There was a long list of trees and shrubs to be trimmed by the arborist today. It was such a relief to have it all done that I was practically ecstatic. It’s always difficult to decide what needs doing, particularly at this time of year when everything is sprouting and flowering and birds are building nests. I have cut the odd thing back myself now and again, but arborists know what they’re doing and can be relied on to do a great job. And they have the tools, like the little chain saw on a pole. And they can climb.

There were four arborists with, not only tools, but all the safety gear and procedures to make the whole operation go smoothly for the three hours they were here. They could thin out a tree to let light in but still allow dappled shade. One of them told me we will need shade for the coming hot summer.

The abutilon has been a concern, sprawling and almost falling over, and continuously flowering so I didn’t know when to prune it, let alone figure out how to make some sort of shape. Somehow, they managed it, and I rescued some of the flowers before they were fed into the mulcher.

Felix came home some time after the arborists had left. The blackbirds were soon back too.