Sycamore felling - brave stuff!

The sycamore is finally down.  It was sad to lose a 100ft tree; it always is.  However, it wasn't in a great state with a fair bit of rot, and it was threatening the surrounding buildings, and indeed our visitors!

Now, here is some brilliant tree surgery.  This wasn't an easy job.  After chopping off the top hamper, the team had to thread the main trunk through a small gateway such that it fell clear both of a water tank on the one side, and Harold Peto's casita building on the other.  Skill indeed.  Here it is:

First day of the season - and removing the old sycamore

What a glorious day to welcome the summer season - 18 degrees at its hottest, with a slight breeze, bright sunshine... wonderful.

But it was also a sad day, as William Waldren's team of tree surgeons arrived to begin a two-day 'sectioning down' of the old Sycamore above the Oriental Garden, photos below.  The tree was condemned as dangerous (to people and buildings) when it was found to have a broadly hollow trunk, and with the high winds this winter we were crossing our fingers rather!

The loss of this tree will certainly affect the structural look of the garden, but as with all living elements of gardens, as one thing is lost, others take over and the focus shifts.

In addition one of the false acacia (robinia) trees in the main yard was taken down as it was showing signs of leaning in a rather uncontrolled manner.  Attractive stumps!