Agony Ivy - What a Pear!

[Captain Colonial]

So a few of you might have noticed I've not been around much these past couple of weeks.  That's because Lady Chair has had me doing the thing I hate most - gardening.  Specifically, there's a 30' party wall at the rear of the property that over the past 20 years has become covered and choked with ivy, which grew on the other side of the party wall, up a pear tree on that side, and over our wall behind the trellis work.  It took me 10 days to cut it all back from our side, make multiple runs to the tip, fill the green recycling bins of five of my neighbours, and I've one car load to go.  It was an absolute jungle.

 

In the process, I lost my footing on one occasion and stepped backwards, only to slash the rear of my left lower leg to bits on a stump, which required a trip to A & E.  Not posting a photo here, but I've got three large horizontal slashes in my calf that hurt like b*******y every time I move.  I also ache from head to foot.  I'm too old and too knackered for this stuff.

 

So finally finished it late Tuesday, looking forward to taking The Wench out for a blat Wednesday evening.  I'm in the garden about 5 PM on Wednesday with a beer, admiring my handiwork, when a stiff breeze blows by and a hear an ominous wooden "crack" on the other side of the party wall.  The pictures (click to make bigger) tell the tale...

 

 

 

I couldn't believe it.  I just stood there and looked at it, stunned.  Once I got my senses back I went out the rear gate and looked at it - the tree had snapped off below ground level, obviously old and a bit past it, but it was probably the weight of the ivy branches, no longer supported by being able to rest on the party wall, that probably signed it's death warrant.

 

So now there's a 30', very solid dead pear tree on the other side of the wall.  Not a problem you say, it wasn't on your property and someone else has to shift it - very true.  Except for one thing - those garage you can see in the photos is where The Wench lives, and that driveway is the only way out.  So it suddenly occurs to me that my Wednesday blat is cancelled.

 

Happily, a team of men came this morning and removed it within an hour, most impressive.  Couldn't help but think of our own club lumberjack James while it was happening.

 

Unfortunately, by the time I get finished, it's going to start raining and will rain all weekend too.

 

So all in all... I hate gardening even more than before. :swear:

 

(Not even going to discuss the 3' deep pond I never wanted that I filled in as well - twice...)

[alexander72]

Hey Scott - good work fella - thats about an hours work mate with a reasonable sized chipper :-) 

 

sorry to hear about the injuries - dangerous job this tree lark (he says from the office at home) :-))

[Captain Colonial]

Yep, gave me a new found respect for what you do James.  That ivy is hateful stuff, grew straight down the side of the wall and into corners where a saw couldn't reach - had to use a drill with a wide boring bit to weaken it enough to pull it down.  The ivy branch inside the pear tree was easily 4 cm in diameter.  I've painted all the stumps with systemic killer, so hopefully that will be that.  Not touching that garden again this year!

[s2rrr]

Scott,

 

I would have thought the butler or gardener could have handled that more effectively.  Guess it didn't dampen your sense of humour. Hope the injuries heal soon and well.

 

Bob

[Captain Colonial]

If I had a gardener, I would sacked him for letting the ivy get that bad!  As for a butler, that's part of my remit as far as Lady Chair is concerned, who gets a pot of tea in bed every morning.

[Paul Edden]

I've heard that the difficulty you experienced is related to the size of your chopper oh illustrious one?

[Captain Colonial]

I've heard that the difficulty you experienced is related to the size of your chopper oh illustrious one?

 

I'd love to reply to that, but a legal restraining order says I can't.

 

(Love how you zing me and then try to ease it with a "compliment" at the end. )

[Dommo]

I've got an ivy covered wall you could have practiced on first. Comparatively, it's just a baby so would have been a fantastic warmup.

[alexander72]

better the cutter - smaller the saw 

[DerekJ]

.... Lady Chair is concerned, who gets a pot of tea in bed every morning......

Ewww That must be one soggy bed!