Ox Mountain Railway

[beavercreek]

Good job Mick.
Leylandii is indeed a hybrid (b*st*rd child of an unholy union)...

"Leylandii is a hybrid cross between two conifers that originate from different parts of the United States of America. The two conifers are the Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) – from which Leylandii gets its fast speed of growth - but this is not very hardy - and the Nootka Cypress (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, more recently named Xanthocyparis nootkatensis) which is slower growing but from which Leylandii gets its hardiness. They would not meet under normal circumstances as, although they are both native to the same country, they live a long way from each other in the USA."

As they grow so darned quickly and, unless they were pruned to shape very very early on in their use, they will never stay a a good plant for use as scale tree.

I also found that juniperus has a tendency to want to bolt and it only stays anywhere near useful by ruthless pruning from a very early age. Even then, its trunk is growing in width!
They are the ones needing another prune in the photos

All of the trees (bushes) are now 11 years old:

 

[trammayo]

Good work, Mick, but my advice is get rid of the Leylandii and replace by a miniature shrub of a similar kind.

Thanks. I did keep them in check for a number of years - then I got complacent! Many have been in at least ten years. Trouble is, I'm no gardener! I like the Box - loads of cuttings growing from clippings (thanks to the better half!).

Yeah, we do particularly well for Grape Hyacinths - had a couple up in the middle of the lawn recently, and that is with weekly mowing

Be interested if your good lady can get the conifer (Leylandii) cutting to take - not that I'd want one, I have removed dozens from my garden - from 10 - 15 ft that I removed and some bigger ones that a tree feller dealt with (although there was only him and his lad )

(The reason for the Wild West Norfolk Route 'summit' point, is a smaller Leylandii tree root that I couldn't remove., the line then dog-legs in front of another couple of awkward stumps

From the small time I worked with landscape contractors, I seem to remember that Leylandii is a hybrid, which could be fun when it comes to cuttings.........

Yes - awkward stumps is true. As for cuttings, no problem with the golden variety but, the other (dark green) is one I've never asked her to propagate. Likewise the Hebe. So, it will take several months to see if they take hold as the Leylandii take months to lose their colour.

 

[trammayo]

Good job Mick.
Leylandii is indeed a hybrid (b*st*rd child of an unholy union)...

"Leylandii is a hybrid cross between two conifers that originate from different parts of the United States of America. The two conifers are the Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) – from which Leylandii gets its fast speed of growth - but this is not very hardy - and the Nootka Cypress (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, more recently named Xanthocyparis nootkatensis) which is slower growing but from which Leylandii gets its hardiness. They would not meet under normal circumstances as, although they are both native to the same country, they live a long way from each other in the USA."

As they grow so darned quickly and, unless they were pruned to shape very very early on in their use, they will never stay a a good plant for use as scale tree.

I also found that juniperus has a tendency to want to bolt and it only stays anywhere near useful by ruthless pruning from a very early age. Even then, its trunk is growing in width!
They are the ones needing another prune in the photos

All of the trees (bushes) are now 11 years old:

View attachment 222583

View attachment 222584

View attachment 222585

Your trees/shrubs look wonderful and in proportion to your railway too!

I have had many Leylandii killed off because of harsh winters. We seem to get some very strong chilling winds at times. I have measured temperatures as low as -27 degrees C!

Time (as in domesticity) - and weather - seem to rule my life. I like to make things so green fingers only happen if I am using green paint!

 

[Chris Vernell]

... I like to make things so green fingers only happen if I am using green paint!

Yup, they call me Mr. Blackthumb. Things only grow in spite of me

 

[trammayo]

Yup, they call me Mr. Blackthumb. Things only grow in spite of me

I think some things grow to spite me I used to have black thumbs but now I direct the hammer to what I really want to hit.

 

[Chris Vernell]

I think some things grow to spite me

Yup . And things that I plant in one spot refuse to grow, but mysteriously reappear vigorously somewhere else where I don't want 'em

I used to have black thumbs but now I direct the hammer to what I really want to hit.

And that, me son, is why I prefer to use screws , 'coz the hammer persists in hitting the wrong kind of nails

 

[penylanpip]

All this gardening, Mick, and no supervision?
You mentioned a while back that Mae was under the weather. Trust all is ok now.

My current garden is just big enough for a rotary line and neither am I any gardener, but I am keeping notes for reference after we move.

 

[Rhinochugger]

And that, me son, is why I prefer to use screws , 'coz the hammer persists in hitting the wrong kind of nails

Don't beat yerself up - there's nothing wrong with hammering screws in

 

[LGB-Sid]

I have a leylandii near my front gate, it's trunk is about 15" diameter and it's around 40 foot tall...they get big I need a tree surgeon to cut mine down now.

 

[trammayo]

All this gardening, Mick, and no supervision?
You mentioned a while back that Mae was under the weather. Trust all is ok now.

My current garden is just big enough for a rotary line and neither am I any gardener, but I am keeping notes for reference after we move.

They are keeping an eye on things - I think the're waiting for the next train!

Thanks for asking about Mae. Cystitis was the problem. The vet gave her an injection and, by Saturday, she was back to normal. As well as 'telling' us she had a problem, she used the shower to tell us she was back to normal. I thought that was quite intelligent!

 

[trammayo]

I have a leylandii near my front gate, it's trunk is about 15" diameter and it's around 40 foot tall...they get big I need a tree surgeon to cut mine down now.

That's not going to be cheap!

 

[Chris Vernell]

Don't beat yerself up - there's nothing wrong with hammering screws in

Well, it's a good way to start them, anyway

 

[trammayo]

Finally got to attack the three remaining Leylandii this morning...



Trussed up like 'seasonal' trees, I'm hoping that they'll eventually conform to the shapes I've made.

After lunch I ran a train - but the extension was suffering electrical continuity probs. The sun was out too and the heat was unbearable - so I shut up shop and retreated into the house. I wonder what summer will be like?

 

[Rhinochugger]

Finally got to attack the three remaining Leylandii this morning...
View attachment 222661
View attachment 222662
View attachment 222663
Trussed up like 'seasonal' trees, I'm hoping that they'll eventually conform to the shapes I've made.

After lunch I ran a train - but the extension was suffering electrical continuity probs. The sun was out too and the heat was unbearable - so I shut up shop and retreated into the house. I wonder what summer will be like?

Unbearable sun we're still suffering an arctic blast

 

[playmofire]

Where the trees are brown, they'll stay brown.

 

[trammayo]

Where the trees are brown, they'll stay brown.

Yes they will - absolutely dry as tinder too - I'm hoping that the raggy base I left will grow up and cover the patches. Otherwise I will replace them with something else (but don't know what).

Unbearable sun we're still suffering an arctic blast

I could gloat but I'm not like that. It is exceptional weather but I have to keep in the shade (meds). Hopefully, I'll sort out the continuity problems this morning before it gets its' midday position.

 

[trammayo]

Well, I've belled out the rail connections on the extension. I knew there were a couple of suspect joints but never expected 18!

In the end, I used some masking tape to stick on the sleeper adjacent to the rail joints causing problems.


Now it's a cup of coffee, a trip to town for timber, then drilling 36 2mm holes, cleaning around them. then screwing in st.st. screws. Actual practicle testing will reveal if I have cured (for now) this nightmare.

No wonder I couldn't get the train around yesterday. Doh!.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Well, I've belled out the rail connections on the extension. I knew there were a couple of suspect joints but never expected 18!

In the end, I used some masking tape to stick on the sleeper adjacent to the rail joints causing problems.
View attachment 222669 View attachment 222670

Now it's a cup of coffee, a trip to town for timber, then drilling 36 2mm holes, cleaning around them. then screwing in st.st. screws. Actual practicle testing will reveal if I have cured (for now) this nightmare.

No wonder I couldn't get the train around yesterday. Doh!.

Is that LGB joiners / fishplates you're using, Mick?

And the arctic blast has died down, although it's still grey.....................'Bring me sunshine...etc etc.'

 

[trammayo]

Is that LGB joiners / fishplates you're using, Mick?

And the arctic blast has died down, although it's still grey.....................'Bring me sunshine...etc etc.'

There are quite a lot of LGB joiners. Having sorted out the offending joints, I have an inkling as to what has caused this problem!

A year or so the trailer hit the track (auto reverse causes brake to come off) when I uncoupled it from the car!

And a year or two before that, high winds caused it to swivel round and the back end disturbed the track!

Unless it is the unusual heat we're getting?

 

[Madman]

Don't beat yerself up - there's nothing wrong with hammering screws in

But you need a New York hammer to do that.