Be careful when pruning
It started like many of my weekday mornings in winter, with tree pruning. The trees are dormant and because there is no lawn care, we have time to prune branches off buildings. That was my goal for the day. I had to cover a few lines of backyards and check for any encroachment.
Branches growing too close to buildings get insurance agents excited; and on windy days they make noise as they repeatedly hit the houses. They also allow small animals like squirrels to get on the roof. Not too long ago I had to prune a Magnolia tree because squirrels were using it to access the roof. But more on that later in another blog post.
Paperbark maple
I took some branches off one Paperbark maple (Acer griseum) and then noticed a low lilac (Syringa) branch touching the maple close to the ground. So, I pruned it off. We don’t want shrubs and trees rubbing; and lilac stems along the ground don’t look very good. Ideally, we have a nice upright lilac shrub.
As soon as I pruned off the lilac stem, the sliding doors opened and the owner inquired about my intentions in her yard. So, I explained about my tree pruning but the owner was worried about her lilac. I assured her I had no intention of removing it, which was her fear.
Values
Relieved, the owner mentioned that the shrub I had just pruned is named Jerry. She planted it as a small baby plant. It was a gift from her uncle who passed away two weeks after giving it to her!
This is the point of this blog post: it’s not just a flowering shrub. People form attachments with their plants, so thread lightly. You never know when you’ll encounter another Jerry.
I have seen enraged seniors, barely able to push their walkers, trying to chase down landscapers who pruned their roses by mistake! It wasn’t just another rose bush; it was a gift from family in England.
Conclusion
Be careful when you prune in people’s backyards for the first time. Ask your superiors for any no-go zones. And talk to the owners first. People can be attached to their trees and shrubs. The last thing you want is upset clients.
I haven’t been back, but I suspect Jerry will flower nicely just like last year, enveloping the owner’s patio with its fragrance.
