Hey Liz,
What a day huh? Sorry to hear that your jolly green giant is going to go, but don't be too hard on yourself. You reached out, asked and made some serious attempts to at preservation. Although you didn't get the results you hoped for it certainly was not for a lack of trying. So, I think you should be commended for that. Not a whole lot of people would have taken that kind of time or made those kinds of efforts.
for that.
The little birds will be fine. They're used to life in the desert and all of its radical changes. Believe me, they'll have no problem relocating to another cacti condo. No shortage of them around. Just look around and you'll see there's plenty of space available for all.
And Baja is right, celebrate the 30 years you got to enjoy the plant and the fact at least there is somebody there that can get the plant down while leaving your home in tact. That is a positive. Sucks about the price though. UGH!
If you ever have something like this again let me know ASAP. I may be able to work something out with my landscape neighbor. He doesn't do the work because he doesn't have the machinery but he knows people that do. I'm sure he and I could have made some contacts for you and worked something out that could have given my 'friend' a bit of a deal.
NO PROMISES/GUARANTEES...but I'm sure he would have done some fishing for us amongst his colleges. I will tell you in advance he does take down dead/dying Century Plants should you need this service.
And I'm with Abbey when it comes to planting huge specimens close to homes. I used to live back East in N.E. Ohio and I can not tell you how many majestic mega huge, century old Oak and Elm and Maple or Weeping Willow trees have met their demise due to people's stupidity of building their homes too close to them and then complaining when the roots got into the septic and sewer systems or the limbs broke off and crashed through the roof.
Oh, and then they complain when birds, squirrels and raccoons and chipmunks make nests in the trees and wander over onto the roof and drain spouts and gutter guards or even clog up the fireplace chimney. Seriously? It's warm! It snows and is freezing in the winter in Ohio! What do people think is going to happen?
Animals are animals and are going to 'act' like animals.
Speaking of ignorance and letting everyone, their dog and Uncle Billy know about the proper way to live amongst protected, endangered and precious native plants, can anyone tell me what is wrong with this pic........or will be in about 20 years?
This was taken at a BBQ locally in my home town. My husband belongs to a BBQ grill group/forum and the one guy with a fabulous yard and home hosted a mega huge BBQ for all of us in the tri-county AZ area. Now what is wrong with this pic?
And worse yet............
O.K. for those of you not from AZ, look up The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest and then you'll get it! Yeah.
As a guest I said nothing. I did tell my husband in good conscience I can't go back. If I did I'd have to report them.
So I guess my take away with all of this is when it comes to majestic things like Saguaros, ancient deciduous trees and petrified fossil rock I'm privileged I live amongst it rather then with it. Enjoying it from afar is good.
Having it in your yard is far from good.
Keep us up to date tomorrow Liz on the removal.
Try to have a good day as you did your best.
AG
