Trees.

We liked wood before we liked trees!

I did ‘O level’ woodwork, learned about dovetails, mortise and tenons and made Irene and Andy a bedside table in mahogany for my final project. Getting it home on the school bus was a bit of a challenge. Jean and Allen were fond of all things wooden especially turned bowls.Our home is pleasantly adorned with furniture and wooden artifacts gifted to us by extended family members – no material value but terrific grain and warmth.

The first trees that left an imprint on me were a small run of Cupressus leylandii that had been planted by my auntie Rhoda (Irene’s sister) and uncle Tom at the bottom of their garden. Memorable, but not in a good way. These thugs had totally outgrown their space and were destined for the chipper.Coincidently,decades later,my pal from university,CK, has just gone through the same experience.

He inherited them when purchasing his house and in his own words, went from magnificence to trepidation every time a gale was forecast. He now has loads of fun ahead as a new border to be planted beckons. I remember reading an article by Sir Roy Strong who recognized the emotional challenge of removing mature trees – but it is part of the cycle and when it is the right thing to do…….and if possible to plant new trees then that is a reasonable trade off.

Despite going to places like the New Forrest, Burnham Beaches, the Lake District national park – we only started to appreciate trees fully when we moved to NC – we were surrounded by them and could begin to understand their seasonal attraction.

I really do not know all that much about trees but did have a few conversations with an arborist – so at least have some basics. Trees are going to be a big part of AndAllen so it will really be a learning experience for us.