I moved to the east coast in 1983 after graduating from college. My first job took me to Mt Laurel, NJ. Admittedly, I struggled to adjust to my new home state as the norms were much different than what I experienced in the Midwest. But there was one thing I was excited about from the start. I thought I left the chance of tornados in Illinois. Boy was I wrong.
I’ve lived in my home in Pennsylvania for 25 years and have suffered significant tree and garden damage on three separate occasions, most recently on June 19. While I was hunkered down in my basement, straight line winds twisted a 100-foot ash tree from its roots and threw it into two other huge trees. A nearby hickory was beheaded in the process. When I emerged from the basement, I witnessed the destruction firsthand. While I scrambled to find a tree company who could quickly clean up the mess, branches continued to fall from the sky.
A 110 ton crane, a 106 foot spider lift and 3 log trucks later the mess was mostly cleaned up. I have a new section of the garden and I’m calling it “Mother Nature’s Fury.” The uprooted and split ash tree remnants clearly demonstrate the power of angry winds. The hickory trunk stands tall for wildlife to enjoy. A nearby Nyssa topped off in a previous storm highlights the resiliency of plant life as it sprouted new branches from the trunk to create a treehouse for the birds.
My garden changed immediately after the storm. What was a shade garden is now blanketed in afternoon sun. Plants covered in debris were bent, mangled and in some cases destroyed completely. But that means the garden will be reborn, revitalized and reimagined. There is room for that Katsura ‘Red Fox’ tree I have always wanted. I never look forward to catastrophic garden changes like the one I just experienced. But gardening teaches us to persevere. We get up, dust ourselves off and keep moving forward. The scars of tough times remain behind as reminders but become part of a new chapter in the diary of the garden.
Hi Carol! Such a great reminder to us all. I love what you said here: “We get up, dust ourselves off and keep moving forward. The scars of tough times remain behind as reminders but become part of a new chapter in the diary of the garden…. (and of our lives!…) A great metaphor. Thank you for these photos. Stunning. And beautiful, despite the storm.
Thanks for commenting, Janet. I also saw the parallels between the garden and life and am glad you saw the beauty in the destruction. Hope you will come see it in person one day!
What a great post! So true how we put so much work into our yard and garden and then Mother Nature comes and changes our vision. We have no choice. Through the many storms; We learn to accept that evolution is inevitable. I love that the “ uprooted ash serves as a living sculpture behind a giant boulder.” Instead of fighting Mother Nature you have worked with her. Again, you remind us about resilience in the face of change and destruction. The ability to persevere even when we are sad and devastated; especially about those old growth trees. Thanks for reminding us of our own ability to incorporate change in our gardens and evolve in life.
I’m happy the post spoke to you Jeanette and appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts.
Excellent letter Carol thank you for sharing it!
Thanks Pat, glad it spoke to you.
I am glad you are ok and that you see the opportunity to embrace what nature has given you to create a new and interesting garden setting!
Thanks Claire. I always try to look for a silver lining.
I actually saw the aftermath of the storm the day Andy and I came over. But; it’s incredible to see the lineup of logs on your driveway. Massive destruction! I’ve been through that as well in my previous garden and , as you’re doing , you change direction and start something different. I actually lost a very big tree in my present garden , something that could not be replicated , but 2 years later I’m very happy with the redo. I know you’ll have fun with it.
I look forward to making the garden different Inta and as you know, you have always served as a source of inspiration!