Facelift

The tea trees have overgrown the entry wall and the clematis vine has overgrown the tea trees. The tea tree boughs extend 10 feet into the driveway area and are supported by what J calls "mercy sticks". The clematis vine is slowing killing the large tea tree at the entry gate, smothering it from above.

Behind the overhanging boughs, the stone wall is covered with years of road grime and mold.

After cutting back the tree branches and removing the mercy sticks, the wall appears very grungy.

Powerwashing was required to blast off the accumulation of crud.

Pulling down the clematis reveals the damage done to the upper boughs of the tea tree, but I'm hoping that the increased light and decreased weight will promote new greenery and next spring I'll do some selective pruning to remove deadwood. The clematis will regrow and be trained along the top of the wall going towards the left in the photo above.