Definition of scrumping from urbandictionary:
Stealing fruit, especially apples, from someone else's trees. British. It's considered less bad than, say, shoplifting, but adults still disapprove.
Yes, it's true. The bear came in the night and
took the apples from my Orange Pippin Tree. I was on the verge of picking them myself, just waiting for them to add a little more of their beautiful orange tinge.
took the apples from my Orange Pippin Tree. I was on the verge of picking them myself, just waiting for them to add a little more of their beautiful orange tinge.
 |
| not one of mine, unfortunately |
He left three or four less ripe apples at the top of the tree. No doubt he'll be back for those as soon as they meet his standards. This could be more of a problem because if he decides to climb, he will break the tree. I should pick them now but, slow to learn, will leave them just a bit longer.
It was not a good day. The deer had eaten the new growth off the recently planted roses and mowed the parsley down. Surprisingly the roses have bounced back with renewed vigour so perhaps it actually did them some good.
The roses and parsley are an annoyance. The tree symbolises memories of long ago so it hurts a little more.
When it comes to pleasin' me,
It's the dearest in the orchard, —
Is that old apple-tree.
I would hide within its shelter,
Settlin' in some cosy nook,
Where no calls nor threats could stir me
From the pages o' my book.
Oh, that quiet, sweet seclusion
In its fulness passeth words!
It was deeper than the deepest
That my sanctum now affords.
excerpt from The Old Apple Tree by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Part of the Tree Following Project at Loose and Leafy
O my dear, bears and deer in the garden, so strange to me.
ReplyDeleteI rather enjoy the deer, they hang out in the meadow in the winter and I'm happy for them to graze there. Too bad they don't/won't stay there in the summer.
DeleteBears? I saw bears eating apples from a tree outside the guesthouse where I was staying in Transylvania last year. I was terrified to go walking next day. Do they only visit your garden at night?
ReplyDeleteMostly they come at night. For every person killed by a black bear in North America 265 are killed by lightning so I'm not too nervous.
DeleteI'm so sorry to read this. We went through the same thing about three years ago. Not only did we lose all our apples, but we had several large limbs broken on the threes. It was so sad. The deer are just as bad - they don't climb, but they get up on their hind legs and can do damage with their forelegs. Big sympathy!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I can tell when the deer have been to the tree as they tend to eat the apple and leave the core still hanging. They haven't broken anything but there is always next year.
DeleteJeez, right when they were almost ready for you. The deer ate all my Mom's tomato plants, strange as they have never done that before. She heard putting cat fur on them drives the deer away so now the 1 or two that are left are draped in cat fur :)
ReplyDeleteI read out your cat fur advice to my husband. The very nervous cat let out a little squeak and quickly left the room. Unconnected, I'm sure, but funny.
DeleteOh No! gosh how frustrating that must be. i know when i am watching something ripen until just the right time. I hope the bears only eat fruit?
ReplyDeleteWell, the poor things are designed to be carnivorous but don't get much more than insects and carrion. Too right about delivering a blow when the reward was in sight.
DeleteI wouldn't want a bear in my garden, let alone eating apples from my tree - but it makes your posts so exciting!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I am writing about the bear than the tree. I'm looking forward to watching it in winter when the bear will be tucked up in bed.
DeleteOh that is too bad...is there some deterrent or netting that might save some apples for you....I have to net my veg garden from the deer...they love my roses too, but I also find it helps them to be deer pruned.
ReplyDeleteI had wire fencing around the roses but the deer reached over the top and leaned well in. Now there is a wire roof on each one too. Looks a little odd. Bears seem to push past and through anything other than an electric fence which I can't afford. I've heard they avoid the smell of Pine Sol so will be trying it.
DeleteOh, no! And such a lovely apple! While it's nice the bear has such good taste, it is not nice that he/she deprived you of your harvest. What a lovely poem. I'm going to look it up.
ReplyDeleteHe is an old guy. I'm going to wait him out.
DeleteI don't know that I've seen orange pippins. The one's I remember were green, but I don't see them in the markets anymore. I can imagine how frustrating it must be to have your fruit scrumped. (I like that word!) The squirrels scrump our persimmons every year and even the quince. I do hope you get to enjoy the remaining apples.
ReplyDeleteI never scrumped but my brother did. It seemed to be something little boys in the country did. He doesn't have an apple tree so maybe payback has settled on me. Persimmon and quince, what wonderful trees to have.
DeleteI'm perplexed with all the animals I already have scrumping (new word to me) my fruit, I can't imagine a bear in the garden, how would you fence it out? I have all my roses behind welded wire fences, except the Rugosas, which are too thorny to eat.
ReplyDeleteI hear you. Fall is a scrumping frenzy with our animal friends. I never know what is going to go next. I've noticed the deer avoid the thornier roses and I will just have to adjust my planting preferences to the situation.
DeleteOh I am so sorry! I do feel your pain. Each year my fig tree produces beautiful plump figs...before I can harvest one the birds devour them. I always think there will be enough to share, but I am alone in that idea. Keeping my fingers crossed you are allowed the few at the top. B
ReplyDeleteI think I would be even sadder if I lost figs.
DeleteAH man!!! I can't stand that!! I have been there so many times friend with all of the critters that are fearless in my garden! I do hope you can net the tree or something that can maybe keep that guy away! Good luck and keep up the hard work!!! Keep us posted! Nicole xo
ReplyDeleteI don't think a net would work. I would hate to find the bear wrapped up in it in the morning.
DeleteOh those pesky bears! Deer have been eating our green beans, last year I looked out our window and they were standing in broad daylight scarfing down all our tomatoes. And I am in a city! So annoying!!! Those are really beautiful apples!
ReplyDeleteThe deer seem to have adapted to urban life. Across the water from us in Comox there are more strolling the streets than I ever see in our rural area.
DeleteBear and deer? Geez! Your garden needs to come with an alarm!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to get one of those 'step away from the car" alarms, only "step away from the tree".
DeleteBear ... now that is scary! And I worry about squirrels and mice !
ReplyDeleteThis time of year we are reminded how close to nature we live. I swear I see more deer in town than in the bush. - Margy
ReplyDeletewhat a shame. I would have done as you were by leaving them a tad longer to get that nice orange blush to them. I do hope he doesn't return and climb up there.
ReplyDelete