This diseased Ash tree at the paddock edge was belatedly felled yesterday morning. We had problems with it though, as the trunk split as my husband was cutting it. The split went up several feet, so he went off in search of a chain. We came back and re-assessed it from a safe distance. There was an ominous ticking of the crack travelling internally. I was for leaving it and hoping it would reach a point of no return and come down of its own accord, and that's what it did, whilst we were back in the house. Several of the biggest branches have been snapped off, making cutting them up easier, but the main trunk is still going to be a challenge as it's still attached to the split-in-half base . . . I think we will be warmed more than several times over dealing with this chap.
Sorry for the lack of regular blog posts at the moment but I am helping my friend's daughter clear her mother's lovely cottage and that is accounting for two days a week (3 last week).
I want to get on in the garden here but although sunny, it has been perishing cold with a nasty sneaky N (N-E?) wind which is the sort that goes right through you. We even had a frost last night, but after hailstones in the afternoon I had a premonition and brought in the most delicate seedlings and developing seeds (not sprouted) from the Real Seed Company into mum's kitchen, on the warm south-facing windowsill, covered in glass, for extra protection. Just as well, as when I went to check on the green polytunnel this morning, it was stiff with ice! Fortunately the contents are all OK.
Other photos added. No time for words as I am late already. Cats are Miffy and Ghengis who came to help me!
