As requested by Yorkslass .the Chain saw maniac handyman !!
By bloomer
32 comments
I recently posted a blog/photo’s of the back garden,and happened to mention that one of our newest neighbours,had decided to ‘redesign’ their section of our shared gardens.which took place on Easter Sunday morning ,of all days ! Their section is at the very beginning of our cul de sac,and granted,it is a very steep banking,but had been planted with lots of Evergreen shrubs by the Housing Association who actually still own all the land on which our Bungalows are built on. The stipulation being,that each section in front of our own property,is to be maintained by that owner.
There is also a huge Sycamore tree,which has been a bone of contention over the years.It doesn’t have a TPO on it,so after discussions with the Housing association over the years, ,they agreed to prune it to a more satisfactory shape,as there were lots of lower overhanging branches,which could possibly have caused damage,if left as it was.
It was duly done to everyone’s satisfaction,until Easter Sunday morning ,when the aforementioned Chain saw maniac,and his wife/partner? arrived in their White Van ! no logo ,stating ’Tree Surgeon ’or similar..might just has well have been a takeaway van !
Anyway ,I digress :o)
As you will already see where this is going, C.Man,started at the top of the banking, first to go were the Mahonia’s ,which were just starting to flower,followed by the Berberis ,lots of other evergreen shrubs ,which had all merged together in the 19 years since they were planted,by the H.Association,as part of the landscaping,so it created a lovely green area,excellent for the wildlife ..
Next,it was the Sycamore tree ! It had already been pruned correctly.but this madman ,decided it wasn’t to his liking,so just hacked away at it,to his own satisfaction, while ‘wifey’ was sweeping up ,and feeding branches into a shredder !.
We daren’t interfere,as we weren’t sure what the situation was ,or if the new owners had arranged for someone to ‘prune and tidy’ the area,as some of the owners now have someone to tend their front and back gardens,as we all have those as well..
It took about an hour to do so much damage,and they left it looking horrendous.. We have to look at this every day,from a side Lounge window,and it’s heartbreaking.
Since then,one neighbour contacted the H.Association ,and they arrived last week,and have had to prune the Sycamore tree,to the best of their ability,with what remained of this beautiful tree,which has been there for many years,and was destined to be left ,when our Bungalows were being built. .
Needless to say, they were very angry when they had already been to do it correctly a few weeks ago !
Although it may look bare,there is still growth which was left at the top,but I couldn’t get a photo on the close up from my window..
I think the neighbours in question are keeping a low profile,as they haven’t been seen outdoors,since ,except to go out in their car.
Right,are you ready ? here goes.. oh.and the second photo,is what the rest of the adjoining shared borders look like at the moment,shared by ourselves,and three others.
Sorry,if I’ve rambled on so much,but I was asked to post a photo,and I needed to explain why we were/are all upset ,about such a random act of destruction.. Maybe in another 19 years, which is how long it took it all to mature, it may look presentable again ..
5 May, 2021
0 likes
Previous post: Full Potential for the Bank holiday.
Next post: Happy Yorkshire Day ..
Comments
I could think of worse words,Julia .but being a lady ! lol.
Appalling isn't it?
They don't talk much to anyone.If any of us didn't say 'good morning' etc ,first,we have noticed they don't say anything.... says,it all really. Luckily all our other seven neighbours are wonderful,so no problem :o)
5 May, 2021
Sandra, I just don't understand the thinking behind this destruction. Why, oh why, would anyone want to cut so much back and leave it looking in such a state?
I do love the planting in the second photo . . . here's hoping these new folk stay well away from it! I imagine heads will roll if they dare . . . . .
5 May, 2021
I thought it was against the rules to cut shrubs and trees back while the nesting period is around. Why create such a cut back anyway. The tree hopefully will recover. Some people just don't care do they. The new planting looks good and for your sake I hope it stays that way.
5 May, 2021
We have had a similar experience, which I wrote a blog on.
The nesting situation is simple. they have to do a nest survey and if nesting birds are found then you cant cut.
Question is how well do they look.
Quality tree surgeons will assess and write a suitable report.
5 May, 2021
Omg, what a shame :-/
5 May, 2021
Shirley, the 2nd Photo,is of our shared border with three of our nice neighbours,so they have no need to even pass that way,as the only way out, is up the side road at the side of their monstrosity. ! The lovely lady who used to live there,had to go into a home,and she loved her garden.I'm so glad she can't see it now ! :o(
5 May, 2021
What a mess, I would be devastated.
5 May, 2021
Yes ,Ange,definitely a mess ! I doubt whether the HA will do anything ,to be honest,but they are aware how most of us feel about it.Sometimes it's case of bury ones head in the sand, and hope it all gets forgotten about ! I think you are correct,about some feeling threatened by 'Natural ' ,they have also got rid of all the lovely shrubs etc in their back garden,since they moved in. What is wrong with these people.. ? They now have a wonderful clear view of the side of a Co-op,and it's Garage forecourt ! Now ,forgive me if I'm wrong,but wouldn't you think that is so weird ?? :o)
5 May, 2021
Linda,I wasn't aware of that,re nesting birds,but it is a valid point. ,and SBG,thank you for pointing that out too..I wish I had known about that beforehand,but wise after the event comes to mind ,as is often the case ..I won't forget that ,if it should ever happen again at some point ,and be able to pre warn someone in a similar situation..
I will look at your blog,Eileen,so thanks for letting me know.:o)
5 May, 2021
I'd much rather look at a petrol station than be threatened by a bit of greenery that might harbour the odd bug, Bloomer (!!). What can you say? They have to live with the desecration.
5 May, 2021
Crikey!!! What an absolute mess! How awful for you and your neighbours/friends. Very bizarre act to be honest, Sandra. It’s true what the others have said, nest surveys or waiting until the nesting period over or there’s suspect nesting can you start pruning etc...heartbreaking is definitely the apt word, it’s pretty sad really.
Maybe they are hiding out through embarrassment? Maybe they can’t abide a little bit of work in the garden? They’d rather live with paving and gravel and not have any beautiful mature planting and scenery!!! Odd...
5 May, 2021
Oh Sandra , this was a horrific thing to do , what on earth were they thinking ,I can't believe anyone would deliberately destroy a lovely mature bank like that , I can't see any logic behind it ,it must have taken a lot of time and effort and for what ? I don't get it ,it's weird , but then there are some strange people about these days they think they can do as they like without any comeback ,shame on them :o(
6 May, 2021
Oh no, what a mess!!! I am being polite as can think of worse words. I do really feel for you as till 2 years ago, we had problem neighbours who made our lives hell. Thank God they have now moved and the new ones keep themselves very much to themselves. The old ones where chain saw lovers and often spend late evening, all weekend with it going but thank God, it was only to their own garden. It's neighbours like your new ones and my old ones that make me want to buy a house in the middle of nowhere.
6 May, 2021
Thank you ,dear friends,for all your supportive and sympathetic comments. Now I have got it off my chest, (sorry you bore the brunt of it all ) It's something we will have to get used to,I'm afraid.. What's done is done, so I just hope they decide they don't like living here anymore.The Irony is,they only moved from one of the houses in the first Photo ,which if you take a look,was the third house up ! They had a wonderful view of the Bowling club Car park ,so I must deduce they prefer concrete to greenery ,! as a Yorkshire saying goes,'Nowt as strange as folk ' ! Lol x
6 May, 2021
Well I'm Flabbergasted!!!!.....No ryhme nor reason that I can see to it, how could anyone in their right mind prefer looking at a garage forecourt or a Coop Store, I hope it grows back mighty darn quick, twice as thick, then costs them a lot of money once again to try and destroy it...
6 May, 2021
We all are ,Sue,and we have all worked hard to make it a nice place to live,welcomed and helped new neigbours ,exchanging cuttings,splitting plants, etc.,so this just has knocked everyone for six!
It doesn't even look as if they are going to get someone to tidy up the the mess left behind,which at least,would count for something ! Grrrrrr ! :o(
6 May, 2021
I'd be tempted to sling the mess into their garden with little note "I think this is yours?" Thank you for the photo Sandra - now we all know why you are so upset. At least its at the end and not in the middle of the row...
6 May, 2021
Sandra I know how you've all worked together over the years and its always looked amazing, Stera is right, it is on the end, would have been heartbreaking if it had been one in the middle...Hopefully someone is going to come along and do something with it, they obviously don't like shrubs or anything as I've reread the comments and you say they have done the same in the back garden, guess its a case of wait and see....
6 May, 2021
That is heart breaking and for what reason?
7 May, 2021
Thank you Yorkslass, yes,it is very tempting to do as you suggest,but I don't fancy having a criminal record at my age ! lol .someone is bound to see me,even in the dead of night . Neighbourhood Watch ??? Lol.
7 May, 2021
Yes, Sue,we all love our gardens,all except them,it seems...
If you notice,there is one narrow strip of Greenery to the left of the tree? This is actually opposite our next door neighbours property,so they must have been told,not to touch it ? ...It then drops down very sharply,to our borders,as there are supports in place (Gabons ? Lots of large stones in wired caging.,) sorry,not sure if that's the correct name for them. They go from top to bottom,to stop the banking from Collapsing.
There starts another small section belonging to my next door neighbour, on the right of photo 2.up to,and including the lovely Choisya Ternata,almost ready for flowering now,which I look after for him,as he is almost 92 now,bless him. that's the start of our section ,up to the Lamp post..As for wait and see? I'm not holding my breath to see any improvements..! x
7 May, 2021
It is sad,isn't it ,Klahanie? especially as they are the only ones in our small community of nine Bungalows , not to want to take pride and enjoy what we have achieved between us , over the years.Thank you for liking the long border.We all look out at this from our Kitchen windows.. :o)
7 May, 2021
Yes,it is heartbreaking,Denise,thank you for your comment.
Who knows what the reason was, behind their thinking.We are all elderly here, so obviously ,some are not as mobile as others, but if they had only mentioned, if it needed a tidy up at some point,and weren't able to do it themselves,especially it being such a steep area,which is understandable,or even just passed the time of day occasionally, those of us that are able,would have gladly helped out.. It really didn't need anything doing,as it had all blended together nicely..x.
7 May, 2021
Oh dear Sandra, no wonder those people are keeping a low profile! The second photo looks lovely though and lets hope they keep their hands off that! Its a pity noone went up to them to see if they had permission to do all that!
It's such a shame and I expect their will be a lot of wildlife gone missing! I can understand you were angry and if you know where they live, you should all get together and knock on their door!
7 May, 2021
Sandra I've just seen your blog and I can't believe it! You're garden always looks amazing and the shared border has been a credit to you all... Until now. What on earth were they thinking of...or not? I can only imagine how you are feeling. It wouldn't have been quite so bad if they had informed you about what they intend and asked if you had any obligation. Let's hope they don't turn out to be the neighbours from hell.
8 May, 2021
Sandra, I have only just seen this and am horrified at the mess they have left behind. What on earth were they thinking of?
Do you think is there is a stage two to their plans?
I think that when they dare to emerge from their home, a few people might be asking them a few questions! I do hope so!
The other photo is a real joy to see and looks lovely.
I am sorry this has happened to your pretty area and it is a real shame and should never have happened.
8 May, 2021
Thank you ,Rose,Julia and Chris,for your comments, and it just defies reasoning ,doesn't it?
I am trying not to look at it from the side window,but it's 'my seat' when I'm on my laptop,or watching TV..I can however ,just look straight down the road instead,but then 'their 'Bungalow is in view ! It's not a good option ,is it?
They are already the 'Neighbours from Hell,'to the rest of us,Julia.
Still no sign of them emerging ,only either of their sons,arriving occasionally.
I agree, it would have been polite,to ask us all ,not just Russell and I, if we were in agreement ,as to what they were about to do,and the answer would have been a resounding NO ! although if a discussion had taken place,maybe we could have come to some suitable outcome..only maybe !
Thank you for liking the border as it is,at the moment,it's coming on leaps and bounds,in all this rain :o) Hope yours are too..xx
8 May, 2021
Recent posts by bloomer
- Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all .xx
24 Dec, 2023
- Spared by 'Babet' .
23 Oct, 2023
- Hanging on in there..
6 Oct, 2023
- Washout Summer,or is it ?
14 Aug, 2023
- This years display..
9 Jul, 2023
- Not taking any chances !
17 Oct, 2022
Oh goodness, what a mess they've left behind. Can the HA force them to get it completely cleared and replanted? They would have the clout, presumably, to get them to do it. These sorts of people seem to find 'natural' threatening - and they always attack when the birds are nesting. (Mind you, our local farmers were cutting back the hedgerows last week.) No-one seems to care about wildlife or know even the basics about it.
5 May, 2021