SOME TOOLS FOR GARDENERS WITH DISABILITIES..

Hello
I’m Richard and have rheumatoid arthritis. I’m always busy gardening, woodworking and DIY.
I’m also very good at falling over and hurting myself hence off to the hospital - again.
So, I’m 74 and need to keep busy. But my time is up climbing up ladders etc.
consequently I’m going to cut down, with regret, a tree/big shrub/hedgerow misplaced. So, I’d be grateful for any tips/advice on what to replace it with. I’d like to purchase a mature tree and enjoy seeing it while I’m still here here. My soil is ‘clayish’ but pretty productive nonetheless. I rather fancy a nice, slow growing mature Acer. I have 3 small acers which have done really well in the same area.
Thank you

 

Hello Richard and .

I am sure someone will come along shortly to assist you.

It would be helpful if you would give your location ... and a hohto of the area would not go amiss.

 

Sorry, I live in Blackwood, south Wales valleys.

 

Hello Richard. It looks lovely. I don't quite understand why you want to replace a tree and a shrub with another tree. What varieties are the ones you want to get rid of?

 

Hello Busy
The shrub/tree began life in my garden over thirty years ago - a present from a bird I suspect.
Every now and again it produces wonderful green plum like fruits. After some research it seems the shrub is quite commonly found in the hedgerows of France. The birds frequented it for many years but no longer. We have so many cats using the garden as a thoroughfare and, sadly and all too often, breakfasting on too many birds, hence they’ve ‘checked out’.
The shrub is fast growing and takes a lot of trimming throughout the seasons. I’m just about ready to get back into the garden after being laid up after a pretty bad fall. I’ve been banned from using ladders and steps and so no tree trimming.
From the photo you’ll see I’ve three small Acers which are doing really well and so I’m thinking about buying a much larger and mature Acer to fill the empty space. If it requires little trimming, and growth is slow, then it’s very likely to be my choice. I’d appreciate your thoughts. Thank you. Richard.

 

It sounds like a good idea but hard work to prepare for it. Will you get someone in to remove it? The roots will have to be dug out to make way for the acer.

I've never had a garden that acers are happy in.