I’ve been planning this post for months, and for some reason never got around to sharing it!
However, what better time to do so than during National Tree Week.
National Tree Week is when we in Ireland celebrate our trees, something we should probably have thought about doing a long time ago. Only 11% of this island is planted with trees, compared to an average of 40% in the rest of Europe.
A mix of trees line our driveway
One of the things that sold this house to us in the first place was the trees. We are so lucky to have such beautiful trees around the house. The Grandad of the previous owners was very forward thinking for his day, and planted lots of trees. We have no photographs of how the house looked, but have been told there was an arbour at the back of the house, and that there was lots of bamboo planted on the southern side to protect from the wind.
My favourite tree… a lovely cool place to have a swing in hot weather 🙂
We have continued the tradition planting trees every year…. and boy were we glad that we have been doing so this winter, as so far we’ve lost 6 rowan trees, our last crab apple tree and a really old plum tree. We weren’t the only ones that lost trees in the area… the wonderful poplar in the grounds of Birr Castle that had been nominated for European Tree of the Year succumbed to the weather too.
This Linden Tree we’ve had to have pollarded. There is a huge split in the trunk, but hopefully if we can continue to have it pollarded regularly it will last for a good few years. It is a beauty.
Last year we took part in the Plant a Million Trees in a Day initiative….and hope to do so again this year.
The view from my kitchen sink 🙂
We all need to cherish our trees. They are such an integral and critical part of the eco system, without trees we are nothing. They are our lungs.
Do you have a favourite tree?
I do love a big spreading horse chestnut full of glossy conkers. Sadly, a lot of the ones round here have a disease and look pretty manky much of the year 😦
We have 2 horse chestnuts that (fingers & toes crossed) have survived well. I love them! I’ve often wondered how come some have white and others have pink flowers?
I’m a total tree nut and would find it hard to choose a favourite. Whenever we’re in the car I’m always oohing and aahing, pointing one tree out or other. I share this love with my brother who is currently studying forestry and about to leave here for Iceland on a work placement. You’re very lucky to have such beautiful trees beside your house : )
Oh lord I am so jealous of your brother… I spent time in Iceland with friends of my Mum’s …. it is such a beautiful country and such beautiful people …. he is going to love it.
M
Oh thank you for that Margaret, nothing like hearing from someone who knows first hand what it’s like. I’ll pass it on, to my mum mainly : )
We actually cut down a few trees around our house when we bought it. They were evergreens, taller than the house and only about 12 feet away, so they really overshadowed the little house and had to go. I love trees, though, and plan to plant many more in their place and around the garden. I like the idea of building on the trees little by little over time. Sorry you lost some trees – it’s awful to see them go. They become like part of the furniture. Seems like you have lots of others to continue to enjoy, at least.
Thank you, June…. and today we got a delivery (for sharing) of trees as part of the Plant One Million Trees in a Day… which takes place on Saturday!
I have a linden tree, too!
I love ours… it used to be twice as big, but we unfortunately had to have it cut back.
M