Careful what you wish for…

A couple weeks ago, I shared with you our new Bradford Pear Trees we planted for privacy on one side of our home.  The other side had trees but a mismatch of a hinoke cypress, western cedar dogwoods, arborvitae etc. (weird I know!).  In the back there were three at least 30 ft tall maples & during the summer months we were shielded from seeing their homes (somewhat).  I cursed the “new seedlings” that would fall from these trees which caused more weeding for me & my husband strongly disliked the fall clean up of leaves that fell into our gardens.  Wishing someday those trees would be chopped down.
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When I was creating my gardens, I read to embraced the neighbors landscape as a backdrop for my vision & what I wanted to create in my small garden space. doing so, on the backside and side yard, I planted more of an “understory” garden because of the wet shaded garden beds…
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024Well last week, I came home to our neighbor in the blue house cutting their trees down…
and then this week the neighbors behind us cut down those huge maples…so there goes my back drop and garden design I had in mind and was working around. 
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Now look at my backyard…I’m really in a fishbowl!
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Not only does this change dramatically effect the look of my backyard, it dramatically changes the lighting exposure, soil, and plants that should be back in the garden beds…hoping that most of my shrubs and trees and perennials will make it in their current location!  I’m sure I will keep you posted!
Linking up to Cottage Flora Thursday’s (party will be post at 7pm) with this Garden Post. To see where I am linking to this week – please check my “Cottage Links” label…xoxo, tracie

Comments

NanaDiana said…
Tracie- How awful! You almost feel violated! I can't imagine what those neighbors were thinking! It took away all of their privacy too! Crazy- some people are just crazy! That's why I don't let my husband TOUCH a saw! Amen!!! xxoo Diana
Betty said…
Oh my goodness what a drastic change. Good luck with your plants, hopefully they will make it through or you will find another place to put them.
nanniepannie said…
Wow, that sucks! Maybe they heard what a wonderful garden you had and wanted to see it better. Do you have any idea why both neighbors got the chop down bug???
Oh no Tracie.. I feel so bad for you. Wonder what they were thinking? My back neighbor cut down his leyland cypress (instead of treating them for worms) last year leaving us staring at the side of his house and yard. I have planted some new ones but as my husband reminded me.. I will be old by the time they grow large again. I am thinking of a privacy fence but will still see the top of the house. Hope your plants make it.
Jennifer said…
Very envious! Your yard is gorgeous!
Jen
Scissors & Spatulas
Unknown said…
Tracie, Stay positive..it's too late to stop what happened. So sad. Dont let it wreack your love of gardening. In a few days, after the shock has worn off, I'm sure you will find something positive about this. Good thoughts and prayers for you...
I have your good friends button on my side bar...even my sister spoke to me about this..
Hugs...
I often wonder how I would feel if my neighbours cut their trees in their backyard! They give us most of the privacy there.

I would be very disappointed much like you, but then would have to find a solution - without violence!! :) :)

Hope it all works out well for you.
Pam x
Arabella said…
I would be so upset - why would they both do such a thing? I'm such a lover of trees that it always makes me sad when they are cut down. Hope your plants transition okay to the new light etc.
Naturally Carol said…
What a terrrible thing to happen to you...your garden looked wonderful with the big trees behind it. Do you know why they all chopped all of their trees down? What an unusual thing to happen, most people would trim them or just take a rotten one out.
Gatsbys Gardens said…
Tacie,

This is certainly a before and after picture. You had such a wonderful private garden. I am sure you will make the best of it probably with some plant changes.

Eileen
LindyLouMac said…
Whoops! Change so dramatic is always difficult to cope with, but sure you will adjust and move on. See it as an opportunity to experiment with some different plantings, but also I hope your existing plants will survive the new environment.
Crystal said…
That's horrible!! I would be sooo upset! I'm sure all the plants will be fine!
Ricki Treleaven said…
I am so sorry, Tracie! I bet they are nosy looky-loos, and want to enjoy the beauty of your garden, too, LOL (Just kidding.)

~Ricki Jill
Oh no! What were they thinking? I wonder if they are regretting it. Your yard is just stunning, with or without the backdrop, it's beautiful!
Julie Marie said…
Oh Tracie, I am always so sad when a tree is cut down, anywhere... I'm so sorry that happened to you and your gardens... here's hoping all of your beautiful plants survive and I know with your tender loving care, they will... xoxo Julie Marie
Oh wow that is crazy...I can only imagine how you feel, I want to cry for you...I know you will find a wonderful and even more beautiful solution over time....Makes me so glad we have no neighbors to be concerned about in this manner.

Blessings Kelsie
Oh no! How horible...why would they cut down all those lovely trees. I can understand pruning them of limbing them up, but to comepletely cut them down...horrible. I am so sorry.
Becca's Dirt said…
Wow what a difference a few trees make. I see what you mean. The once shade garden is now a sun garden. I hate when people cut trees down unless they are diseased. It takes a long time for a tree to get big. I love your back yard.
Darla said…
You don't have your backdrop, but your garden area is still very lovely. Maybe you could plant some type of tree in there???
Anne said…
Oh damn! Hate when that happens. My initial suggestion (given without really thinking about it) is to plant pine trees -- they grow really fast. But I'll give it more thought... in the meantime, as everyone says, you still have a gorgeous garden to enjoy!
Tricia said…
Oh no! It's like night and day back there. Did new people move into the house behind you or something? I wonder why they decided to cut the trees down. Maybe you'll have to do a little rearranging and plant a few trees of your own.

~tricia
Your back yard doesn't look as cozy but still beautiful and green

I am so sorry they cut those trees down

I have a neighbor doing the same thing in his front yard and other neighbors stopped and ask him what the ? are you cutting those trees down for?

they are from another country and like the open yards ?????

now I know why he wants all my back yard tress down. Well It ain't happening I told him

he said IT LOOK BETTER WITH TREES DOWN

NOT
Unknown said…
Oh no! I'm sure most things will adapt, but I can only imagine the shock you must have felt to come home to that. Yikes!
Oh Tracie! I feel your pain...and the beautiful maples.
xo
Caroline
Hi Tracie, Happy to be linking to your party today! Thanks for encouraging other visits. I can't believe what a difference the removal of those trees made to your yard. It looked like you had a beautiful backdrop. I hope your plants will do okay. Good news, though, your arborvitae will get a lot taller. Our Emerald Green arborvitae are 12-15 ft. tall.
Love your gardens and home.
~ Julie
Jeannie B. said…
Oh My Gosh!!! I can't think of anything worse!

But think of the beautiful Rose Garden you can have!!
I think they did that because your yard is so pretty they wanted to see in!
Unknown said…
That's a shame. Those trees were so pretty. Our neighbor just cut down two but it was a good thing. One of them was crowding out my sky rocket juniper. You are such a talented landscape artist, I'm sure you will think of something.
That is such a shame. Any idea why they cut so many down? Your garden is still gorgeous. I hope everything does well with the extra lighting.
Oh my goodness!!! You must have been just sick! I can't believe they would do that!?!

Your garden is just so beautiful! Don't worry you'll overcome this! :)

I feel for you though.....


xoxo,
Shellagh
Anonymous said…
WHAAAAAAAAA WHAAAAAAAAAA

I cannot believe the difference!
It does not even look like the same yard.

Why? Why? Would they get rid of such beautiful trees?

I am sad for you.
Oh my.
I hope your stuff survives and you can find some quick growing trees!
Hi Tracie
This is a very dramatic change for you. The privacy is gone and as you said, your light requirements will be different for plants now too.
Our tree line at the back is cedars and spruce and all of them in decline. I can see our neighbour chopping them all down one day too. :-(
Judith
Unknown said…
Awwwwww! I'm sad for you ;*( I get the "fishbowl" thing...Our neighbors built up and up on top of their garage, and now we have no privacy in my once private space;( So, planted several trees and changed things up. There's the "Big Tree" nursery here in Snohomish, hmmmmm...
xo
deb
Marguerite said…
I guess they don't have to but I'm surprised your neighbours didn't say anything to warn you before they cut those trees down. What a dramatic difference in how your yard looks now.
BECKY said…
What a dramatic change. It just made my heart sink for you. You have a wonderful eye for beauty, and there will be a transition time, but I am confident that you will be able to do something that brings joy to you when you look out there! Maybe plant a couple of trees that you love yourself. I think it might be worth it to give you back your privacy. Your garden is still beautiful!!

Hugs,
Becky

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