To ask stranger if I can dig up their tree in the garden?

[WaffleDogg20]

My dad had a stroke that left him wheelchair bound and without a voice. when I was 16 which caused my parents to lose their house as they couldn’t afford their mortgage. They were homes in a bungalow. a few months after moving in my mum was diagnosed with cancer, for her 60th birthday all she wanted was this specific cherry tree.

we managed to find one and bought it her and it was then planted in the middle of their garden. It was extremely special to both my parents. Sadly my mum died a few months later but for the last 12 years my dad tenderly looked after this tree and every year he would make us pick the cherries for him. We would find him many times just looking at it in the garden.

my dad died last year and in the rush of having to be out of the council bungalow the Tree was left.

its my biggest regret in life so far and every time I think about it I cry. It’s still in the garden as if drove past a few times.

would I be unreasonable to offer the new tenants a good sum of money to be able to take it? I would love to replant it in my garden as it holds so many memories with my dc.

I don’t know what to do :(

I'd investigate if you can plant a cutting in rooting powder and just take a cutting from the tree and nurse it to maturity.

This would be the best plan, I feel.

@WaffleDogg20 Same thing happened to us! We had a letter from the granddaughter of the couple who used to own our house. They asked if they could have what was now our cherry tree.

We love the tree, but understood why it was very sentimental for the granddaughter. We knew it wouldn’t transplant well, so we had a tree surgeon cut down a large (ish) branch that wouldn’t damage the tree. We then got a wood turner to make a bowl, a photo frame and some wooden hearts from the cherry wood. One heart was threaded onto a piece of leather to make a necklace.

We also took photos of it in all seasons and sent some pressed blossom to her.

Had she not asked, we would never have known. She was very happy with her cherry wood gifts. Could this be an option? You only need a small branch for wooden hearts. Perhaps if this can’t happen for you, a cherry wood something from Etsy might help the memories?

What a kind thing to do @MegsNaiceJam :)

Cuttings are not technically difficult - the main thing is to be emotionally prepared for failure. Grafting is technically difficult but you can have quite a successful plant without grafting; it just wouldn’t be up to commercial standards.

Could you ask if you can take cuttings and then pay a gardener to do it and replant them for you? Failing that could tou get a special tree for your garden and maybe have a little plaque made with your m and d’s names ? So sorry gor your loss

Edit

Oh my goodness what a lovely thing to do !! Very kind and considerate.

♥️

While I went to scroll down to, it registered my touch as you're being unreasonable, I would like to say I definitely don't think it would be unreasonable to do that. I'm so sorry for your loss, I would definitely knock and explain the situation and what the tree means to you and your family. Tell them you didn't have the chance to dig it up after losing your dad, because you had to deal with everything else. 🫂🫂

She can get it grafted

That tree was planted for your Mum. why not plant a new tree in memory of both your parents which will have meaning to you. I think a mature 12 year old tree wouldn't survive a move & it'd be so sad if it died after re planting. If you live close to the old bungalow then every time you pass have a little look & remember those memories with a happy smile.

How big is the cherry tree as you will have to dig a hole as deep as the tree is high and the hole has to be twice as wide to accommodate the roots. I do think it's very unlikely that the current tenants will allow you to dig it up to be honest.

It will be very expensive to dig up, transport and replant and it may very well not survive. Plant another one of the same type. A cutting may not grow well as lots of fruit trees are grafted onto specific root stock. Could you ask to take a picture of it in bloom or fruit and get a large print nicely framed for your house?

You could ask but I really think it would be unlikely to survive. If you know what variety it was, get another one and plant that instead. You could ask the new tenants for a cutting, but it is difficult to do this unless you are an expert. Cuttings need to be made correctly and need to be done at the right time of year. A new tree is more likely to survive and you can dedicate it to your late parents, maybe even put a small commemorative plaque at the base of the new tree. I do wish you luck. I managed to dig up an old rose plant from the garden of my childhood home and plant it in a large pot. I even moved house with it and it has survived. But I did seek expert help... The new owners built a massive extension and paved over the rose garden 😞. But they were lovely people and I still talk to them on social media. They have brought up their twins (now 10) in the house I was born in. That's a kind of continuity, which gives me peace. My parents had the house blessed by the vicar, as it was a new build (in 1954). It was sold to the new people in 2014, exactly 60 years later. They are only the second owners and were planning to have the house blessed by their local religious leader (they are Sikhs). They are making their own memories, as we continue to make ours. Learning to let go peacefully is a blessing too. Xxxxx

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