My wonderful cutters that Christine, my daughter gave me for Christmas two years ago. Available from Lee Valley.
A close up of the cutting blade and the ratchet head.
Some tall tops that I couldn't reach from this side of the hedge even with the long handles. That hedge was wide and still is.
The top is taller than the ladder. I save a few to decorate with lights for outdoors. You can clearly see that the hedge needed to be cut down...
George took pity on me with the last 12 feet of the hedge and came with his chainsaw. He was a little trigger happy with the cutting. Not as level as I had hoped for. The branches were flying. lol...
I shouldn't complain and I'm thankful that he came to finish the end of the hedge because my right shoulder was starting to hurt some. It should be easier to trim the branches in the spring now.
This is part of the mess to be cleaned up and that spruce is murder on the skin.
The mess is cleaned up. This is what used to be my vegetable garden. Now it's full of daylilies that will hopefully grow comes spring if the river doesn't overflow it's banks and wash all my top soil away again.In a way, I'm glad that the lawnmower didn't start or I would have never started cutting the hedge. At least the hornets didn't bother me one bit. The only stings I got were from the sharp spruce needles. Now the grounds are frozen and too rough for cutting grass.
I hope that you enjoyed a peek in my backyard.
Next time, maybe I'll show my many dormant flower beds. Some still weedy and some cleaned up and replanted. I really need a companion gardener to take care of all those flower beds.
Thanks for visiting and have a safe and restful week.
JB
Those branches were probably sticky as well. Glad you got rescued at the end. That was alot of work but it looks much better. Now go inside and rest.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you're sooo glad you're finished with that job. Looks nice! It reminds me of our neighbor's hedge...I think he called it a "Fitzer". He used to spend days cutting it by hand, until a few years ago he had it cut down. It was a great windbreak, and was at least ten feet wide and very thorny.
ReplyDeleteTools with ratchet heads are the BEST! First time I used one I was amazed at how much easier it was to cut thicker pieces than with just a regular pruner. You did one heck of a fantastic job on those hedges... and you've more than "earned" a day of restful hooking! If I lived closer... I'd help with the gardens... great way to keep in shape and so much more interesting and rewarding than jumping up and down in front of a VCR wearing spandex!!! lol! ;-)
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ReplyDeleteI'll try again...You did a great job...the hedge looks terrific. I agree, you deserve a day of hooking and staying warm. What an accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Robyn
That is a beautiful hedge but I can see the upkeep is a real job. You did great trimming it and it looks very nice. Glad you got some help on the high part. I did enjoy the peek into your backyard. Hugs
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Julia! It's so nice to head into the winter with a neat and clean yard. Hope your shoulder is okay. Sarah
ReplyDeleteWell, the hedges looked fine in their natural unruly way ... BUT if you want them nice and trimmed ... then I'm glad you got the job done. Nothing like the feeling of accomplishment. George looks extremely happy.'
ReplyDeletehahaaa... men
That is a big hedge. It does look nice now, but that was hard work for you. Too bad George hadn't come out sooner. But better late than never!
ReplyDeleteI think Santa needs to get someone her own chain saw for Christmas! Nice job! As someone who has many pine trees..I understand the "sting" of the pine! You have a beautiful yard and all those daylilies will look fabulous in the Spring!
ReplyDeleteWow, That hedge was huge!!!My arm is hurting just looking at it. Julia you are a wonder,Hugs Cheri
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