I've always liked this juniper tree, so large and healthy. But like an overgrown hairdo, it needed some trimming. It's too close to the house and branches dragging on the ground are not allowed within 100 ft of structures here for fire safety reasons.
I didn't know how much I could do by myself. I had never tackled a juniper before, but I brought my lopper and started trimming the twigs off the larger thicker branches.
I was thrilled, it went really well. When my BIL, Glenn, came to work on Wednesday, I asked if he could cut down the heavier branches. He said he can and will do it this week. I plan to cut the twigs and smaller branches on the right side also to make it easier for Glenn. The foliage is so thick, it will be easier for him if I can do some prep work.
Looking at the thick, twisted and gnarled trunk of this tree, I believe it must be pretty old. Some California Junipers may be more than 250 years old. And they are the only trees growing on my property, except for a few others planted by people. The latter are not doing well in the drought and may all die before it's over. Several junipers have also died, but most are doing OK.
I loved sitting inside the canopy of this tree, resting. It's a magical world in there, so shady and quiet. With the ground covered by
juniper "berries" that are not berries at all, but cones, a favorite autumn food of our local black bears, coyotes, as well as birds, ground squirrels and other small animals. The junipers were also important to the native people of this area, who would eat the berries and use the wood for bows, arrows, and other tools.
After resting for a while, the sun prompted me to get up and finish work for the morning. It gets way too hot around ten or eleven, so I usually finish up then and head inside to have lunch and rest some more. At my age, rest is good.....
Some more twisted branches on this old tree.
Some of the work I did.
Cleaned up now and taken to the dump. Even though junipers don't have the prickly foliage like pine needles, their twigs and branches are prickly enough to make up for it. So long sleeves are a good idea before tackling a tree like this. I will post a picture when Glenn and I are finished cutting back the branches. Hopefully, we'll do a good job and honor this ancient tree.
Hi Inger - love the header ... all those postboxes. You've done a great job to the juniper and giving Glenn a head start by prepping the straggly bits makes so much sense - but then you are a sensible, practical woman! And make time to sit and think under the canopy, while realising - enough is enough .. and rest and lunch in the house is a good idea. Wonderful to see 'your' tree ... it's lasted so well - and they are fascinating trees - forming folklore in many places.
ReplyDeleteCheers and so good to see this ... all the best for the week ahead - Hilary
I love the post box header too. That juniper looks like a lot of work- we have a quince tree on our property and trimming that back is a battle.
ReplyDeletepretty old thing! glad you were able to make good headway and even better that you'll have help for the bigger limbs. i was out early this morning trimming up some scrub trees, too.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Inger!
ReplyDeleteLove juniper trees. Sounds so pleasant to sit inside the canopy of the tree and resting in the shadow.
Does the juniper has the same fragance of the cedars? I have many cedars on my garden and they smell so good!
I can see you did a good work cleaned up the tree. Bravo!
Wishing you, Samson and Faith a lovely Sunday!
That's a nice old juniper, Inger! Definitely a scratchy proposition to work on. With all the fires I hear about, I'm glad you are getting all the hazards taken care of. Take care now, and don't work too hard!
ReplyDeleteit is a beautiful tree and I love being able to see the gnarled branches and trunks . good job doing all that work alone.. does it smell good like cedar and pine trees?
ReplyDeleteyes, since I had to take it in my jeep, it smells like christmas in there now.
DeleteWhat a magnificent tree--it shows a lot of personality!! I love the photo of the sun coming through it.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering--my juniper is quite prickly. Quite a job you have there. I think they use Juniper berries in making of gin. You have enough for a couple of cocktails there.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what the after picture looks like!
ReplyDeleteGreat progress.
ReplyDeleteThis will make a nice cool place to sit, relax and enjoy the view.
I bet the tree will look great when it is all trimmed. That's a lot of work you've done. Is juniper related to the red cedar that we have taking over the landscape here in Oklahoma? We had six cedar trees around our house when we moved here seven years ago. I'm highly allergic to them, so we had to have them removed. They provide a lot of wind break in the winter, but I can't live around them. I still have two cedars near my shed that I still need to have removed. I so enjoy your pictures from the canyon. Take care! ~Jeff
ReplyDeleteYou've got a great start on the old tree and nice that you have a bit of shade under it.
ReplyDeletelovely berries, and you have done such heavy hard work out there. It does look ancient, and no doubt will be glad of a good trim.
ReplyDeleteYour header photo is outstanding! Looks like you are taking care of this ancient tree and I do believe it is ancient!
ReplyDeleteNice work , Inger... I too, love your header...
ReplyDeleteI remember Junipers , from when I was young and lived in California. I remember the smell of them. It's good you are getting out and doing some of the work, but people our age have to pace themselves. There's always tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI love your new header - those postboxes are fabulous - they make me smile :)
ReplyDeleteI can imagine you sitting inside the shade of that lovely old tree - it will be so happy with its haircut .... Aren't juniper berries what gives gin its special flavour too? ;)
The mailboxes look lonely but seem to be keeping one another company. :-) Pace yourself, rest often, and enjoy the scenery. There is a tree right in front of my apartment complex that I see as I leave my upper apartment every day. It towers on a lot currently for sale. I will grieve if the new owners cut it down. :-(
ReplyDeleteHello, I seen Juniper growing around here. Sometimes near the shore. I would think the birds and critter will make those berries disappear.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday, enjoy your new week!
Hello Inger! It has been a long time. I sure love your header shot and hope you are not working too hard in that heat.
ReplyDeleteI love Juniper trees - even love the way the word sounds. I agree there is something magical about the gnarled branches and beauty of these old, wise, beautiful trees!
ReplyDelete