A Big Comeback for the Hydrangea ~ Loss of the Ash Trees


Last Fall I pruned this hydrangea shrub so that it looked like a crooked little stick standing in the garden. I don't know exactly what I was thinking at the time but it seems that the shrub did not do well last year and maybe I secretly did not care whether it grew back this year or not. It was quite a surprise to see the numerous large flowers on the bush. Some branches seem to be on the verge of breaking under the weight of the blooms. 

There are some small ash trees near the hill at the back of the property and they have been infested by the Emerald Ash borer. The D shaped exit wounds in the bark are good evidence as to why the small trees are dying. These smaller trees are under the canopy of a huge tall, perhaps 80 feet or so, double trunk ash tree. The tree has a huge girth and two huge trunks extending from the bottom. It imparts a great deal of shade to the yard behind the big barn. It saddens me to see this huge tree dying back bit by bit. The D shaped holes made by the insects can be seen high in the tree where the bark is less rough. Dead branches are starting to show up. 

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