Deborah & William Hillyard
Deborah & William Hillyard
Deborah & William Hillyard
Deborah & William Hillyard
Deborah & William Hillyard
 
Much as we would like to spend more time in the garden, the need to address issues with the house takes precedence.  Still, here are some pictures to give a flavor of what it is like.  It is just under an acre.  Most of the garden is left au naturelle, mainly because we do not have enough time to do extensive work.  Thankfully, we inherited hundreds of Daylilies and Hostas that do not require loads of maintenance.  On the other hand, we are plagued with Locust trees and Sumacs growing wild all over the place.  Due to the number of trees we have, and the fact that many are very old and large, tree husbandry has been a major expense for us.  It is not something that one can do for one's self; you need a professional.  As well as regular pruning and thinning, some trees have to go.  Sadly that was the fate of an oak tree, reputed to be the oldest in Columbia County.  Photographs were taken in 2008 and 2009 except where indicated. 
We have hundreds and hundreds of daylilies.  Over the years, I have thinned them and replanted them around the garden.  They require very little maintenance, and provide a great display when they are not eaten by the local deer! 
To the right are three general views of the garden.  These were taken after everything was cleared up following the ice storm, and several trees were thinned out.  You can see this quite clearly in the first picture.  They had become very thick over the years, and this allows light into the tree, as well as into the house!  In addition, it makes it less likely that the tree would be damaged by heavy snow or ice. 
This is our beautiful weeping birch tree.  We have elected to leave it to grow naturally rather than prune it into an "umbrella" shape. 
In the picture to the left, you can see a number of rogue Sumacs (rhus) that I need to remove before they get too large.  There is also a large stand of wild locust trees in the center of the picture, just behind the small fir, that need management.  Both are a real nuisance. 
In the picture to the left, we were waiting for the Hostas to flower.  In the picture to the right, they have flowered.  This is a stand that runs along a part of the drive. 
Some images of the damage caused by the ice storm we had.  The noise from the cracking branches was amazing, particularly from the fir tress at the front of the house.  It has all been cleared up now, although the broken fence has yet to be fixed. 
The Ice Storm - 2008
The sad day when the oak tree was cut down.  Unfortunately, while doing some trimming on our old oak tree, our tree surgeon found that part of the interior had rotted away, and it was becoming a danger to the house and to us.  We were very sad to have it cut down, and it cost a fortune.  Thankfully, we have more than fifty other trees on the property, but that was the only oak.  I have a sapling that I plan to transplant to the rear of the property well away from the house so it can grow to its' heart's content. 
Daylilies
Our Weeping Birch
A Selection of Trees
Hostas
The Oak Tree
Our red maple tree.  So much more attractive than the basic silver maple. 
Red Maple
 
December 5th, 2009, we had our first snow storm of the Winter.  Not a bad one at all, just a few inches.  It started to thaw the next day, but we are scheduled for more over the next ten days.  More pictures to come. 
Winter - 2009
The weeping birch in spring just before flowering.  Still has a certain stately charm. 
Late Spring; the weeping birch in flower. 
A few of the early daffodils in spring.
More Hostas in flower along the side of the porch. 
Spring 2010
I took the last two pictures while we were having the garden cleared.  The difference is amazing.  The piles of brush and tress are waiting to be chipped.  We will keep some of it to use as a mulch. 
Select:

Garden

Our c. 1860 House -

Outside

Summer 2010
While we inherited several Hydrangea bushes, they have never produced more than one or two flowers, and most years we have not had any.  This is due to the sudden late frosts we can get that kill off the flower buds unless they are protected.  This year, however, we had a relative profusion of blooms.