The green and rolling countryside of Worcestershire, England, is home to the cider apple orchards which surround the gardens of Pear Tree Cottage. They enjoy a sunny south westerly aspect with sweeping views across to Martley Hillside, Woodbury and Abberley clock tower. The Teme Valley lies just over the hill and, not far away, is the Herefordshire border. Although our climate is temperate, our seasons are often uncertain and always a challenge to a gardener! This began in 2010 & follows the weekly ups and downs of garden work chronicling both successes and failures but, above all, demonstrates the fun enjoyed by three people who regularly garden in all weathers
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13 August 2013
Summer Pruning - Carmichael Style!
Ashley discarding a large dead bough
The battery powered cherry picker
Another radical day in the garden! This time pruning the dead growth from 2 aging pear trees. Ashley Carmichael was the hero of the moment. He not only brought over his cherry picker but stayed all day as Chief Pilot and Officer in Charge of discarding very heavy branches (displaying an exceptionally high level of accuracy!) Chris, of course, was also at the helm - working away with with chainsaw in hand and our very own Under Gardener on ground clearance. As Operational Director on the ground, I was the general runabout with an eye on traffic control in the lane and I did manage to take a few shots of the garden from somewhat unusual angles (see link.) It was an amazing little machine and apart from beeping loudly if not 100% level was remarkably quiet as it was powered by batteries. It weighed 3 tons and its boom meant that it had a surprisingly long reach.
Having already lost a large dead branch last week, we no longer live in fear of high winds bringing down further dead boughs. We're hoping that both trees miraculously find a new surge of life but, at their age, I think it highly unlikely. Note the Wild Service tree (Sorbus Torminalis) left of Wol's pear tree planted to replace the dying pear - sniff! Whilst all this was going on, we had 3 lady artists painting in the Herb Garden. Hopefully, when they return next week, things will be a tad quieter and less chaotic!
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