My yard has been neglected over the past couple of decades. The plants that my wife received as a wedding gift from my brother-in-law have seen many revisions and changes. The original elm trees that graced the Victoria side of our home died and we replaced the three trees with a Silver Maple. The fast-growing tree offered a great deal of shade and after almost 40 years split and was removed. We replaced that marvellous maple tree with two new Ming Cherry trees.
The caragana hedge on the north border of our yard had so many other species of plant life in it that it became unwieldy. A deal on cedar hedging created a new hedge. Until snow did not cover the cedar in winter, the deer did not know it existed. Then began our fight with deer to protect our new cedar hedge. We found a plastic mesh fence held up by steel posts all the way around it that added protection. It kept the deer from eating up the tender cedar shoots. We chose to neglect the hedge. This year we tackled the hedge taking down the fence so that the hedge could be trimmed and the grass and plants growing at the bottom could be removed. We topped the hedge and now it looks great.
Several years ago, our three spruce trees at the back corner of the yard were attacked by insects and died. They too were removed and last year we chose to plant new shrubbery that will grow to almost two meters in height. We were assured that deer would resist them. The deer had not attacked similar shrubs planted elsewhere in the yard. We learned differently as we entered fall last year. The deer would make a midnight stop to pick off the tenderest new shoots and leaves. Our solution was more mesh to keep the deer away.
The new shrubs remain protected, and the cedar hedge will again be protected in the fall.
Through neglect, our flowering crabs and lilac tree have seen significant die-off of branches over time. Equipped with new tools, those dead branches have been removed and the trees are in great condition. Our trees and shrubs are thriving again.
Two years ago, the town tore up the street in front of our home, removing all the trees on the boulevard. In today’s energy efficient world, the trees provided shade in summer against the intense heat we are experiencing this week. They were enjoyed by the homeowners on the street and walking pedestrians.
The boulevard was replanted with sod. We pampered the grass sod with watering and fertilizing. We’ve struggled and all that we must show for it, is a boulevard without any grass, filled with dandelions, thistle, and other vegetation. It has become my latest project, removing those weeds one by one. My back is sore from bending over so many times and my shoulders are sore.
The plans laid out over forty years ago were supposed to only require easy maintenance. Today the maintenance is much more. And I am not as young.
Former publisher
Fort Frances Times
