Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: How has a tree or trees in your life made it better?, 0 by plymouthgarden

plymouthgarden wrote:
I've always loved trees - so when we found this modern house with these beech trees in the backyard - that was that, we bought it. We've been told there are 4 different varieties of European Beech - all about 80' tall - the biggest one (which is named "the princess tree" or "pooh" depending on which kid you ask) has a circumference of 13'. We have lots of glass in the house, and the trees are very close - so they provide endless pleasure - when it rains the water cascades down the trunks in sheets, they provide much needed shade (it's a 10 or 15 degree difference on a hot day under the beeches) - they are living sculpture. We protect them, they protect us.

We were told by our architect that this land used to be a picnic area for the big estates at the turn of the century - and also that he suspected that Frederick Law Olmstead (of the Boston Emerald Necklace fame) had something to do with them since they are unusual. Have never been able to substantiate that, though we do know that FLO frequented this town and helped with public spaces & nearby private estates.

It's hard to explain to "non-tree" people what it's like to live with these giants. When we first bought our house and had a party, many people said "oh, you are going to take those trees down, right? they are too close to the house!". It was all we could do not to ask them to leave after saying such a thing! And don't worry - this house was built in 1965 and 40+ years later the trees seem healthy and stable (we had 2 cabled, and have a fabulous local arborist who trims them and checks on them).

Someone once remarked that we are living here at the "right" time - that these were planted a long time ago, and they are so graceful in their old age. I hope to have as much grace in MY old age!

Kara