Pretty, isn’t it? That guy – a very nice guy, by the way – is looking at our septic system. It’s been acting up lately – we’ve noticed some leakage, even though the tank has been recently emptied. Fast forward to more digging with the excavator, more pipes uncovered. All filled with tree roots. The leach field is shot. So we have to get a new one installed today and tomorrow.
For, oh, about $7000.00.
You can imagine what kind of day we had yesterday. I can think of all kinds of things I could do for $7000.00 – all of which would be a little more fun, a little more pretty, than a leach field.
These roots have apparently been doing this for years. We’re the lucky owners who have discovered it. And the roots are from the weeping willow, which means the willow is going to have to come down. It’s old and fragile and every time we have a big wind storm we worry it’s going to fall. Now that we know how troublesome the roots are – to the tune of 7K – we have no choice but to take it down.
And it breaks my heart. It’s my favorite tree on the property. It’s one of the reasons I fell in love with this house. I’ve already told Don that I will not be around on the day that happens. I simply couldn’t bear watching my sweet willow come down. I cry every time I think of it.
So that’s what’s happening at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.
I have to show you at least one pretty thing today. Meredith made this beautiful shawl/scarf in the softest gray. It has tiny sequins in it. Oh my goodness. It’s beautiful. And it’s going in the shop this weekend, along with another beautiful shawl. I’m crocheting like crazy and hope to be adding more Obsession Scarves this weekend as well.
Enjoy your Friday.
Hi Claudia, When I was little we had a huge, beautiful weeping willow tree which we three girls thought was a magic tree. The power company came one day and cut it down to keep it from knocking down the wires. I can remember my Mom sitting on the sofa, looking out the window and sobbing (she never cries) while the men were working. You can imagine my feelings whenever I see a beautiful huge weeping willow. I have been wanting one for my yard. And speaking of sad and trees, one of the reasons I fell in love with our house was that there were three old but producing apple trees off the back deck. The October snowstorm took them all down. I was the one crying. I feel for you–even all grown up I can feel the magical effect of a wonderful tree. After the septic is fixed, maybe you can plant a new little tree. Linda
Claudia, Meredith’s scarf/shawl is GORGEOUS! Your shop is doing fantastic – congratulations to both of you!
I’m so sorry about your tree. I understand how you feel. We had an early, freak snowstorm the week before Halloween that damaged (beyond saving) our large maple in the front yard by the driveway and two oak trees in the side and back yard. They couldn’t hold up to the weight of the heavy snow while their branches were still leafy and full.
Needless to say, the tree companies in our area have been working overtime so we weren’t able to arrange for them to be taken down until a month or so ago. I should have left for the day because the sound of the chain saws was sickening. But I was home all day and just refused to look out at what was going on. Kerry went out from time to time to check the progress.
We saved one large piece of the maple’s trunk that we will use in our garden as a base for either a bird bath or plant. I had to keep at least one piece of that once gorgeous tree.
And I’m also so sorry you and Don are dealing with such a huge expense. It’s never fun to spend that much money on the upkeep of a house, but especially so in these trying economic times. Again, I understand. Just one week before our freak snowstorm in October we had a new roof put on. The night of the snowstorm we could hear smaller-sized branches breaking off and landing on the roof. Thank goodness they did no damage to our very recent and expensive investment!
Thinking of you… Donna
Oh Claudia…….I am so sorry. This is something that I fear will happen here. We have a well and a leach bed as well. Just coasting til that day. I actually thought it was more than that. We have tohave a new roof this summer and it is $8,000. We have a leak and it is time. I hate sinking money in that.
When I was a child we had a wipping willow. I loved the tree. It had to come down for the same reason. They have nasty root systems. What a shame.
Love the shawl.
I hope you can have a memory lapse and still enjoy the week-end.
The sun is shining here.
(((((HUGS))))
As soon as I saw the picture, I knew what you were going to say and my heart sank for you. I’m really sorry this had to happen. Nobody needs an unexpected expense like that.
I am so sorry. This is horrible. When John had some tree guys trim our Camphor tree I cried and couldn’t even sleep in the same bed as him. I had to call someone to come and doctor it up so it didn’t die. That was three years ago and it will never be the same. They took down beautiful low branches, it made me sick.
Glad you love the sparkle shawl.
Mere
Oh, how I hate septic systems! I just had to have mine pumped @ $270 and it threw my budget into a tailspin. We also had to spend $8000 on a new leach field before we sold our last house. I hate spending $ on things you can’t enjoy.
I love weeping willows too, but when I wanted to plant one in my new yard, my brother wisely told me not to because their roots would ruin my septic system!
Love the shawl! So beautiful!
So sorry to hear this. I know in these financially unsure times we are all in this is news you did not need. And the tree…how sad. Maybe you can make some stools out of the trunk or do something with some of the wood or bark so you will always have a piece of the tree. There are so many ideas on Pinterest..coasters cake plates maybe you could even sell a few.
Went through septic tank heck myself a few years ago. Sure stinks!
Take care and I will keep good vibes going that it all goes smoothly.
Love the shawl too. You ladies are so talented!
Blessings~
I understand this as we had to take down one of our trees when the wind blew it down and almost into our kitchen. Another tree sent its roots into our pipes and that had to come down also. It’s always hard to lose a tree, sugar, very hard, especially when they’re so old.
Gorgeous, elegant scarf. If I wore them that would be one I’d wear.
xoxo,
Connie
Oh that is such bad news! I’m with you about the $$ for something that could be enjoyed in so many other ways! But the tree … simply sad.
Oh how I feel your pain! We had to do it a few years back too. We live in an old house, and have to put a lot of money into it, and not the fun kind of stuff either. New Septic System, copper piping, insulation, roof, etc….UGH!!! SOrry about the loss of a beautiful tree too!
Purty scarf!!
When it rains, it POURS, right?
I`m so sorry about the huge expenditure and your beloved willow, Claudia.
The new scarf is very nice.
S
xo
We had to take down our willow last year Claudia. It was not near our well but right beside our house. Every time we had any wind pieces would come down. Three times it landed on our porch, shop and house. The last time it damaged our roof and I was so afraid it would come down on our cars or take out our fence. I know they are beautiful but unfortunately they are one of the most destructive trees around. Good idea not being home though, I went out too. Maybe you could put some nice large shrubs there with a birdbath or something.
Sorry about you having to lose your favourite tree,
Sue
Awww, Claudia! I’m so very sorry for what you’re going through. How sad that you will lose the tree that you love so much. I can understand how you must feel. I also love trees although I do not own a property. But I know that if they had to cut down the ones in the front of my windows, it would hurt. Your sister’s shawl is very precious. She is certainly extremely talented. Take heart, please, dear Claudia. Treat yourself and Don to a little something, will you. Since you have to spend $7,000. for something like that, what’s another $50.00.That’s how I look at it.
Ouch! Oh the joys of home ownership…. We havde a mystery leak in front after throwing a couple of thousand dollars at it. But on to the tree! I think everyone must have a tree story or two. I was a girl of eight or ten when our weeping willow had to come down. The city required sidewalks to be put in, and our tree was too close. Losing the tree had a real effect on me. Willows must carry a certain spell.
Oh Claudia I am so sorry you have to go through this! We had our septic pumped after many long years of avoiding it. That was expensive enough but then to find we needed to replace baffle plates?? or something like that and some other parts…it got very expensive but now we can feel safe. I have always known that about Willow trees…I learned that when I was little. As much as I love them, I avoid them because of this. You will at some point have to replace your beloved tree with another that is not invasive and start a new love affair with that tree! How about an Hydragenea or a fruit tree or a blue spruce. The possibilities are endless. Hang in there…we have had so many years of having to use our credit card for emergencies like this. Sometimes it took us years to get them paid off but we did it. It’s one payment a month and then we would send more when we could. God will provide when you least expect it.~~.
If you or someone you know basket-weave… willows make beautiful baskets! I wish I was there!
We had to replace our cess pool a few years back and it killed me to have to pay so much for something that won’t be seen at all! Now the washing machine is acting up and I am delaying telling my Hubby …we are in such a financial bind! I keep thinking well maybe it’ll fix itself! <:0/ UGH! I am sorry about your Willow tree Claudia.
Blessings, Joanne
We have a septic system for our home also and I have that fear of needing a huge amount of work done on it. so sorry for the tree needing to come down. Sad indeed. the scarf is lovely. Hugs, Linda
Oh, the expenses that we never see coming! I’m so sad for your beloved willow, too. Maybe prune a piece of its trunk for a patio seat, end table, or plant stand?
What a lovely shawl! The neutral color is just great.
Oh you have my sympathies…
I have been there with the septic system too. We had 9 people living here and the original septic tank was barely bigger than a bathtub. After tearing up my entire side yard and installing tanks that look like they could hold Volkswagons, we now have(thousands of dollars later) toilets we can flush and the ability to handle all of the laundry. Yay. Glamorous.
During a storm a couple of years ago, we lost a tree that gave shade to the whole front yard. I was devastated. Maybe it’s a good thing that the tree comes down before it’s green in the spring.
~cathy
Your ETSY store has such beautiful shawls (and the scarves too which are already sold). Love the added sparkle in the latest shawl.
Really a tough thing to lose the willow and spend so much on an essential repair. Big nasty. Ouch.
We lost a huge pepper tree a few years back during lots of rain storms. It fell parallel to the house. How it missed crashing on the kitchen, we have no idea. It was such a huge loss to us. You come on to the property and there’s this huge void! Also cost me $1200 just to have it cut up and removed. I’m so sorry for the expense. It’s just overwhelming when you get that kind of news! Her shawl is beautiful!
Sorry about the tree and the big expense. What an unpleasant surprise. I will be looking at the shop this weekend.
Oh dear, I’m sorry about the lovely tree, Claudia, and the expense. Do you have a favorite photo of the tree? Perhaps you could frame it for one of your walls…
Oh no, not a fun thing to have to spend oodles of money on. I don’t blame you for not wanting to be around when they cut the tree down. I cry when they cut down trees. I’m a tree hugger.
That is grim news, both the loss of the tree and the financial burden. I know the line about “this too shall pass” but I sure hope the negative phase passes for you sooner rather than later!
Claudia, I feel for you and Don. seems we can never get ahead at times, doesn’t it? I have always heard that weeping willows are bad around any yard with a septic…their roots seek water. It’s most often the septics in the country or sewer systems in town. Wishing you the best. xoxo, Susie
So sorry about losing the tree.
I am so sorry to hear about your willow tree. :-( When we built our garage/shop a couple years, we built it detached, rather than attached to the house…because of a maple tree I didn’t want to cut down. So I completely understand how sad it is to think of losing a tree. And septic systems are horridly expensive. Around here, they are between 8,000 and 12,000. And just when you think you’re getting ahead, something major like that seems to need replacing. :-(
P.S. Beautiful scarf!♥
SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIFUL WILLOW TREE, I ALWAYS WANTED ONE OF THOSE IN MY LIFE…..BUT NEVER DID…
NOW….THE LEACH FIELD…….WE HAD ONE PUT IN SEVERAL YEARS AGO…….IT COST 10.000.00…..WE NEEDED A LARGE ONE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE HOUSE….AND MY DAUGHTER JENNY USES A LOT OF EXTRA WATER……HOPE IT ALL WORKS OUT FOR YOU…..RIZZI
So sorry about your tree and septic. When we last moved we had to put a new one in – $10,000. Never even got to use it,ha.
Maybe they are called weeping willows cause we love them so and are so sad when we lose them.
Hoping that “silver lining” shows up for you soon …. it will:)
Oh I’d love to have a weeping willow but even growing up, we didn’t have one because of the roots and the damage they do. I see some driving around in the country but that’s about the only place I see them.
Sorry to hear about the leach field. I guess this is one time I’m glad I live in the city.
I’m so sorry about your beloved tree. I thought I was going to lose it when I had to have two beautiful pin oaks taken out. Of course now I’m gone anyway. Nola says she loves her scarf. She wore it today to some function. I’ve been busy getting the stuff together for my own shop. Went to HL and got some white foam board, like you said. Time, where does it run off to?
Brenda
Oh Claudia, I am so very sorry about your tree and the expense that wasn’t anticipated. I am also guilty of becoming attached to trees and I cry too whenever we have to lose one, especially now as we don’t have many in our little garden here in Oz. Your friends gave good advice re planting a new tree once the work has been done, but in the meanwhile take lots of photos of your tree for memories. God bless x
My darn computer, I’m not sure it sent the comment I just made!
Anyway, I’m going to assume it did.
One other thing… Have you ever thought of crocheting some of those beautiful floral banners you have strung up on the large armoire? After you finish all the obsession scarves, of course; that will keep you busy a while!
As soon as I read that your line was full of roots, I knew it was a weeping willow. I have heard this about them.
I am sorry it has to come down tho.
Beautiful scarf! pam
check around and see if you can get it done cheaper thats what we did when it happened to us
Those are the kind of days/weeks I hate. Spending money on THOSE THINGS that you can’t see and certainly don’t bring you any pleasure. And, I hate losing trees. The first thing I did when we moved to this property was plant two weeping willows. They will outlive me, I’m sure. The scarf is beautiful. xo Diana
This happened to me years ago. I can remember saying, Please not the willow. Weeping willows bring back wonderful memories of childhood and I love that they are one of the first to get their leaves in the spring. I think you need a brief mourning period.
Laura
Oh Claudia, heartbreaking about the beautiful willow…and then to have the burden of such a added expense…I am so sorry.
Our new neighbors had septic problems also last month. Keeping my fingers crossed, it’s such a awful thing to have to deal with. We have tons of trees, guess we had better look out.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Oh I’m so sorry you’re going to lose your weeping willow! They are such beautiful trees, even tho mama used the branches to whip our little legs when we were very bad :) The roots of ours got into our well and ruined the water, so it also had to be cut down. By then I was too old to be spanked and I was so sad to see the lovely landmark gone. Also wanted to thank you for the ideas to Brenda on getting my Feedburner working again – I think my husband may have it working now. Hugs ~ Mary