11.07.2025 Felling for a fall.

 ~o~

  Friday 11th 54F/12.2C [7.00] A mostly sunny, dry day after early cloud. Rather breezy from the NW turning NE. A wet weekend in prospect.

 Up at 6.00 after a quiet night. 

 It clouded over and became misty. Though I still went for a walk. It was cold on my hands. Particularly while walking into the breeze. The warblers seems untroubled by the change in weather. I don't remember them singing for so long. 

 The mist provided a little extra drama to the all too familiar scenes. Misted spiders webs clung to the tips of the oil seed rape. Sunshine is expected around 10am. 

 So far I haven't a clue what to do today. There are so many things waiting to be done: Tidy the remains of the observatory. Dig the holes for the foundation blocks for the carport. Tidy upstairs. Tidy the sheds. Where to begin? 

 10.50 65F/18.3C. Bright sunshine. Back from grocery shopping in the village. 

 12.30 70F/21C. Hot! I have been aligning the carport with the shed. 

13.15 73F/22.8C. I brought out my tallest stepladder and attached a rope as high as possible. To the red oak tree beyond the carport. Even with a rope to pull it down. After sawing a notch and back cut. It is still very risky. 

 The carport is one side and the workshop/shed the other. Leaving a very small safe angle for felling. One mistake and it could be very costly! I have to dash over to pull the rope. Only to fall flat on my face and have the tree fall on top of me! 

 Best not to try. It can't be allowed to fall backwards due to the much bigger trees behind. It could hang up and become dangerous.

 15.15 76F/24.4C Too hot to be outside in direct sunshine. Very pleasant in the shade with the cooling breeze. I have gently pruned the brown tips on the dappled willow. There were green leaves growing out everywhere. Even where the tips were completely brown and withered. Hardly a return to its former glory but a definite recovery. Though it has lost its shape. 

 The plant is still sitting in the original pot in the shade under the north roof overhang. It only gets sun in the early morning. So it should survive. Despite it being the wrong time of year for pruning. 

I might even risk re-potting it. Though I shouldn't until much later in the autumn. It was horribly root-bound when I bought it. 

 I have seen several superb specimens on my travels. Usually ball shaped on a clean stem. Planted in the ground or lawn in posh gardens. Pink lollipops spring to mind. 

 Dinner was cheese on toast with halved tomatoes. 

    

 ~o~