Linden Tree

I took this photo of the Linden tree that stands outside my house, a week ago.  Today the tree is almost devoid of leaves.  I do love the last burst of glory before the tree falls into its winter sleep.  I have loved the autumn colours this year but not spent nearly enough time out in nature watching the leaves turn from greens to golds. 

I am a little melancholy today for things that could have been.  Sometimes I find it hard to see a way forward other than to just keep going until the fog clears.

The Arrival

The plum tree is blossoming.  Spring has arrived.

Magnolia

This pretty pink Magnolia in a neighbour's garden caught my eye.  From a distance the flower shape reminds me of Water Lilies.

I will announce the winner of my giveaway next week.  Have a good weekend. x

Stark

Today the council came and pruned the Linden tree that stands on the pavement outside my house.  It is a necessary job that is carried out on a two year cycle.  Now the tree can concentrate on its root energy and build up its resources for the following year.

The picture above looks surreal to me.  I took it in natural daylight without any photographic tricks (not that I know how to do photographic tricks!)  I think the phone wires give additional interest to the composition!

November has been a depressing month thus far.  I seem to be wishing my life away at the moment thinking that each day will be better than the one here right now.  I am trying very hard to put a positive spin on each day for it is said 'carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero' seize the day, trust as little as possible in tomorrow.

Tree Hugger

I am not a tree hugger but I could easily be. This beautiful Linden tree stands outside my house.It provides privacy between my house and those across the road. I like to watch as it changes throughout the seasons. The leaves were beginning to turn from green to a golden yellow and each day a few more leaves would fall from the tree revealing the sky up through the branches.

Today I felt sad. I woke up to the sound of a chainsaw. The local council had come to give the tree its annual prune. I say 'prune' but they chopped it to within an inch of its life. No leaves remain. It's natural shedding of leaves has stopped abruptly. The tree now stands as an ugly black silhouette devoid of life among its branches.

The birds can no longer use it for refuge. The wood pigeons used to like to hide inside it as did the blue tits and squirrels.

Why oh why do so many people have to interfere with nature? I believe the only reason for pruning it, was so that they don't have so many leaves to sweep up. All our local trees have been pruned. They look so ugly now without the softness of the leaves. The changing leaves that led us gently from one season to the next.

It now looks as though it has become winter overnight. The jagged silhouette of the trees look almost threatening against the bleak grey sky. It is as though the trees are angry at being butchered in this way.

Unless the trees are a danger, I think they should be left alone.