A week ago, I couldn’t have imagined I’d be writing this blog. But yesterday afternoon the winds really picked up and a gardening disaster struck. The far left tree in my line of five Catalpa trees became immensely damaged. The breeze caught its leaves, wrenching a whole third of the tree from the trunk!
Can’t see any images – then click here: Gardening Disaster – Will this Catalpa Recover?
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it! I was deadheading my Little White Pet rose when it must have happened. There wasn’t a noisy cracking sound or anything, but when I turned around it had happened.
So I hope you’ll forgive me, but as I sit down to write, I don’t have the heart to write about cuttings or sowing seeds as I’m simply processing the shock of this gardening disaster.
Why it Matters
Obviously every tree is a precious thing. But the reason why losing one of these trees is such a big deal is that the trees work as a combined unit. The line of five, with 10 Annabelle hydrangeas beneath them, create a wonderful division between the front and back end of this bit of the garden.
I originally planted them to screen an ugly eysore, in our case a cricket net we had in the garden for the kids. We no longer have the net but the line of trees still divide the garden nicely.
Also the trees are a specific type. They’re Catalpa bignonioides ‘nana’. They have a very structured canopy which creates a lovely umbrella effect, with the tops merging into one continuous line. With the far left tree’s canopy so severely damaged it’s heard to imagine how the tree can possibly regain that shape.
Lastly, the trees provide all-important shade to the hydrangeas below them. Hydrangeas like dappled shade. The two nestling beneath the damaged far left tree are will not have the sun protection they’re used to. I can’t help but worry that they will suffer as a result. Not staying as fresh as their eight other counterparts.
What Next?
We’ve removed the damaged section. And I’m going to pause and reflect. I’m going to get in a tree specialist, to advise on whether the tree is likely to survive. Will the tiny twig-like inner branches which are now exposed ever really grow to fill out the shape? I’m also going to ask them to review the other trees. Perhaps we should be reducing some of their canopies to prevent this problem happening elsewhere. I’m terrified as the winds are still blowing quite a lot!
Once I’ve got that advice, I’ll decide what to do. I’m tempted to leave the tree to see how it recovers and what shape it creates. But I may have to remove it completely. This throws up other questions.
Will the arc of trees still work with only four of them? My design instinct prefers an odd number of trees, but I may have to suppress that.
If we remove the damaged tree, what should we do with the hydrangeas beneath? Leave them there? Will that look odd? How do I make them look like they belong and nothing’s missing?
If the tree is removed can I turn this gardening disaster into an opportunity? It’s hard to imagine, but can I?
How to Cheer Myself Up Following the Gardening Disaster
That’s all for the future. For now I’m licking my gardening wounds the only way I know how. No, I’m not hitting the gin bottle – though I had a serious G&T last night I can tell you!
I’m going to head outside and do something positive.
- Sow some seeds – I’ve just been very kindly sent some lavender seeds.
- Move some Achillea Moonshine which are in a bed that’s in way too much shade. I’m going to put them in a pot in a really sunny spot. I know now is not the ideal time to disturb them but my gut instinct tells me the injection of sun will outweigh the discomfort of them being disturbed.
- Give my poor old roses a feed of tonic. I’m determined to get them into better shape.
- Weed my driveway – while listening to a good audiobook. Believe it or not I find this task very soothing.
- Tidy my pots – moving a few things into larger containers.
My poor old garden and I both need some TLC – and gardening is the way to get it.
Onwards and shakily upwards. Happy, slightly emotional gardening – x
(I’ll finish with one of my favourite images of my trees as they were…in sunnier times.)
Ouch. I definitely would have needed more than one gin and tonic after that. I truly feel for you. I know from reading your posts how important the effect of those trees in a line was to you. I am very sorry. As you said, best not to make any rash decisions. Call in the experts, try to simmer down and process it all. With luck, you’ll be told the tree is still healthy and well and, over time, will regain its shape. Though I’m not so sure. I had storm damage to a large shrub years ago and it still looks imbalanced to me, like a big branch is missing just exactly where one snapped off. I do believe you are in some ways lucky it was a tree on the end. It gives you more options. I too think the line of five trees is nicer than four but surely the whole thing would look even worse right now with the damage dead set in the middle. If it is a fast growing tree (?) and the damaged tree doesn’t stand good chances of survival, you might want to consider replacing it with the largest Catalpa you can afford. Fall is coming up so you could have it in the ground in just a few months. Do think it over though and make sure there’s nothing about the design which makes such damage likely to happen again. Would be a pity for both you and the tree. Hang in there.
Thank you Jill…such good advice
Gardening is transition and opportunity. Nature isn’t straight lines. Loosen up. Nature is trying to tell you to be more flexible. You can enjoy a fluffy garden without human preconceptions of rigidity. Your garden says you need more sun in this area. Embrace the warmth of that sun. You are not in a drought or running 6 inches in front of a machete like so many refugees all over the world. You have a first world problem. I had a pot up a street full of 6 foot hydrangeas a year ago when my neighbor doubled the size of his house. It was a lot of work and they and I am still not recovered and a few didn’t make it but the strongest are still here and we persevere. A deer ate everything that was blooming and lots of stuff that wasn’t this year. I think she has moved on to another salad bar but she might come back. The plants are perennial and she didn’t eat the roots so they will return to bloom next year. At 73 I have learned to appreciate what we have while we have it. You have photos of how your garden was. Transition to what it will be. The Dali Lama is a gardener. He would not be in mourning for a tree who chose a different path. He would breathe and appreciate the living breath we have and move on to the future garden waiting for you. Your garden is trying to send you a message. Put down the gin and audio books and listen. ♥️♥️♥️I love your work and can’t wait to see what you do next. I truly was distraught 😭 by the deer but if you are not holding the menu you might be on the menu. Right now it is terrible heat and humidity and no rain. That is a gardener life. Always a new challenge.
All the best,
Margaret Tobin 🌻👩🌾🌻
Margaret such wise words. You are of course right, and I’m blessed with what I have. A damaged tree is not a real problem in the scheme of things and certainly doesn’t compare to the real hardships so many people face. It’s an enforced change that I should and will learn to embrace x
🤣I have limited internet access and the photos didn’t come through now that I have seen what happened it is just a broken branch. That will all fill out. I have a small property with actual TREES. Two limbs of a 200 year old swamp maple broke and fell, one in the neighbors driveway and one on a car in mine. The neighbor is a volunteer firefighter with a chainsaw and he just cut the limbs into pieces and moved them out of the path of his car. It would have been thousands of dollars for me to have someone do that. He also mows my grass when he mows his. He is a saint. His wife says he loves to mow. 🤣😊T swamp maple is hollowed out and squirrels live inside. I have seen documentary footage of ancient trees in Japan and they have ladders INSIDE THE TREE and arborists climb up and do work from inside. Amazing. So I don’t spend much time worrying about the remaining limbs of the tree. None are close enough to fall on the house. The car was destined for recycling. The downed limbs have provided habitat for the birds and squirrels 🐿️ by next year you won’t notice that the limb broke off. Have a cup of tea and enjoy weeding. I finally got a rainy day so I will be cleaning up in the basement.
All the best and thanks for the photos. Your garden continues to be beautiful.
Margaret Tobin 🌻👩🌾🌻
Thank you for sharing the informative article.