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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1 July 2017

Operation Woodbury View

Tibetan cherry but no view
Woodbury looms into view
Over the years our perfect specimen of a Tibetan cherry (prunus serrula) had grown and grown AND GROWN.  It obscured the entire view of Woodbury Hill.  

For those who enjoy a little history: Woodbury Hill is the furthest point reached by the self claimed Prince of Wales: Owen Glendower (Owain Glyndwr) who, in 1405 brought his army to fight the English before retreating back to Wales. 

For years, we talked about, pondered over, discussed and debated possibilities. Tree or view?  View or tree?

Woodbury Hill & a pollarded Tibetan cherry!

Two years ago, we thinned the crown but it made no difference. Our view had gone. It was a plain choice - tree or view. The choice was so difficult because it was such a fine specimen and such a perfect shape. The view won and because we have planted so many trees in the garden, we consoled ourselves. The decision was made to pollard our precious Tibetan cherry.  Knowing what was on the cards - Chris arrived bright and early and we set to work! As the crown was rediced the sun came out and the hill loomed back into view.

We know we will have to tolerate a tree with no canopy for a while but we can now see over it once again. Its the age old problem of right tree in the wrong place.

Before the clear up
Triumphant Chris!

Having done the pollarding, there was a huge amount of brash on the lawn requiring a massive clear up and poor Chris managed to break a pair of ear defenders but....

Woodbury won the day!



Broken ear defenders.

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