Daydream thread continues.....

Itismehonest

lostinrates wrote: »

Exactly....we live in a great big man maintained park. We forget the tree cover that would have covered many of the hills too, and that the very domestication, while essential, causes imbalances however minor. Make that domestication as large scale as we have and we have a huge impact.

Bah humbug.

There hasn't been a wide-scale forest in the UK for much longer than people think. It certainly wasn't here by the time the Romans left. By Domesday it was down to 15%. It was about 11% in 2003 & higher than that now. (from forestry.gov.uk)
The rush to replace stock with fast growing timber after WW1 is what led the Forestry Commission to plant those grim plantations of rows of conifers.

In our attempts to rectify what we see as our predecessors mistakes we may actually make things worse. Who knows? For example, people who thought they were doing the right thing buying in ash trees to plant out may have unwittingly signed the death warrant for all those already in their neighbourhood.
Every time we bring in any plant to a new area of land we are risking causing chaos.

Davesnave

Itismehonest wrote: »

There hasn't been a wide-scale forest in the UK for much longer than people think.

We still have some borderline old temperate rain forest in the valley around here. It must feel quite at home.

Did someone mention Acacia dealbata the florist's mimosa? I have 3 grown from seed sheltering in the polytunnel, but I notice someone has planted one between walls in an east-facing niche in Chulmleigh, so I'll be checking on its progress. Not the most hospitable environment, but out of the wind.

Significantly, the tree from which the seeds came, in the Bath Botanical Garden, is no longer there. It was probably killed in winter 2009/10.

lostinrates

Itismehonest wrote: »

There hasn't been a wide-scale forest in the UK for much longer than people think. It certainly wasn't here by the time the Romans left. By Domesday it was down to 15%. It was about 11% in 2003 & higher than that now. (from forestry.gov.uk)
The rush to replace stock with fast growing timber after WW1 is what led the Forestry Commission to plant those grim plantations of rows of conifers.

In our attempts to rectify what we see as our predecessors mistakes we may actually make things worse. Who knows? For example, people who thought they were doing the right thing buying in ash trees to plant out may have unwittingly signed the death warrant for all those already in their neighbourhood.
Every time we bring in any plant to a new area of land we are risking causing chaos.

I think it's true poor attempts at rectification are often very much worse than we think.

Have to say, I quite like the grim coniferous forests at times, A lovely big dark wood of any sort feels homely to me, Of course conifers wouldn't be my first choice, but living without woods in easy walking distance does make me sad. I miss tree so much.


I think the ash tree spread thing was always going to be a when Not an of it came to uk now.

And of course....gardening is as bad as it is good......those Romans bringing apples and roses here flourished and help bees and birds , but many plants have brought ill.


Oh I wish I wasn,t such an Eeyore Tonight. I think I might take Alfie's advice.. Dh has been making cocktails a lot recently. Including a delightful 'sugar plum royales'. Yummy, but uses champagne/prosecco so no more of them for me, I was quite unwell on Christmas day and spatrkling things are not advised on my medication.

lostinrates

Davesnave wrote: »

We still have some borderline old temperate rain forest in the valley around here. It must feel quite at home.

Did someone mention Acacia dealbata the florist's mimosa? I have 3 grown from seed sheltering in the polytunnel, but I notice someone has planted one between walls in an east-facing niche in Chulmleigh, so I'll be checking on its progress. Not the most hospitable environment, but out of the wind.

Significantly, the tree from which the seeds came, in the Bath Botanical Garden, is no longer there. It was probably killed in winter 2009/10.

Hmmm, doesn't bode well I suppose. This is , I think some sort of subspecies, The leafs are less silvered and I am told it will only grow to about twelve metres tall? Or maybe that's our climate! I was thinking I might put it in the front, that protects it from our very front south winds, takes the worst of the west wind out from the yard, but leaves it exposed to the north and east still. It would get sun from east and west there, and just inside the hedge the scent would be super for passers by.

Davesnave

Oh well, the holidays roll on.....DD1 has no way to get to work in Exeter tomorrow, so she'll have more time for her dissertation..... Hmmmm, guess who gets to sort out her typos, spell-check gaffes and so on

I also doubt that we'll see the architect before next week, which is early enough. I'm not sure how pleased he will be to see us. Since he sent the amended plans over last week, DD1's young man, who's a trainee architect, has turned them into a 3D model on the 'puter and added our "final" amendments to that! :o:o

Looking good though.

In more down-to mud-news, I examined the errant blue pipe today and discovered it is perforated, but buried too high, as well as doing daft things. I still haven't discovered the ends, but at least it won't cost much to relocate it and bury in the correct manner, which ought to solve the barn flooding problem.

alfie_1

lostinrates wrote: »

Hmmm, doesn't bode well I suppose. This is , I think some sort of subspecies, The leafs are less silvered and I am told it will only grow to about twelve metres tall? Or maybe that's our climate! I was thinking I might put it in the front, that protects it from our very front south winds, takes the worst of the west wind out from the yard, but leaves it exposed to the north and east still. It would get sun from east and west there, and just inside the hedge the scent would be super for passers by.

:rotfl::rotfl: s*d the passerby's !! hows about planting it ...

if you come out of your NEW double doors into the square area and look right. the wall between house [your new utility] and the far wall [neighbours barn] in that corner area..
wind doesnt hit flat but goes up and over and should miss any vital damage being done. then when you have your paved sitting area YOU will get the scent...???

had that bevvy yet...;) xx

Itismehonest

The link which didn't work for you, LIR, included:

Acacias are basically tough plants but their susceptibility to frost means they can only be grown in areas with relatively mild winters. Frost hardiness seems to increase greatly with age, with young plants much more sensitive to cold than established ones which have attained tree size. Selected clones have shown resistance to short periods of frost at temperatures of -19ºC, though temperatures much below -10ºC will kill most specimens very quickly.

Grow outside in a fertile, neutral to acid soil in a sheltered position in full sun. A. dealbata is well adapted to summer drought but should be watered thoroughly until established. In areas at the limits of hardiness, plant near the base of a sheltered south facing wall

Under glass grow in direct sun in free-draining compost. Water moderately when in growth and sparingly in winter, ensuring that a liquid feed is applied at fortnightly intervals. It has been noted that specimens flower more freely if plunged outside in summer after the danger of frost has passed.

Regular pruning is not necessary except for pot-grown specimens and should be kept to a minimum on established plants. Established plants resent hard pruning and cannot be renovated successfully. Grown under glass, acacias can become infested with a wide range of glasshouse pests including tortrix moth, scale, red spider mites and mealybugs which should be treated accordingly.

If grown outside they are relatively pest free, though any damage caused by frosts should be pruned out to stop any infections.

I was wondering if there would be anywhere inside (orangery, conservatory type place) that would be suitable until it reached a size/age where planting out is less risky?

choille

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

when in January is choille day? ( when the sun comes round)

....

15th January.

This evening was super bright with a wonderful moon & weird mackerel sky, but it's turned ominous with massive storm clouds & the wind is chilling & getting up, but it's still so bright out there.

lostinrates

Itismehonest wrote: »

The link which didn't work for you, LIR, included:


I was wondering if there would be anywhere inside (orangery, conservatory type place) that would be suitable until it reached a size/age where planting out is less risky?

Thanks, that is really helpful. It's been in a heated conservatory at the nursery I understand (to get them into early flower for Christmas gifts I guess) so ATM it's in our kitchen. I am thinking the terrace outside of there under the loggia is the best place for it short term, sheltered by the house but not hot housed.

Davesnave

lostinrates wrote: »

I am thinking the terrace outside of there under the loggia is the best place for it short term, sheltered by the house but not hot housed.

I think alfie got it right. A wall, preferably house, should help give it some protection, and until it becomes large, you might rig up some temporary cover, like fleece, for the few very cold nights.

I'm praying ours do not grow too large while we wait for the sheltering walls to be built!