My Mom's old neighbor had a beautiful wall-trained Pyracantha espalier.
Some strain of madness* evidently struck the new occupant. He cut it all down, while it was full of berries.
Mom rescued a few branches for display.
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*Rhodophobia, the fear of the color red?
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This is not the first time I've wished for a Big Book of Phobias. The internet can't find me a word that means fear of berries. Or fear of thorns, though I'm almost certain those words must exist.
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P.S. Go visit the Festival of the Trees, if you haven't already.
Rhodophobia! LOL. I can't imagine cutting down a healthy Pyracantha. They are beautiful. I have had to cut them when they get sooty mold, which happens around here a lot.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's a fear issue I think it's a control issue. I've known other men (one of whom lives here) who can't stand to see anything just grow naturally; they'll cut it to a nub in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteAwwww.....what makes people do stuff like that? When we moved from our place in town somebody cut down half the lilacs that I planted. Made me sad.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Festival plug.
ReplyDeleteAgh!
ReplyDeleteWildeve, I know, I know! Nuts, huh?
ReplyDeletePatsy, hmm you could be right!
3C, cutting down lilacs seems even worse. Why in the world?!
Pablo, I'm trying to get over my pique at carnivals ignoring me, and giving them a 2nd chance...
TCE, yep.
well, when my mom and dad moved to the country, my mom the city girl planted a garden.
ReplyDeleteshe was talking to the neighbor and weeding when the neighbor asked why mom was pulling out all of the radish plants. she thought they were weeds.
so, maybe he didn't know any better?
I've seen several of those in berry - and they are so gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt could be the fruit was messy on the ground. I fight with my husband over such things.
"It's messy" .. he says
"So?" I answer
I guess there's no accounting for tastes, that's definately a loss.
ReplyDeleteThey are wicked evil thorny trees. Alas they did me harm as a kid.
ReplyDeleteThey do look good in the pitcher! Too bad about the destruction of a lovely shrub...Gail
ReplyDeleteI agree with Patsy- some people go nuts with pruners.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your little sapsucker- wonderful photos!
Tell your Mom that a "Sleepy Eye" churn like the one in your picture sold at an auction last year for $250.00. (Google "Sleepy Eye" for more info.)
ReplyDeleteErika, ha! Poor radishes. :)
ReplyDeletePamela, oh, that's an idea. Yes, that's common I think!
Lythrum, I thought so too.
FC, maybe the neighbor too.
Gail, yeah they go well with that, don't they?
Vicki, maybe it was that "to a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail" idea...
Anon, wow! Thanks, I'll tell her.
Maybe it was "Rhodo-thorno-busha-phobia" :) I think the branches look terrific in the churn regardless, and I'm glad to be reminded of firethorn...I forgot that one when planting stuff "for my neighbors" >:-)
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