An update on my tree situation.

[Blue_In_AK]

Many of you may remember my tree trauma last summer, when the "trimmers" for the power company right-of-way destroyed our very old and beautiful Mayday tree. Without going into the whole story again, I just wanted to let those of you who cared know that Carlos Tree Service is extremely grateful we didn't sue and has begun the restoration today by pulling out the old stump. We should have the new Japanese lilacs in by next week. My husband will have to rebuild our retaining wall, and some of my flowers obviously have bit the dust, but these were all perennials so I should be able to divide up existing plants to fix the damage.

Before:

[IMG][/IMG]

After the "pruning" (i.e., tree murder)

[IMG][/IMG]

Today:

[IMG][/IMG]



Again, thank you to everyone who "felt my pain." I think it's going to be all right. I'll post another pic when the new trees are in.

[elleng]

1. HAPPY to hear they're moving on this.

Have been wondering.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Thanks, Ellen

We were told we were top on their list. The foreman who oversaw the job last fall has been fired. I felt kind of bad about him losing his job, but the excavator told us today that there had been many other problems with the guy (thus, their "list&quot and it wasn't just our situation that got him canned, so I don't feel so bad. These new trees will only get to about 20-25 feet max, so there should be no more issues with the power lines.

[elleng]

3. Good to hear; I understand.

Was your old tree Japanese Lilac? SO beautiful! Haven't heard of them.

[Blue_In_AK]

4. No, it was a Mayday tree,

which is something like a chokecherry. I really missed it this winter because in years past the Bohemian waxwing flocks would come around at Christmastime to feast on the berries. I didn't see a single one of those birds this year.

They tell me these Japanese lilacs will be very beautiful, though, with wonderful fragrance, so I'm sure in the long run, all will be fine.



Google's got a bunch of nice pictures of Japanese lilacs. http://www.google.com/search?q=japanese+lilac+tree&hl=en&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS465US468&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Bca-T_jMBcOviALWx7yRCA&ved=0CHUQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=751 They look quite a bit like my Mayday tree, just not as big. The tree people are going to plant three of them in a group.

[Voice for Peace]

6. it's really heartbreaking to lose a tree

especially before its time... glad you will have new beauties there.

[Suich]

7. I love the Japanese lilacs!

I don't know if I've ever seen them before.

Looks like a good choice to replace the Mayday tree!

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. yay! Trees rock!!!

[onlyadream]

8. I remember

And, boy, was that upsetting. Good to hear that they're trying to make it right. I hope you like your new trees.

[pnwmom]

9. Thanks for the update. I'm glad they're moving forward. n/t

[LittleGirl]

10. Thanks for the update.I was thinking about that tree just this week.

I saw butchered trees from the power company and thought of you. I know it will never replace that beautiful tree and I'm glad that they are replacing it finally. Well, at least filling in the bare spot. What took them so long? A year!

[Blue_In_AK]

13. Basically what took them so long

was 11 feet of snow. We had a record-breaking year, 134.5 inches. They could have planted in the fall but thought the trees would have a better chance in the spring.

[LittleGirl]

18. 11 feet! Wow

I think that was a good delay. I hope you post the photo of the new ones!

[Booster]

11. I remember. I almost cried when I saw what they had done to your tree. Glad to hear you're getting

new trees that won't interfere with the lines. Please post a pic when they are in. Maybe the new trees will attract hummingbirds.

[Honeycombe8]

12. Wow. I missed that last year. What a beautiful tree they murdered. Glad they are at least

doing something to try to make things right. But there's still the loss of your pretty tree. How sad.

I moved into a house 17 years ago. It had no good trees, so I planted some. People don't realize the value of a mature tree until they don't have one. It's not like you can just go out and buy a mature tree. It takes a lot of time for a tree to grow.

[LiberalAndProud]

14. I'm looking forward to your next update.

I hope the Japanese lilacs thrive.

The guy who got fired should have been. He was very not good at his job. He could have taken the business down, and I'm sure there are other wage earners who are glad he didn't manage that. I hope he finds a job he is better suited for. And you are amazing, not holding a grudge and all. I don't think I could be so gracious in the same circumstances.

[roguevalley]

15. That tree stump makes me ill. Good for

you to get another. I am still mourning your other tree, Blue.

[Arctic Dave]

16. I'm glad to hear they are making it right.

[mahina]

17. Heartbreaking actually

I'll look forward to future posts with new life.

Aloha.

[malaise]

19. I remember the murder of your tree as if it were yesterday

That was a beautiful tree - hope the new ones do as well.

[Odin2005]

20. Thanks for the update!

[irisblue]

21. holy cow!

geez louise ...tree murder indeed. amazing you are getting replacements.
serious question.....power lines can be under ground, like cable/water/gas. if electric were buried, 1- public work 2- less likely to go out in a storm.

[Blue_In_AK]

22. I totally agree with you about underground lines,

and, in fact, they have buried some along the main street on this end of town. I don't know if they have plans for the neighborhoods in the future.

[ceile]

23. Still makes me sad.

But I'm sure the lilacs will be beautiful.