Another photo from my wander along Edgware Road the other day. I love these stately old blocks of flats on a side street. I looked them up on Zoopla just now and they are quite swank -- one sold for £2.25 million a year ago, and another (slightly smaller) for £1.5 million the previous November. They're pretty big, too -- four bedrooms!
I woke to some possibly unwelcome news this morning. I say possibly because I'm still weighing what it will mean. The tree surgeon has been instructed to remove our fallen limb and cut the rest of the elder tree down to 20 feet (which is about as tall as it is already, I think) as well as to cut the ivy so that it dies in the upper parts of both trees. I'm happy with the limb removal but I hate to have all that dead ivy hanging there. I hope the tree guy can remove some of it so it's not so unsightly. Or maybe that will be left up to me.
On the bright side, I guess any squirrels or birds with nests in that ivy can continue to live there, unless the fact that it's dead puts them off.
I'm not going to fight it too much, but I may ask a few questions.
That does seem odd instructions...a few questions are definitely in order
ReplyDeleteI suppose cutting the ivy to kill it will prevent rhe weight of it causing the tree to fall. We had to do that on one of our very large trees. P did manage to cut away most of the dead stuff after it had turned to sticks but it was not an easy task.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that Ivy has a mission to take over the world...wherever you go trees are smothered in it! I am sure it wasn't like that in my childhood.
ReplyDeleteProperty prices in desirable areas in London are insane.
ReplyDeleteBest I think, is to not allow ivy to climb trees.
That is the recognised way to deal with ivy, either when it is climbing trees or buildings. By cutting it off at ground level it will die off slowly and cause less damage. Hopefully, it won't look too bad as it withers away and as you say little creatures will have time to 'move house'.
ReplyDeleteHe who pays the piper calls the tune and when it comes to the tree surgery you are not paying the piper, you are just the triangle player.
ReplyDeleteThat does suck about the ivy. That building is beautiful and stately. I’d love to see the apartments.
ReplyDeleteIf you enter your e-mail address on Zoopla (linked in my post) you can see them!
DeleteWe've got an invasion of a grapevine looking vine that is all the way up to the top of several oak trees and if we don't get rid of it, those trees are going to eventually die. So I'm in the get-rid-of-the-ivy camp. But your ivy may be more well-behaved.
DeleteI'd ask that as long as they are up on the ladder, they pull as much as they can. Who knows if they will but it's worth a shot. Pity about the ivy though.
ReplyDeleteSo after cutting it back, will the tree be alive? And was the ivy killing the tree, branch by branch?
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful building. I'll be checking the couch cushions for spare change to see if I can afford a flat there!
ReplyDeleteIvy is a rapacious plant, once it gets hold of walls and trees. It's an endless task keeping it in bounds.
ReplyDeleteI have cut ivy vines of the poison variety growing up into trees. The ugliness is usually short lived in the spring, at least for the versions I've dealt with. The ivy generally doesn't have enough body to it so it will wilt back pretty quick and the green of the tree will hide it. By the following spring, you won't notice a thing.
ReplyDeleteOnly 1.5 Mill , Shoot , Lets Buy Two Flats - Yahoooo00000
ReplyDeleteI love the look of that building but I have to admit, the prices you mention are a bit shocking. I just can't wrap my head around the prices of real estate these days. The building does have a very stately look.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the tree situation.
It will be good to get rid of the fallen branch. Removing the entire tree seems extreme. If possible, they usually try to save the tree. Ivy can destroy a tree. This is the only reason I can see causing the recommendation to remove the ivy.
ReplyDeleteThose flats are amazing. Such a stately building!
Looking after trees and larger plants and shrubs is a challenge. The are huge and make a big difference.
ReplyDeleteBy cutting the elder down to 20' does that mean he's going to top it? Once the ivy dies the wind will probably take care of the leaves. You may be getting more sun in your back garden.
ReplyDeleteI think you worry too much about that tree. The tree surgeons will do their best and the tree will be healthier without the ivy strangling it. Your garden is lovely, Steve.
ReplyDeleteCondos in Vancouver are expensive like London. It's ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI hope the tree trimming goes well.
I love real estate listings that let us look inside houses. I'm a very curious type! I'll be interested to see what they actually do with the tree; it sounds confusing.
ReplyDeleteI bet those apartments are gorgeous inside!
ReplyDelete