Obsessive, compulsive gardeners have many enemies – grass is a major one as it persists in growing everywhere it is not wanted for ornamental purposes whether in gravel-strewn paved or cemented walks. Those who are trying, sporadically, to ‘garden’ in what used to be woodland, also have to cope with tree saplings. These are much harder to pull up. Their roots seem deeper, tougher, not even killed off by mole tunnels. The back ‘lawn’ at La Chaise is a field of two/three leaved oak saplings that have been mowed.
Some trees are nourished by the parents even – or especially – after death. Here an oak sapling cannibal nursery.
Look at me! About to be a tree in the wrong place.
It might have been the grandchildren – but I have never seen the boys show any interest in acorns. Sometimes they post them down mole holes and jump the mole hills flat. The rain storms had considerably curtailed their outside fun anyway. When the rain stopped, the sun and warmth returned and their attention turned to the pool.
The warmth gradually became excessive and pool time was postponed until later and later in the day. Even the chickens started to sulk and hide under bushes. Egg laying was definitely off.
This is what the sun did. It solved my problem but I was still a little sad.