Girls Coffeeshop Talk

[Lion]

Originally Posted by Lisa

When I worked for the tourism department, a park ranger told me the SE Oklahoma wilderness is full of real mountain men. And probably Sasquatch, too.

Lisa, no doubt as that area of Oklahoma is part of the Ozarks and i know must be absolutely gorgeous.....

So how are you Climbing roses doing.....I imagine they must be covered with blooms!!!

[Lisa]

They really had a great flush of blooms earlier, Leo. Now some steady blossoms. They took quite a hit with the hail storms, though, and I lost several big canes so they look beat up in areas. I'd get a pic for you but we have several tree guys giving our four big trees some shaping up and the yard's full of branches (with more falling) at the moment. They even got the vine off of the giant silver maple and it looks gorgeous! I got a pic of it:



This is mostly vine:



Ah, beautiful.



They did that work last week, and today are doing a "reduction" where they go in and carefully pare out dead wood and select branches to reduce the weight of the limbs. It's an art form. The guy doing the work on the maple is from California and he works on the huge Sequoias and Redwoods as well. I think he's well qualified!

[Lisa]

Here's what the maple looked like before, poor thing:

[The Joker]

Wow that tree looks amazing now, and I bet it's relieved to be rid of the vine.

Hope the chickens aren't under that vine.

[Lion]

No problem...I'm just glad they survived your hailstorms. Last year the Co-op I live in ripped down our Climbing Hydrangea off the brick exterior because it was against our Association's rules. And the Head Maintenance man had his staff do it when the Office Mgr. was on a day off and I was out of town. She was quite upset that he did it and he was given a stern talking to for his actions. Well, this year lo and behold I had a bud begin growing on the stump and thought this was great and "poetic justice". But yesterday I found that a creature such as the many raccoons we have in the neighborhood had broken that stem off so now I feel deflated.....

I agree climbing around in large trees with all the safety lines hooked to their person can look very harrowing and dangerous. But these guys really know what they are doing and make it look easy bouncing around up in the trees with chainsaws cutting and branches falling. Definitely not a job I would like to do even though I am smaller(which makes it easier to do)and very strong for my size.....oh and by the way, I do not like heights, no giant Redwoods or Sequoias for me!!!

Take it easy.....Leo

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Wow that tree looks amazing now, and I bet it's relieved to be rid of the vine.

Hope the chickens aren't under that vine.

They kind of were, actually! But they're in their house. The guys covered up the pen with fence panels today to protect them.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Lion

No problem...I'm just glad they survived your hailstorms. Last year the Co-op I live in ripped down our Climbing Hydrangea off the brick exterior because it was against our Association's rules. And the Head Maintenance man had his staff do it when the Office Mgr. was on a day off and I was out of town. She was quite upset that he did it and he was given a stern talking to for his actions. Well, this year lo and behold I had a bud begin growing on the stump and thought this was great and "poetic justice". But yesterday I found that a creature such as the many raccoons we have in the neighborhood had broken that stem off so now I feel deflated.....

I agree climbing around in large trees with all the safety lines hooked to their person can look very harrowing and dangerous. But these guys really know what they are doing and make it look easy bouncing around up in the trees with chainsaws cutting and branches falling. Definitely not a job I would like to do even though I am smaller(which makes it easier to do)and very strong for my size.....oh and by the way, I do not like heights, no giant Redwoods or Sequoias for me!!!

Take it easy.....Leo

Aw, I'm sorry about your hydrangea. I remember you had told me to consider one when I was thinking about what kind of climbing things to plant at our fence. Maybe it will try to come back once more.

You're right about the tree guys being agile. And tough as nails! I really like this guy - he's kind of a hippie, very colorful, and has a great respect - reverence, really - for these big old trees.

[Lion]

When you think about how old these large trees really are you would be amazed. Red or White Oaks which are in the 75 foot to 100 foot range can be 150 to over 200 years old. And you Silver Maple(how tall is it) could easily be over 60+ years old...now thinking about the Giant Northern California Redwoods and Sequoias aren't they over a few thousand years old???

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Lion

When you think about how old these large trees really are you would be amazed. Red or White Oaks which are in the 75 foot to 100 foot range can be 150 to over 200 years old. And you Silver Maple(how tall is it) could easily be over 60+ years old...now thinking about the Giant Northern California Redwoods and Sequoias aren't they over a few thousand years old???

We think our maple is about 75 years old. And I'd guess it's around 75 feet tall.

Not sure about the ages of those Sequoias and Redwoods, Leo, but I did find this link about ancient trees that's quite interesting:

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wil...-the-long-view

I just love trees. I'm a definite tree hugger.

[figbo]

Looks like a beautiful tree now,Lisa.

[Lisa]

Thank you, Raf. I actually had tears in my eyes when I first saw it with the vines removed.

I got a pic of the guy in the tree... see him?

[Art 1]

I'm enjoying the pics, thanks.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Thank you, Raf. I actually had tears in my eyes when I first saw it with the vines removed.

I got a pic of the guy in the tree... see him?

Ohh, it like where's Wally?


Why is he called Waldo in the US?

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Lion

When you think about how old these large trees really are you would be amazed. Red or White Oaks which are in the 75 foot to 100 foot range can be 150 to over 200 years old. And you Silver Maple(how tall is it) could easily be over 60+ years old...now thinking about the Giant Northern California Redwoods and Sequoias aren't they over a few thousand years old???

They way I understand it our oaks here are either a Live Oak and Water Oaks. They only live so long and then when a hurricane comes through they cause major damage.

[The Joker]

Hmmm, he's called where's Willy in Norway. I think he is on the run from the government.

[figbo]

Originally Posted by Art 1

They way I understand it our oaks here are either a Live Oak and Water Oaks. They only live so long and then when a hurricane comes through they cause major damage.

We had a live oak in front of the cul de sac until a lightning struck it,city removed it,it was a beautiful tree,though.

[Lion]

Lisa, thanx for the link it was very enjoyable...one of the oldest species around is Pinus aristata(Bristlecone Pine) where they have found specimens over 4500 years old. And Ginkgo trees(Ginkgo biloba)have been around since the days of the dinosaurs but of course they do not live THAT long.....

A couple of specimen trees I have picked up since last year is a Dwarf Ginkgo biloba 'Mariken' which can get to be 8 or so feet tall and 4-5 feet wide but of course it takes years as they are slow growing and actually are grown to be like a shrub. And where you live you can also grow Ginkgo biloba 'Jade Gardens' which also is a dwarf tree mainly grown as a shrub form and can get 8-10 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Also there is a Taxodium distichum 'Peve Minaret' , which is a Dwarf Bald Cypress tree which can be trained into a tree shape or shrub form and is also slow growing. It can get to be 8-10 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. Both are excellent trees and I am enjoying having them in our Gardens.....

Take it easy.....Leo

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Ohh, it like where's Wally?


Why is he called Waldo in the US?

I dunno. Why is he called Wally in the UK?

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Lion

Lisa, thanx for the link it was very enjoyable...one of the oldest species around is Pinus aristata(Bristlecone Pine) where they have found specimens over 4500 years old. And Ginkgo trees(Ginkgo biloba)have been around since the days of the dinosaurs but of course they do not live THAT long.....

A couple of specimen trees I have picked up since last year is a Dwarf Ginkgo biloba 'Mariken' which can get to be 8 or so feet tall and 4-5 feet wide but of course it takes years as they are slow growing and actually are grown to be like a shrub. And where you live you can also grow Ginkgo biloba 'Jade Gardens' which also is a dwarf tree mainly grown as a shrub form and can get 8-10 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Also there is a Taxodium distichum 'Peve Minaret' , which is a Dwarf Bald Cypress tree which can be trained into a tree shape or shrub form and is also slow growing. It can get to be 8-10 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. Both are excellent trees and I am enjoying having them in our Gardens.....

Take it easy.....Leo

I'd like to see pics of your gardens and trees, Leo.

I'm thinking about a tree for the west side of our house, where in the late afternoons it gets so hot we can't use the patio. The tree guy likes bald cypress, but Phoebe wants to plant an apple tree. I guess the non-dwarf variety would provide some shade. She has started two or three from grocery store apples (Honeycrisp, I think) but I don't know how they would like Oklahoma climate, or even if they're hybrid and wouldn't produce quality fruit. They're about a foot tall now, growing in pots on the porch. Phoebe has a bit of a green thumb.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Lisa

I'd like to see pics of your gardens and trees, Leo.

I'm thinking about a tree for the west side of our house, where in the late afternoons it gets so hot we can't use the patio. The tree guy likes bald cypress, but Phoebe wants to plant an apple tree. I guess the non-dwarf variety would provide some shade. She has started two or three from grocery store apples (Honeycrisp, I think) but I don't know how they would like Oklahoma climate, or even if they're hybrid and wouldn't produce quality fruit. They're about a foot tall now, growing in pots on the porch. Phoebe has a bit of a green thumb.

Here are some cypress trees from around here, Lisa.

[Lisa]

They're quite nice, Art. I like that they grow tall and narrow, but would that provide good shade?

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Lisa

They're quite nice, Art. I like that they grow tall and narrow, but would that provide good shade?

I don't think they would. I planted a sycamore tree a few years ago, they grow very fast and have large leaves. When the rain stops later I'll take a pic of it and post it. I love those trees.

[dbelle7]

Originally Posted by The Joker

This is Carl the last time his family said, Son let's go and visit the forest.

[dbelle7]

Originally Posted by Lisa

When I worked for the tourism department, a park ranger told me the SE Oklahoma wilderness is full of real mountain men. And probably Sasquatch, too.

You have to be a little bit careful in SE OK. It's a different world down there in some really remote areas. They don't take too kindly to 'outsiders'. 'insert 'Dueling Banjos' here

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by dbelle7

You have to be a little bit careful in SE OK. It's a different world down there in some really remote areas. They don't take too kindly to 'outsiders'. 'insert 'Dueling Banjos' here

World of difference going over to that part of the state from OKC or Stillwater....went once on a Geology field trip at OSU and that was enough for me.

[kcmo]

Hellloo everyone...love these tree photos! Nature can be so beautiful!

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by The Joker

And you, you can't go 2 seconds without TRF.

That's merely because they asked me to keep an eye on you Wes, I have to step up my game if I want to follow you around!

Originally Posted by Lion

Wes...you are way to funny this morning(just for you afternoon), what is work boring today???

Zing*****************

How could he find work boring Leo? Obviously he doesn't work as he's on TRF posting jokes about people who are on...TRF...

Irony, isn't it beautiful?

Originally Posted by The Joker

This is Carl the last time his family said, Son let's go and visit the forest.

Don't try to make us believe you are more of a forest/nature man than me Wes, we all remember the hard time you had with your lawn...

[Art 1]

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by Art 1

It's raining here Art, looks like it's about to in your neck of the woods as well...

[Lisa]

Wes and Carl are cracking me up!