Over the years, especially more recently as I have begun to crystalise my own thoughts and views, opinions and ideas, I have come to realise the importance of the grander scheme of things. No man is an island, there is total interdependence between everything that exists on earth - the ripple effect of a stone thrown into water, or the butterfly effect.
This was brought into sharp focus for me at the end of last week, when I discovered my neighbour wobbling about in one of his apple trees wielding a chain saw (flimsy ladder, no safety gear, him alone, to boot.......)
I have lived here for over 12 years now, and every year, his fruit trees have given bountiful crops - left to rot on the ground - apples and plums. I have had some of them a couple of times, but not recently, and not given with good grace, so I didn't enjoy them as I should, and didn't ask again. We now have our own trees. He mowed over the apples with his mower, or just left them to rot where they fell. He could have heaped them into a barrow, wheeled it around to the front for others to help themselves (or pay for them) - share the bounty, especially if you don't want it, or have no need for it all.
They will be the ones down at Sainsbury queuing to pay for their plastic bags full of apples.............
Now, I realise that it's his property, as are the trees, and technically he has a right to do with them what he sees fit. However, what about the grander scheme of things?
Those trees were thickly covered with blossom in the spring - a haven for bees and other insects; sources of nectar and pollen; birds nested, hid, played and courted in them; the fruit provided food for birds and wasps, other insects; the living trees provided shelter and homes for myriad insects and other wild life. A microcosm of life on earth, a little micro biodiversity in a world increasingly becoming covered in tarmac for cars, houses and gravelled over gardens.
Have they not heard of the struggle of bees? Of wildlife? Lack of trees? Importance of keeping older varieties alive (not that I'm sure what these were, but...)? Being self-reliant in food? Sharing abundance? Millions of people starving in the world?How many forms of life, apart from man depend absolutely on trees? Global warming and climate change? Habitat destruction?
Apparently not.
I could go on, but I don't need to.
As I look out of my landing window, over to the fields and woods, my eye is drawm to the ugly destruction he has wreaked on these lovely trees. He's not known for his gardening prowess, and has just lopped the tops off them, left lying sadly all over the garden in untidy piles. No doubt he will return to his deathly ways and remove them completely.
What a sad and tragic end for beautiful trees. My heart breaks.
9 comments:
Yes, that is what machines do for you. I bet he wouldn't have been so hasty if he had to use a hand saw.
Mores the pity.
Wicked waste.
This is such a sad post, as you say the apple trees are a source not only of beauty but of life for many, many small creatures which in their turn are vital for our continued existence. It's incredible that in this day and age people are still so totally unaware of the results of actions like this.
I know just how you feel! I hate to see the pointless destruction of trees and all to often I witness it and I find it terribly upsetting. Recently some trees nearby were cut down for no apparent reason than the person who owned them was fed up with them... and yet I have over the years enjoyed watching wonderful bird life in those trees and a place for the birds to roost at nights...
It is such a shame. I hate to see any type of tree needlessly destroyed.
It is so sad what people will do in the name of convenience.
This makes me so, so sad - not only for the destruction of the trees, and the consequent destruction of a habitat, but some of us absolutely LONG for the kind of place where we can grow fruit trees to support not only ourselves but the wildlife too!
Argh...some people just don't know how lucky they are, and for them to just destroy it...I really have no words :(
Sadly, I think there are a lot of people who don't see the bigger picture and who just concentrate on how things affect them. It sounds like your neighbour is one of these people. What a shame that he couldn't even give away the fruits and preferred to let them rot on the ground.
BTW, thank you for your comment and advice on sock knitting. I seem to be getting something sock shaped as I knit, which I see as a major achievement! :)
Thankyou for all your comments. I've spent teh afternoon plotting whilst knitting as top how I can shoe horn in another two apples and a plyu here, to make up for their short-sighted ignorant ways. I'll find somewhere LOL
My pleasure, brightandnew; there's a How To at Creative Living if you would like a look, might be of help; there should be one up by Tuesday on 4 ply socks too, as a emmber there is just about to embark on them.
Here it is:
http://creativeliving.10.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=488
MrsL
xx
oh no, its criminal.totally.
(and I know all about stupid neighbours and fruit trees. as you know) Leanne x
Sorrowful waste. I mourn every time I walk past rotting fruit on the ground from 'ornamental' trees. The lady next door has a prolific apple tree that has a bounty which just cries out to be enjoyed.
Whenever I'm given produce, I've made sure to give the donor some of the goodies made from it. Jams, chutneys, baked goods etc to reward their generosity.
Freecycle is a good way to get unused produce. Some people think just because they don't use it, no one else will. Until reminded by a request on Freecycle! Happy Days!
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