Last year proved to be an experimental season. Most of the plants that I planted in the grass area did not survive the Walnut juglone.
A “tree guy” stopped by to ask about the Walnuts, which they often do, and explained those that were giving me the most trouble were dying from hits from the prior owners’ bulldozer.
We decided to go ahead and have the trees removed. We had a choice, to pay for removal, or take payment for the trees. We did not want to sell trees, that is what caused much of the destruction in the past, but it was a wiser choice; and this guy said he really loved trees and would be careful with his work.
What he didn’t say was that he would be leaving us with massive log piles, too heavy to budge, broken limbs and total destruction.
But. We did not realize he was a “logger,” and not a “tree guy.” Make sure you investigate first! As a logger, he only cared about the wood he could use. He took some time to get to our job , and showed up without notice. By the time we knew he was there, he had toppled the trees without care, smashing several others, and breaking limbs off the beautiful Cottonwood. He drove his bulldozer right over 3 young Paw Paw trees, all of the grasses on the berm, and crushed everything I’d planted the year before. Including 3 chrome plant domes.
(Update: In Spring of 2024, this area was covered with fescue, grass from the seeded grass area. The ‘logger” had pushed dirt back from the grass and it took off like wildfire, leaving a ton of new removal work to do. Grass seed from tractor wheels also spread grass along the wood’s path. More on that later…)
Buyer beware! Even though he didn’t pay much for the trees (and I spent twice as much repairing,) be sure to investigate and ensure your “tree guy” does everything possible to protect your property and clean up his mess.
I do think we’re getting used to this though, it only took us a couple of weeks-and 2 burn barrels– to clear and burn the 4 piles of brush that extended from one side of the grass area to the other. Let’s just not do it again though.
