Spring is bursting out all over the garden but my attention has been on Doris! A disaster called Doris This End of the Month View I plan to update you on last week’s post.
You will recall that storm “Doris” had caused considerable damage to an old apple tree. Despite the very poor weather this week we did manage to start the process of clearing up.
Removing the mass of Rosa Rambling Rector was not very pleasant and needed very good gloves and protection.
A few logs will be added to our log pile
and a large amount of rose and apple twigs destined for the shredder in the potting shed. Actually this is what was left after about five hours of shredding.
So looking at the tree from the house it does not look too bad.
From the east side it not great but probably will fill out a bit.
From the south looking towards the house it is not bad.
But from the main garden looking east we can really see the damage done.
You can see on this photograph where the branch came from. Also you can see that the tree is showing signs of aging and rotting from the inside. Given that the tree is probably around 100 years old this is not surprising.
What next?
We are not going to rush into removing it completely but will live with it for a while and see how it developed. In the meanwhile we will be looking for mature apple trees to be a possible replacement. So the future is yet to be determined. Its very sad but gardening has never been totally predictable. I guess that is part of the enjoyment.
End of the Month View
Do have a look at Helen The Patient Gardener’s blog where you fill find links to other gardens at the end of February. Thank you to Helen for hosting this meme.
Glebe House Garden 
Oh! I see what you mean; from the images last week I hadn’t realised the damage was so severe. In gardening it is always good to wait, but always be thinking of plan B. I hope the tree is salvageable for a few years, but I also know that apples trees don’t live that long so being prepared will be a good thing.
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Hi Christina, We were just searching the internet as to what would be available to replace it. The format of the tree is half standard. This may be an advantage as they tend to grow quickest but mature trees are generally not available in this format. well we will just have to keep thinking.
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Such a shame, it’s a lovely old tree. Hopefully the rose will fill some of the gap when it gets going again.
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yes, we are going to miss it. It was one of the trees we would sit under when we wanted shade on the occasional hot day. If we replace it then it will be several years before we can do that!
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Bad old Doris, eh?! Still, I am envious of all that lovely firewood…
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Some compensation I guess. But life goes on and we will see how it developed. Currently I would replace it but Diane (my co gardener) want to wait and see.
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What a loss it would be to take the whole tree down! Perhaps if it’s already rotting from the inside, though, it would just be a matter of time before it would have to come down anyway. Good luck! That’s a tough decision!
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Thanks, yes a tough decision. At this stage we a “sitting on our hands” and will see what it looks like when the leaves etc come out.
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Oh what a shame. I love that tree.
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Yes , it is still there but looking a sad specimen
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