The Olive Tree, the ivy, us, Rui, … in Grandad's Garden!

What a struggle we had today here in Grandad's Garden. An ivy that took over our garden olive tree many years ago. There it stayed, growing ever bigger, and it even came in handy on hot days, giving lovely shade for eating lunch outside.

But the truth is that ivy is an invasive plant, and without mercy it climbs, twists, clings and will not let go of the poor olive tree, which, for all its size and grandeur, had fewer and fewer branches with leaves, and was slowly dying.

Rui Ferreira, whom we met at a Limpar Portugal meeting and who was one of the participants on our Photographic Walk, offered to help us with this great challenge – setting the Olive Tree Free!

Stepladder, saw, chainsaw, pull this way, pull that way, strength, lots of strength, and bit by bit the ivy came away. More and more of the olive tree came into view, until finally, yes, it could breathe after so many years!!!

Now it looks like a real work of art :) with scattered branches, a few leaves adding charm, and a majestic trunk. Little by little it will recover its life, and new branches will grow, more leaves, a new look!

Thank you, Rui!