And as if to provide us with a Christmas surprise for 2021, out, from the topmost and most vigorous carbuncle (apologies to the Prince of Wales) comes a brave new shoot.
So happy, and vigorous have been our mistletoe bunches on such a small apple tree in a pot, that I have had, for the first time, to prune them back and give away some locally (Hammersmith) grown mistletoe to local inhabitants.
We wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a virus-free New Year.
There has been much talk - and action - recently on planting trees to aid the environment. What seems to be missing is where they may be planted safely near buildings. No such information seems to be forthcoming.
In my unpublished autobiography, not to be confused with my present project of producing an autobiography in words and pictures, I cover the subject in a chapter entitled How to Run a Happy Household. In this I advise on distances from a house where one might plant a tree without undermining its foundations, causing cracks and damp, etc.
This is what I wrote:
Trees near to a house can not only cause subsidence, but may fall in a storm and damage the roof if not more. The roots of willow trees travel a great distance and can undermine foundations. So plant them no nearer than 50 metres away from the house. Plant horse chestnuts oaks, planes, poplars and elms no nearer than 25 metres away. Spruce, pine, yew and magnolia can come a little closer, but not too close. I am for keeping house walls and their immediate vicinity clear of any green growth, to allow air to flow around freely to keep stone and brickwork dry. Outside walls are then easier to maintain in good condition, whether coated, tiled, painted or pointed.
Look after a house and it will look after you.
