems such as the falling sap you experienced. Fruit trees, especially, have en entire host of special pruning issues.
    --Jim

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    1. Dearest Jim,
      You are so right about that! They need to be guided, supported and trimmed accordingly.
      Fruit trees here in the south are almost too complicated so we have none left...
      Thanks for your visit and always thoughtful comments!
      Kindest regards,
      Mariette

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  3. Dearest Mariette,
    You guys take such good care of your home and your trees. It is nice to have the trees get a trim. They will get healthier too. Also your Gazebo, your Japanese Magnolias and your balcony have been protected too.
    We had two Willows that had their roots going in our drain system and it was flooding the garage. So we had to take them down. Alas!

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    1. Dearest Munir,
      Yes, huge trees can cause a variety of problems and we have to take care of them. Not always avoidable ahead of time but we learn.
      Glad you got your drain system problem resolved in a rigorous way by taking those Willows down. No choice at times...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  4. Deaest Mariette,
    yes, trees sometimes need a haircut, good, you had such great helpers!
    We do not have that big trees here, but our appletree needs a haircut soon ;O)
    Sending Love and hugs and belssings for y lovely Christmas time!
    Claudia xo

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    1. Dearest Claudia,
      Such Giant Trees can only be tackled by a professional and certified arborist. Too risky for trying to do that yourself, aside from not having the equipment.
      Fruit trees you can trim up yourself, they are not as tall!
      Enjoy the Advent season that is speeding up to Christmas - next week (oh my!).
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  5. Liebe Mariette,
    wundervolle grosse Bäume habt ihr. Das hie und da mancher mal zum Friseur muss ist unumgänglich. Vorallem da wo sich viele davon berühren oder andere Pflanzen Licht brauchen.
    Ihr wohnt wie schon erwähnt herrlich.
    Danke auch für dein an mich denken am 15ten. ♥

    Herzliche Grüessli
    Julia

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    1. Liebe Julia,
      Danke, und ja es ist wirklich unumgänglich aber wird unsere Zeit nun wohl dauern. Wir haben hier schon 24 Jahre gewohnt, also so oft braucht man so etwas nicht zu tun.
      Es ist wichtig ja das andere Bäume und Pflanzen noch Licht bekommen!
      Ganz liebe Grüsse und ja, ich verstehe deinem ♥ am 15ten.
      Alles Gute und Liebe,
      Mariette

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  6. Liebe Mariette,

    es schenkt immer wieder Freude, dich zu besuchen.
    Alles Liebe
    Elisabeth

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    1. Liebe Elisabeth,
      Danke und es tut uns gut zu wissen das du die Besuche schätzt!
      Liebe Grüsse,
      Mariette

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  7. Liebe Mariette,

    oh je, 6 Bäume zu beschneiden, das ist ganz schön teuer, zumindest hier in Deutschland. Wir haben eine sehr alte riesige Kastanie, die etwa so dicht zu unserem Haus steht, wie eure Eiche, die den Schornstein und den Balkon berührt hat. Sie musste in diesem Jahr auch beschnitten werden. Zum Haus hin sind bei ihr schon vor langer Zeit alle dicken Äste gekappt worden. Leider sieht sie dadurch nicht so majestätisch aus, wie alte Bäume sonst aussehen. Aber Sicherheit geht nun einmal vor. Wir lieben unsere Kastanie sehr, obwohl sie für den winzigen Garten viel zu groß ist.
    Ich wünsche dir einen wunderbaren Tag
    Elvira

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    1. Liebe Elvira,
      Oh, ja es ist sehr teuer, auch hier aber man hat ja keine Wahl, ist auch gefähliche Arbeit und die haben alle Werkzeuge dafür. Alte Bäume können eigentlich nur majestätisch aussehen wenn sie dazu den Raum haben. Aber den Kopf zerkratzen beim mähen oder das im Teich alle Wasserlilien im Schatten wegbleiben ist auch nichts. Es musste einfach sein!
      Ganz liebe Grüsse,
      Mariette

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  8. Nou je bent weer even klaar voor een tijdje, nu maar hopen dat ze niet weer harder gaan groeien.

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    1. Beste Marianne,
      Ja, voor de komende decennia zijn we zeker klaar. Richting hemel mogen zo ver reiken als ze willen maar wat eraf is blijft weg!
      Liefs,
      Mariette

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  9. Dearest Mariette; Oh My, 'Hair Cut' for big trees, but as you said shade and sap etc must be the trouble. I am happy especially your Japanese Magnolias was kind of taken care of by oak tree had the trimming. I thought I cannot complain hard to do the weeding :-)
    Well, one of my close neighbor's overgrown Chinese junipe is blocking the view for cars at the curve.
    I always love to see the gorgeous green in your garden♡♡♡

    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

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    1. Dearest Miyako,
      Indeed, a hair cut for big trees but it was necessary. Our Japanese Magnolias had been 'begging' us for years to give them space and above all; light!
      Oh, in your tiny garden the weeding and also the pruning of lower scale trees and shrubs is an easy task compared to this.
      We also have one corner in our street where huge azaleas around a tree are blocking the view at the crossing; dangerous and NOT correct... poor courtesy to others and a safety obstruction.
      Glad you enjoyed our garden, so do we!
      Hugs and love from your American friend.
      Mariette

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  10. My goodness! Do I know about tree-felling! We have thousands oh american oaks on our property!!
    You were wise to get rid of the lower branches, I believe even the trees will feel more vigorous :)
    Still, it must feel somewhat more naked now but you will quickly get use to it!
    Keep well, dear Mariette, and enjoy this last week before Xmas!

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    1. Dearest Noushka,
      Glad you also have quite some experience with this and sure, the trees themselves do benefit from such a rigorous trimming. For the winter period, the deciduous trees that did shed completely, look indeed a bit naked but come spring, that will soon be covered up nicely!
      Thank you dear and you too, stay healthy and well during this special season; even if family is far away but close at heart!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  11. Cara Mariette,mi hai ricordato che dovrei far sfoltire i pini che ho davanti a casa..troppo grandi e stanno rovinando tutto!
    Un abbraccio dall'Italia♥
    Anna

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    1. Cara Anna,
      In un grande giardino c'è sempre tanto da fare e grandi alberi dovete diradato!
      Migliori auguri e godetevi il vostro periodo di Avvento finale e un Natale glorioso con la tua famiglia.
      Un abbraccio forte,
      Mariette

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  12. Liebe Mariette,
    was für wundervolle Bäume habt Ihr in Eurem Garten, sie sind eine wahre Pracht! Ja, ab und zu müssen sie mal gestutzt werden und Ihr habt wieder Licht im Garten.

    Euch eine schöne Vorweihnachtszeit
    mit lieben Grüße aus dem Drosselgarten
    von Traudi

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    1. Liebe Traudi,
      Danke, sie sind wirklich majestätisch aber wie du schreibst, wir haben wieder Licht im Garten und auch das Haus frei von berührenden Äste im Wind.
      Ihr alle auch eine recht schöne Vorweihnachtszeit!
      Ganz liebe Grüsse,
      Mariette

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  13. Well did the branches of the trees are cut. You now have more sun, and you had purely on the terrace. Regards.

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    1. Dearest Giga,
      Indeed, it looks very well with the trimmed up branches now and other plants get sun light and we a cleaner balcony!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  14. Dear Mariette,wow,such huge trees!
    We have olive trees and lemon trees in our yard!
    My hubby does the hair cat on the trees!
    Have a cozy and warm evening!Hugs!
    Dimi...

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    1. Dearest Dimi,
      Yes, over 24 years since we live here, they have grown up into GIANTS! At least lemon trees are not reaching such a height, and guess olive trees stay also lower. Those 'hair cuts' are quite an annual job too.
      It was again a lovely, sunny day here!
      Hugs to you,
      Mariette

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  15. Querida Marietta querida ! Que árboles año dos más espectaculares , tan frondosos y verdes

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    1. Dearest Angélica,
      They will all look even better in the spring!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  16. Reading this made me think of the time many years ago we complained about low hanging branches on the tree in the corner of our back yard the Dept. of Housing (who we rent through) sent someone to cut them back the idiots removed the whole bloody tree

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    1. Dearest Jo-Anne,
      Oh my goodness what a mishap! They truly must have been idiots for killing the whole tree.
      Once gone, that's it. No more shade...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  17. Deareat Mariette,
    Oh my goodness! Glant Oak tree ha hair cut it happened on glant Oak trees.Your shouing the maple trees. The john Deere low hanging branchees are problem too.your wood garden has been totally cloared.
    I was very sorry for your garden please not same as happen again.....a long time.
    Hugs and lots of Love !
    Michiko

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    1. Dearest Michiko,
      Yes, after this rigorous trimming of the lower branches the ride on the John Deere will go without problems and also the other, smaller trees have light again.
      Sending you lots of hugs and love,
      Mariette

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  18. Wow, that's a lot of hair cutting! Our townhouse has only one car garage, and since I always come home after my husband, my car is parked on the driveway, which is under two big trees. My car gets lot of sap! So I feel extra happy for your balcony to have no more mess :-)

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    1. Dearest Tamago,
      So you too know how hard it is to clean a car or like for us, to clean the balcony after tree-sap has stained it! We feel good about it and hope you too could solve the problem...
      Sending you hugs,
      Mariette

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  19. Complimenti hai un parco bellissimo buona domenica

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    1. Cara Donatella,
      Grazie e anche tutti voi in buon Capodanno!
      Baci,
      Mariette

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  20. Olá amiga...Feliz ano novo!
    Seguimos nossa caminhada na construção de um mundo mais justo, fraterno, humano, harmonioso e de doação.
    Todos somos promotores da Paz...que começa em nossos corações e se estende a tudo que nos rodeia!!!
    Obrigada por fazer parte da minha história de vida!
    UM ABENÇOADO 2015!!!!

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    1. Dearest Marie,
      Thank you and wishing you also the very best for 2015 in peace and in good health.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...