I started straightening up my screened porch over the weekend now that the horrible yellow pollen isn’t everywhere.
My porch is divided into a dining area and a seating area so I started working on the seating area first.
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I bought this blue scrolly rug at TJMaxx because my husband didn’t like the beach matty one I got at Cost Plus World Market last year (you can see it here) but it’s really too small. I think I’m going to move it under the dining table since that rug has seen better days anyway and look for a better size for this area.
This is my seat – I get the chaise!
I painted the fleurs many years ago. I like to keep some ball jars in it and fill it with flowers or bits of plants that I’m rooting.
I bought two new pillows at Target. Outdoor pillows get so dirty! Even in a more or less protected area like this porch. I’ve never been able to really get them clean so I wind up tossing them every few years and starting over.
This is the birdcage I found at Goodwill last year. It has driftwood, starfish and shells in it at the moment.
I’m going to work on the dining side this week I don’t really have too much to do – just getting rid of a piece of furniture and I found two chippy shutters that I want to use somehow. One of them is VERY chippy so I’m going to have to do something about that before I can hang them.
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I am going to take a little blog break.
This is the reason why.
My neighborhood has a Colonial Pipeline easement running through it (Colonial Pipeline is a refined petroleum pipeline). To make a long sad story short – they have the right of way in the back 20 feet of my property. A few weeks ago they came through and told us that they were going to do row maintenance so they can fly the right of way by air to inspect the pipe line.
See all the trees that used to be there.
They have been flying over and walking the pipeline in our yards for as long as we’ve lived here so why they have to cut everything to ground all of a sudden is a mystery to us all. According to my neighbors, the last time they came through to do any sort of tree trimming was over 20 years ago! And then they hardly touched anything AND they provided replacement shrubs and trees when they did have to remove anything.
Not this time. We are all left to figure out how we’re going to replant. We have a list of “approved” plants. But no funds were given to us to purchase new plants.
To cut it so low at this time of year…they might as well have cut it to the ground with everything else.
Now it just looks like devastation! It’s so horrible – we are all just in shock. They gave us such short notice we couldn’t even organize to oppose it which I’m sure was their plan.
Anyway, they might as well have cut my arms off. I’m so sick about the whole thing. My entire fence line border is gone with the exception of a few plants. To top it off – our fence was never meant to be seen. It was put in after all the plants were mature and we had to work around tree roots and prickly hollies. It was just meant to block out the house behind us which is a rental.
AND they didn’t even grind all the stumps they left making it doubly hard to re-plant. What a really horrible horrible company!
So now I have to figure out what to do. So I’m taking the rest of the week off. I’ve got to go take a look at these “approved” plants and see what I can do with them – apparently the plants now can’t be higher than 4 ft! Plus I have to get quotes from fencing companies to fix the existing fence and extend it all the way now that my neighbors don’t have any trees either.
Ugh! Those of you that know me know that I am just heart sick about the whole thing. I feel violated.
That is just awful. I had a friend that is so upset over the same thing. She lives on an island in Flordia. They cut down palm trees and orchids. They will be replaced by a tall building.
I just say Lorax last night. What a good message it was about cutting down the trees. I never heard of them cutting down so they could fly to check on things. Near us I recently noticed piles of logs that a long ways back for power lines…..probably something like that.
There should be some rights about this. I can’t belive they left stumps. Those are so expensive to remove. I would really try to get them to pay for that at least. Is the short trimmed tree in front alive. I would be so stinkin mad.
So sorry. (((((HUGS))))
I am so sorry! That is so wrong the way the company handled the situation. Think I would get a replacement/repair cost estimate together and file a formal complaint and bill against the company. The way they handled the situation was wrong.
So sorry Manuela. the same thing happened in our neighborhood when the electric company declared no trees near any of their lines. They came and chopped them down so fast we were in shock. What a difference – no shade and we still get crappy electrical service. Hoping you get some pretty things that will grow in quickly.
Oh no! We had a fence crisis this past week, too, when our neighbors had the fence between us replaced without letting us know (I came back from Costco to find the fence gone) and all of the crape myrtles butchered (like your neighbors) on their side, and all of my vining plants on our side ripped down, and my irises trampled to the ground right before blooming! — but nothing compared to your level of destruction. I am sooo sorry.
Nandinas would stay close to 4 or 5 ft, grow quick, are evergreen, cheap, easy, abuse tolerant, and have those great berries in the winter for wildlife. Itea and frothergilla also stay around 4 or 5 ft, but they are deciduous. If it’s at all sunny there, or even part sunny, you could do a mixed berry border which would actually benefit from a good cut back every number of years.
Oh my goodness! I wouldn’t expect that from neighbors!!! I’d have a fit!
Oddly, blueberries are not allowed. I suppose I could do blackberries and it would serve them right having to get into brambles to cut them down!
Yes, nandina is an approved plan but not my favorite. I’ll have to look into fothergilla – those are so pretty! I’m hoping to find shrubs that are evergreen. I really didn’t want a “landscaped” looking border. I liked my border – it was a mix of things – trees, shrubs, grasses. They say roses are acceptable. I’m thinking of doing a bunch of knockout roses – they grow pretty fast here and I have one that’s over 5 ft tall!
I am simply appalled on your behalf. How awful. Perhaps it’s not too late to band together and get some funds for replacements at least. This is outrageous.
At least you have a wonderful cozy porch.
Oh no! I know you love your yard and your plantings and it would devastate me to have that happen to my yard so I can only imagine!
What about Gardenia’s? Or Camillia’s? Tea olive’s are one of my favorites but maybe they get too tall?
I had 1 gardenia back there and they let me keep it but cut it to 4 ft. My Tea Olive they cut to the ground. Camilla’s are not allowed for some reason. I don’t know why some things are allowed and some aren’t. It’s all just crazy!
So sorry you lost your trees,that is terrible ! That crepe myrtle was beautiful ! I love your porch!
So sorry about your trees, Manuela.
The porch is looking great. I just ador the wicker and the birdcage and the things that you have there. It is so welcoming and pretty.
Oh, how awful! I can totally understand your feelings. It takes a lot of years for trees to grow and fill in and to have someone come in and mow them down without much warning is terrible.
On a brighter note, your porch is so pretty. The chaise looks like the ideal spot to sit and relax.
I spent several hours over the weekend scrubbing pollen off of our patio furniture. So glad to see it gone.
Oh my goodness, this post of yours has just made me ill. I am grieving for you! That is awful! We have issues with our electric company too whenever they come on our farm to trim around the lines that go over our backyard. They came last year and I was just sick over the lost trees. I really feel for you and I am hoping things grow and fill out your space quickly.
~cathy
Oh that is just SAD! I live in the middle of a BUNCH of trees and that is why I moved here! I know that you are very unhappy about this and I am sorry! A couple of years ago, the power company came thru and sprayed up by the road to keep the trees from growing into the power lines! I pitched a fit because the trees that they sprayed couldn’t reach the power lines EVER! It didn’t do a bit of good but I felt better! So sorry Manuela that they took your pretty trees down:( Your porch is looking beautiful! HUGS!
Oh, Manuela, this makes me so sad…and I’d feel totally violated, too. I’ll be praying that God will do something good out of this situation. Remember that He is bigger than a mean, inconsiderate company!!! A blogging break sounds good!!! Keep us updated on how the situation progresses. I’ll definitely be praying. Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 😉 🙂 🙂
That is so awful, Manuela. I’m so sorry. I know you will find a way to make it beautiful again, but the fact that you HAVE to do that is maddening. 🙁 A big hug for you!
How awful that all those trees were cut down! I’d be heart sick, too. On a positive note, I love your screened porch. Looks like a lovely place to sit and relax.
OH MY!…I don’t hardly know what I could say to make you feel better. 🙁 I would be heartbroken too. One can replant flowers and even some shrubs and see a difference in less than 2 years…but it takes years to get a tree to a certain size and maturity. 🙁 I am so sorry for you…sending you a {{{hug}}}… There’s just GOT to be something positive to come out of all this…I know you. You will find the way and means and get your wheels turning to make that lemonade out of lemons. But for now you go ahead and mourn your beautiful foliage and natural privacy screen.. I’ll stand there and cry with you.( in kindred spirit sisterhood!) We had the power company come and “clean up” the trees and branches out in front of our picket fence one year (power line clearance – city right of way) and that year so MUCH of my orange and red and yellow flaming colors were gone in the Fall….disappeared…poof. 🙁 I know how you feel. Take your break, sit on your LOVELY porch and draw up your plans that will make your yard pretty once again…I know you will! Thinking of you! xoxo
Your porch looks darling Manuela :o)
I’m so sorry that you’ve lost all of those beautiful trees. It’s so unfair that these folks can come along and cause such devastation legally. I hope you are able to make it more to your liking without stressing too much. At least you have that gorgeous porch to enjoy.
Sending a {hug}
Rose H
That’s horrible, Manuela! This may be the sort of thing where you and your neighbors need to come together and get a petition or something going to have them at least replant with the “approved plantings”. I don’t think you all should have to shoulder that expense now. We had an easement at the back side of our property at our old house, too. It affected the back of three houses, including ours, No one ever came through from any agency in the 21 years I lived there.
On a nice note, your porch looks great. I love your new pillows and had to deal with the same thing with our screened gazebo. Even if I washed the pillows or cushions, they still never came totally clean.
Oh no!! I would be just as heart sick about that. I can’t believe that they took it ALL down and that they didn’t offer any reimbursement to replant. I know whatever you do, it will bring back the beauty, but I’m standing in agreement with you that it just doesn’t seem right or fair. (You didn’t say those words, but I will.)
Love your screened porch. I would trade our rarely used deck for a screened porch any day of the year.
Come back soon!
What a shame that they took your beautiful trees down! So inconsiderate, just sickening!
I hope you can plant some knock-out roses or something that will look pretty right away and grow fast! But I know you’ll think of something and have it looking swell in no time. Just seems like a lot of hard work, and so unfair!
At least, you’ve got a very nicely decorated and comfy-looking screened porch to relax in and enjoy!
Hugs! Linda
What a beautiful porch! And I am so sorry for the devastation they left behind! I am fairly certain the easement does not give them the right to decimate your property and they have clearly affected the value of your property and the trees and shrubs that they removed. Most easements generally only give them a right of access. First off, I would contact the company and try to convince them to make it right. If that fails, I would contact your local government to see if they have any ability to make it right. And if that fails, I would contact an attorney to review the easement and see if they had the right to do this. If not, you should be able to recover damages to help you restore the area. Good luck!!
This is a long comment but I’d like to share our experience with this.
We live on a lake across from a power plant. The high voltage power lines go across the edge of our property & they fly over to check them often. There’s a huge ravine from the lake along our drive. The lines go over the ravine, our drive & a big swath of our yard. They keep the ravine cleaned out & we aren’t allowed to plant anything that grows taller than four feet under or within so many yards on each side of the lines. (During storms the electricity from the lines can arc to trees on each side so the leeway is pretty large.)
Anyway, for years they sprayed the ravine with chemicals & just left it all standing there dead. There would be dead trees & it looked awful. They always warned us when they were going to spray so I’d keep my pets locked up for days to keep them out of the chemicals. Thankfully, they changed. This year when they cleaned they actually cut & shredded everything. The crew foreman came by twice & walked through the yard with me explaining what had to be done & why. They worked here for about two weeks, were very respectful of our property & willingly answered any questions I had.
We also have just regular power lines from a different electric company, the one that supplies electricity to our house. We never plant under them but there is one small strip where our land connects with our neighbour’s. Our side is about 3 acres of woodland & their side is their yard. This company has always trimmed or cut trees – never sprayed chemicals to clean under the lines. We’ve only had one time in over 20 yrs living here, that they cut trees with not thought at all. We followed their chain of command to complain & make sure it never happened again – it was pretty devastating & they left a much bigger mess than you have. When they trimmed this year they let me walk the line with them. We talked about which trees they had to cut & they marked trees that I didn’t want cut. They left all the dogwood & redbud for me, even if it was close (but not under) the line. They went tree by tree for me. They also cleaned up some trees that had damage (extra work they really weren’t required to do!)
All that to say I’ve never worked with a gas company. I’ve found that the two power companies I’ve had to deal with over the years have gone out of their way to keep the lines clear & safe for customers without running over the land owners. (We have lots of ice storms so they clear lines at least every other yr here) At the same time, we as the landowners have tried to be good neighbours by keeping things clear under the lines as well as we could.
I also always meet the workers when they’re on my land. I show them where the outdoor water faucets are to fill their water jugs. I tell them how much I appreciate them clearing lines so I don’t have to worry about losing power during ice storms. I let them know how much I appreciate them working around trees I want to save, knowing it’s much easier on them to just clear it all out. I tell them they’re welcome to get water or enjoy a comfortable spot in my yard for their breaks. After doing this for so many yrs I think the workers go out of their way to take care of our trees for us. We have enough land that they usually work around us for a few weeks at a time.
I know how devastated you feel. The one time we had such bad communication I was in tears when I saw full grown trees cut to the ground & all the pieces just left for us to clean up ourselves. (One was a wild mulberry tree we’d picked berries from for years) We had taken a month long vacation & so we weren’t here when they came through to tell us they were coming, then we weren’t here when they actually cut – no excuse for them but it’s why I think it was so bad.
I am so sorry this has happened to you. My advice it to try to look forward. You have the perfect spot now for a gorgeous sun garden. You can still have some beautiful life growing there that will help you heal.
OMGoodness, Manuela, what an awful thing for this Petroleum company to do, it’s outrageous that they would strip your yards like that and not replace anything!
I’m so sorry for you, I know how carefully you have tended your yard. Ugh, it makes me sick to think of.
I do love your screened in porch, it’s so pretty with the lovely draperies. I LOVE the rug you put in last year, it is very pretty, the colors so vibrant, too bad you can’t use it. Oh well, things could be worse, I’m sure.
Have a wonderful week and I hope you find something that works in your gardens.
Hugs, Cindy
I know exactly how you feel. We had the power company go by here in the fall to clear the lines, I have a beautiful line of blue spruces in the front of my house. They were about 30 ft tall, the crew came by and cut off the tops of each and every one of them, why they had to cut them so low I cannot understand, they look hideous now, I stayed inside and cried while the chainsaw was working, these workers are not exactly arborists, they just hacked away and they continued in the same manner all along our road. Its really heartbreaking.
That is Horrible! I’m so sorry, you must feel absolutely victimized by those jackholes!
This just makes me feel ill, Manuela. I’m very sorry.
I’m really jealous of your porch, though. Sigh. Someday.
How horrible! I can only imagine how sick you are. One of the final factors in us making the move to SC was that TVA used imminent domain to purchase much of the property surrounding ours as well as all but 19 of the 66 acres we shared with hubby’s grandparents. It’s horrible what these companies think can do and not care about feelings!
Your porch does look lovely. I adore the colors you have added and your foxglove are beautiful as well! I can wait to see what you do with the shutters. It’ll be lovely I am sure!
I hope your spirit improves. You have such a knack for creating beautiful spaces, so I know you’ll come up with something great for the fence row.
Oh I’m so sorry! We have the electric company come through here once every other year and take down all the trees along powerlines in the fields and such. Since our field is so overgrown it’s just as well, but if they did that in my YARD I’d be mighty upset!
*gulp*
I think I’m going to v o m i t … I am SO SORRY! I simply cannot beLIEVE this and am also in shock. Along with your neighbors! This is HORRIBLE with a capital Huh!
Could you not petition with your neighbors to expect at least what they did LAST time they did this kind of “maintenance”?
Shocking. So AWFULLY shocking! I am sooooo sorry, Manuela. Ahem, “ENJOY” your blog break. I sure wish it was for any other POSITIVE, restful reason than this!
Such a shame! So sorry Manuela. I do covet your screened porch. Mimi
We have a gasline easement near us and they clear cut it a couple of years ago. Most of the stuff has since regrown, even the trees though they will never be as pretty as they were before, and it will take many more years before they are big again. However, with the roots so established, the trees are already about 20′ tall.
I am SO sorry about your land and trees. That is just horrible. I am a tree-hugger and hate to see any trees cut down, but especially on people’s land that they have cultivated for years. That crepe myrtle was just gorgeous. Big businesses just seem to care about themselves and not the little people like us. Don’t lose heart though. I am sure there are some great plants and shrubs and small trees you can find. Give it time and hopefully your land will be beautiful again.
We had something similar when the rural electric company went through and cut tree limbs WAY back. They left trees looking horrible.
There were so many complaints that they changed their practice. They now come by ahead of time and tell you what trees they are cutting and where they want to cut. They did it for us just a month or so ago.
Ours is different because our rural electric company is a co-op and does listen to the people. I would take before (whatever you have) and after pictures and send them to your representative in congress. What they did may have been legal but it is pushing it to the extreme.