The arborist I hired to look at the maple tree and the black oak was here on time this morning at 9. The thing I was concerned about regards the maple was, the leaves have been falling, still green of course, for 2 months now. Quite a coating of them on the ground. Sure enough, the maple has a disease. I noticed a huge plaque of orange fungi on the side of it 3 years ago. That was a dead giveaway. The pronouncement was Hypoxylon Canker. He used his pick and the disease has made terrible inroads. The tree will have to come down. The loss will hurt our hearts as it is a favorite of ours and it will be terribly expensive as it is in the so-called City Right of Way, meaning the electric lines are next to and the branches have grown through the lines.
The Black Oak has Phytophora fungal infection..just getting started. It can be treated however with Agriphos and Pentia bark.. These are gigantic trees in tallness. Sigh.
The squirrels caused great consternation to Miss Catt a few days ago. I rose up from here to see what all the noise was about. Right on the other side of the glass storm door where she lays to watch goings on outside, a squirrel had come within 2 inches of her, hence her getting in the fighting mode, and was stealing off long segments of one of my Christmas cactus’s. There very one that had bloomed in July you may remember. So, I have had to bring the cactus into the house 2 months early to stop the attack on it. It is very very old. I want to keep it. There are several other succulents outside including "Mother’s cactus" the Stapelia I have written of several times. Sigh.
While standing out there talking to the arborist, the mosquitoes about picked both he and I up and flew away with us. I have a zillion bites. I went out half an hour ago after lunch (bing cherries!!) and refilled the bird feeder. A zillion more bites. Man, they do itch horribly. I used anti itch cream..no good. These are East Tennessee mosquitoes. Nothing conquers them.
Let’s see if I can show you at least, the maple. These were taken before Spring.
The Black Oak has Phytophora fungal infection..just getting started. It can be treated however with Agriphos and Pentia bark.. These are gigantic trees in tallness. Sigh.
The squirrels caused great consternation to Miss Catt a few days ago. I rose up from here to see what all the noise was about. Right on the other side of the glass storm door where she lays to watch goings on outside, a squirrel had come within 2 inches of her, hence her getting in the fighting mode, and was stealing off long segments of one of my Christmas cactus’s. There very one that had bloomed in July you may remember. So, I have had to bring the cactus into the house 2 months early to stop the attack on it. It is very very old. I want to keep it. There are several other succulents outside including "Mother’s cactus" the Stapelia I have written of several times. Sigh.
While standing out there talking to the arborist, the mosquitoes about picked both he and I up and flew away with us. I have a zillion bites. I went out half an hour ago after lunch (bing cherries!!) and refilled the bird feeder. A zillion more bites. Man, they do itch horribly. I used anti itch cream..no good. These are East Tennessee mosquitoes. Nothing conquers them.
Let’s see if I can show you at least, the maple. These were taken before Spring.
The Maple
The Oak on the extreme right of my house (left) and I didn’t get to the top of it.
Rambling1on's Blog 
Dear Carole, Too bad about the maple tree but glad the black oak will be saved.As ever be well
The squirrels can\’t git to your birdseed so now they\’ve taken up to attack yer cacti. Ms. Catt must\’ve freaked seeing them that close eh? Sorry bout the ailing trees. If the maple is on right away the city town should remove it at their expense. I\’m not sure if you have that or not. People round here let others take down trees for the wood they want and don\’t cost ya nothin. It sounds like those East TN skeeters are hungry…an big!
How much does it cost to take down a big tree?Cherries for lunch, unusual.I see the sqirrels keep testing the uneasy peace. They best not get Miss Catt too riled up!
Dear Carole, Almost forgot…….a \’skeeter repellent that works for me is Avon Skin So Soft bath oil. Just put a bit of it in the bathwater, have a good hot soak. Have used it in the past while living on the farm and on photo shoots in the swamp and deep woods. As ever be well
That\’s sad about the tree\’s infection. We had one that got something and rotted clear through and had to be cut down at our old house…it\’s really empty back there now. Your squirrel war proceeds though there seems to be a change in tactics…still annoying it sounds like. I lay down on the trampoline the other night to watch the stars and the darm mosquitos were ready to fly away with me too…I don\’t react much to the bites fortunately or I\’d look more like a lumpy tomato today than a human being! I like your pictures as always my friend, I hope the day treats you well.
Oh that makes me sad. Trees are my most favorite thing to look at in nature and I hate seeing one cut down. I know it\’s necessary but it makes me sad.
Awful news about the maple tree. They are both such beautiful trees. I am glad the black oak can be saved.Be careful of the skeeters. We have had West Nile virus reported here already. I agree with Toodie, Any tree here on the city\’s right of way, the city is responsible for. They own my bean tree but I have to clean up the beans.
Sorry to read about your trees. Miss Catt doesn\’t miss a trick,does she? Mosquitos have come in my house. I may have to spray.
That\’s such a shame about the trees. About the mosquitos – I find that applying China Oel (a German product) to the bites works wonders. It soothes the itching quite miraculously. If you can\’t find it under this particular brand name, I\’m sure you can find something similar if not identical. Basically, it\’s peppermint oil. (It\’s jolly good for inhaling if you have a stuffed nose, as well.)I wonder what Miss Catt would have made of the really cheeky squirrels I met in the parks of London last week (just got back this morning).
What a shame to have to down a tree. Now only are they beautiful, they are so important to our enviroment. Sounds like the squirrels are trying to get revenge for the swirling bird feeder, lol. Hugs
I remember that Sis! when you have had problem with big tree that fell down at the beside your house just missed from the storm? It is sad hear that loose the maple tree. Does squirrels eat segments of cactus?I\’m glad you kept your mum cactus in inside house. It sound very similarity with a possum which is protected animals…..How you could scare off them? My back pains is still there it more likely a bit of left with stiff …my record at physio it shows a last time was in Jan.Thank you for asked Sis! whats about yours lol! We are getting away from younger age??????It doesn\’t matter our head are still youngers as 25 years old ha ha ha xoxoxoxoSis!
YEP Beth and Toodie are right.. CITY is responsible for triming those and removing what ones are a problem. THEY contact the power company and THEY do the work. We have the large pine here and it is very sickly.. they don\’t last forever I tellMOM. The tree was planted back in the 60\’s and is dying from within. Shame a real shame. SIS…. take care : )
It\’s good to know you have a wonderful watch cat! Damn squirrel! What kinda maple tree? I had a silver leaf maple in my back yard and during a spring storm, it split and half of it fell over. I loved that ol\’ tree! Out here, a silver leaf maple is considered a "trash tree" which means if a lot is being cleared for construction, trash trees are the first to go! Glad to hear the oak can be saved. I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree – Joyce Kilmer said that! 😉 love ya both