21/04/2026
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE!
* The Power of Asking Nicely 😊 *
Long have I been told by others I like things "just so". That word "particular" - I hear it a lot.
When the dreaded time of year rolls around for contractors to slash our beautiful trees up here in the Hills, rightfully maintaining clearances around power lines with zero time allocated to care for aesthetics - the appearance of their giant cherry picker blocking access to my driveway, the industrial chipper and a cast of tree-climbing, chainsaw-wielding thousands - does not bring out the best in me.
Understanding the legal obligation to enable access to my property for said maintenance, over the years I've come to grasp the significance of picking my battles. Faithfully relying on the power of negotiation to stand up for those trees most important to me.
And stand up I do. From a vantage point on the verandah, literally looking out for my spectacular array of Manchurian Pear trees before the power tools start up ('Before' shot, photo #2). This is the 8th consecutive year I've had the same conversation (new man every year) - yes, of course I'd like to co-operate! Yes you may bring your cherry picker on to the lawn, all I ask is please treat my pride and joy's with a level and balanced trim. Thank you very much Gents.
And so, when the man up there with the hedger wipes his brow and suggests he's all done ( #3), I pop on down to have a chat. Never quite sure how the conversation will go, inevitably 5-10 minutes pass with me hearing a polite explanation of how he's done what he needs to do. Nothing further is required.
I nod graciously as I agree no more is required and yet I'd like to ask for more please, if I may? Referring to photographic evidence to demonstrate how I'd love to see my trees looking - and why - so there can be no doubt. I kindly leave it with him and return to my observation point on the verandah.
Moments pass in silence.. then I marvel as he re-positions his monstrous truck with the agility of my Australian Brumbies and floats all the way up and over to the far side. I signal a happy thumbs up as the job continues ( #4). There is no exchange of a case of beer or the like at the end; just a handshake and a genuine, delighted, thank you for caring.
Now, why did this human choose to be wonderful and do this today? Why have seven of his colleagues also gone to the same effort at my request in years gone by?
Similarly, I asked myself this question in the early days until I figured out the answer: Why would a 500kg flight animal willingly walk up a ramp, into a narrow metal box on wheels, and stand beautifully still while I enclose them inside?
There is only one reason.
Because in asking nicely, and hearing them out, my horses know I care.
-Mel McLaren,
Lover of Horses & Humans
'After' shot, photo #1 | Mid-autumn last ray of sunshine this afternoon, showcasing a sterling end result. Thanks again guys, see you next year!
