My husband is destroying nature

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Behind our condo is some land. There is decent yard area (shared of course) which ends in an area where there are trees and prickly type bushes. This prickly area is pretty extensive and ends toward a hill " these trees and bushes are great in the summer and spring because they block the houses that are behind the hill and give a view of nature rather than other man made built crap. And it is an ideal habitat for our bunny population.

One of neighbors cleared a bit of the bushes and prickly stuff and made a nice garden pretty type area. So one day, my husband decides to do the same. It started small, then another neighbor joined him and the men have hacked away at nature. It does look nice " and some of our neighbors have commented about us putting a pool in as they cleared away so much.

I keep telling them don’t go to far " leave some room for the bunnies. My husband claims " don’t worry there is plenty of room for the bunnies. Yeah right now it is and right there is still enough so the trees and stuff block out the houses. But it seems each day they clear more of nature away.

Is this a guy thing? Hacking away on nature?

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well, this guy would leave more room for the bunnies

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This is all on condo owned land, or not? I guess I'd want to see a plan of the property.. I do like nature (naturally) and I like gardens. I like fostering the view of nature by screening with the natural plants, as you have described the site.. if indeed that is what they are (maybe they are some exotic that is not native to the area). I like wildlife corridors and wouldn't want one erased, but how much is enough? And then there is the matter of bunnies and gardens...

So, in conclusion, I'll say I don't know!

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@ossobuco,

Yes this land is all owned by our association. They are pretty open to allow us to beautify the land - add our own plants and flowers and stuff. The prickly stuff seems to be local - I've seen blackberries growing on them and I know those are local.

The one thing is they are using natural stuff to make it look nice - they have set up rocks to break up the area and plan on planting some tall bushes to help block out the prickly bushes. And added a nice natural looking chair.

I keep telling them to put a hot tub in.

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Oh, no - I just spoke with my husband - he said he was working on a project....outside. I had to wait until I got home.

He really needs to get a job.

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@Linkat,

Men do like arranging things. It's the ego imposing itself upon its surroundings.

All things considered it is probably a good thing and it does tire them out a bit.

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Is the "natural" land really natural? Or has it been cleared then overgrown? Big difference, IMO.

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@ossobuco,

Hmm., maybe he would like garden design as a field. It's not exactly recession proof, though. Plus it takes a fair amount of training.

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@Linkat,

Maybe the condo association should charge extra for the common area land that your oversized lifestyle has encroached upon. Why should you each be allowed to turn the association's common area into your own personal space and not have to pay extra for it?

What about the rights of others who use that common area and don't wish your bulging personal space to ruin their comfort and enjoyment of the natural woods that their fees and taxes also pay for?

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@djjd62,

djjd62 wrote:

well, this guy would leave more room for the bunnies

More room for bunnies!!!

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@dlowan,

I'll go for that.

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The prickly bushes are probably barberry. They are an invasive species and a good thing to eradicate (if you can). You just don't want him to turn it into a suburban park, you know - grass around trees and no undergrowth. Try and get him to make a nice little woodland garden with paths. Add some ferns, understory shrubs and a couple of ornamental trees like dogwood or redbud. It could become a nice area for the kids to play and for you to look at. The birds and bunnies will like it too.

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There nuthin I like more than rollin up ma sleeves and cuttin down trees. Makes me feel like a man. And killin rabbits and squirrels! I have the power over nature!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!!

Sorry. Lost my mind for a moment.

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@DrewDad,

It must be natural as the trees are very mature trees - also it looks like the other undeveloped land nearby.

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@Butrflynet,

Anyone is free to use the space - and many owners have added their own flowers, mulch and other stuff to the common areas. During spring time, the association usually has the landscaping company have a little "party". They bring a bunch of various flowers that the owners can plant and beautify the common areas with.

The positive of our association is usually if some one has an issue - like not cleaning up after your dog, the owners usually talk the offending individuals - and in most cases it gets worked out. If some one had an issue, if the way this area was being handled I would expect they would say something to us and we would work it out. Or else the association representative would contact us.

No one seems to mind.

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@Green Witch,

Green Witch wrote:

understory shrubs

I wonder if you could give me some examples of understory shrubs you'd have in mind...? (For my yard...)

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@sozobe,

http://ohioline.osu.edu/b865/index.html

really great stuff in there

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@dlowan,

We just saw another little baby bunny out last night. They are so cute. There is still plenty of prickly space for them as the area covers quite a bit - not just going back to where the hill is but in length as well.

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@Green Witch,

The squirrels love it - the other day there was one perched right on the chair. We do have a couple of those little trees already. Supposedly by husband picked up a couple of bushes that grow pretty tall - it should block out the area in the back and would give us a nice view.

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@Linkat,

linkat :
i suppose it's a "guy" thing , but it is also an "age" thing - for me anyway . Wink

30-40 years ago i couldn't wait to get into the garden right after work - there was always something to plant or re-arrange .
now ? ... "oh , that looks just fine - yea , i'll get the clippers out sometime when it's a little warmer " (or a little cooler if it happens to be warm) .

now i can sit in the garden under a shady tree without feeling : " got to fix up this - or that - NOW " .
a little bit of work will keep me occupied a looooong time ! Smile

i bet in a few years you wish that your husband would be just a little more "industrious" .
just hang in there !
hbg

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My husband is destroying nature

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