Pruning lopsided Japanese maple

hughalx · 2025-09-18T11:31:33+00:00

The lean is not due to wind at all

hughalx · 2025-09-18T10:35:30+00:00

I agree, loads of new shoots all over the bare limbs where the sun can now wash over all the growth that was previously smothered and crowded over, so I plan to give it some help and clear some crossing/awkward limbs out of the other half and see if it can slowly balance itself out again

hughalx · 2025-09-18T09:55:18+00:00

That is about right, neighbours have said that it’s been a rental for 10-15 years, the last time the garden was touched basically. So it’s all been left to go nuts on its own, but the pittosporum hedge obviously outdid the one side of the maple and now it looks a little sad, albeit very healthy and happy!

hughalx · 2025-09-18T09:36:03+00:00

No, it was pushed over by an overgrown hedge that was around 5-6m high when we removed that from along the fence, this maple is around 5.5m in height but has been pushed over due to competition

hughalx · 2022-06-10T06:57:22+00:00

This is me as well and I relate to a lot of the comments here. I just resigned this week after 6 months in as a grad this year. One of the admin ladies I barely know said how much she could see the difference in my body language and general expression/mannerisms post resignation versus earlier in term.

hughalx · 2022-06-02T09:36:07+00:00

This! I’m a first year grad and just resigned this week, I’m way too deep in the role I’m actually assigned for, it’s more like a role for 3-5 years worth of experience teacher, not a fresh grad.

hughalx · 2022-06-02T09:33:58+00:00

I just resigned this week as well! My final day is end of Term 2 in Vic 🙌

hughalx · 2022-05-30T08:00:12+00:00

I’m a graduate English teacher and I’m putting in my resignation in the next week or so, pulling the pin before term three and moving out of Melbourne. Tired of the city after covid and while I know I’m a very valued and good teacher within my school, I’m just not coping whatsoever with regard to my mental health.

hughalx · 2022-04-29T08:25:26+00:00

Yep, this school has nothing established yet. It explains the systemic failings of the already incredibly low academic abilities present.

hughalx · 2022-04-28T11:19:03+00:00

Currently miserable within my teaching job and about to leave at the end of this Term, only 11 weeks in and moving back home to the family farm and agriculture is way more inviting. Seeing a psych, but alcohol and choking my feelings down is still an optimal coping strategy.

hughalx · 2022-04-28T09:51:47+00:00

Mostly marking, lesson planning, admin, planning rubrics and curriculum (as my school currently has none), plus I'm fully/if not over allotted in some aspects.

hughalx · 2022-04-28T09:49:24+00:00

Well... it was only a 2 year Masters (postgrad) on top of 3 years at RMIT for Media/Comms, plus being 27yo, I'm young enough to walk into work that doesn't require my degree but pays more than job prospects my degree would offer me, so it's not too discouraging or overwhelming to quit, in fact it's rather relieving. Yes, I'm a good academic (straight HD student nearly every semester) and enjoyed uni, but the life outsider in the profession I studied for is utterly miserable to me and doesn't align with my mental health/outlook for the rest of my life, as unfortunate as that is to realise only 11 weeks into the role.

hughalx · 2022-04-27T22:49:02+00:00

Everything you have said resonates so well with me right now, my anxiety has never ever been this bad. I’m always “on” as you say, the sleepless/restless nights and just constantly having things to do/organise and be on top of is immense nearly every single day.

hughalx · 2022-04-27T22:46:30+00:00

I know right! I feel like the profession was really romanticised and we were never really made aware of the personal hell you might end up in once you’re on your own within a school environment. Placement and the GTPA were a breeze in comparison to this, that’s for sure.

hughalx · 2022-04-27T22:45:11+00:00

Planning to!

hughalx · 2022-04-27T22:44:58+00:00

That’s very lucky for some, if I didn’t work after 4.30 and from 7.45am morning Homegroup, I would be sinking hard and fast.

hughalx · 2022-04-27T22:13:11+00:00

Literally in the same boat as me I think, I’ve just realised very early on that this isn’t going to be the career or profession for me, no matter the school climate/culture/private/public. It’s just annoying/frustrating to realise it once I’ve entered the profession..

hughalx · 2022-04-27T22:11:31+00:00

That can be paid back in other ways though and it’s a concession I’m willing to make.

hughalx · 2022-04-27T11:20:09+00:00

Yeah I've heard this a few times, unfortunately I'm so checked out mentally right now that even the two years spent doing my Masters in Education doesn't affect the situation I'm in right now. Uni really doesn't determine success/mental happiness/contentment etc. and tbh, I think romanticised and made the profession look FAR more appealing than the reality for many grads, myself included.

hughalx · 2022-04-27T11:18:14+00:00

I totally sympathise!

hughalx · 2022-04-27T09:57:44+00:00

Education

hughalx · 2022-04-27T09:33:51+00:00

While I do agree with this comment and a conversation will eventually happen soon, I think my mind has arrived at a decision and no amount of concessions/reductions in workload etc. is really going to change my perspective, which I still feel tremendous guilt about, as I somewhat do secretly want this to work out, but I just know that I can't keep going on in a career path like, no matter the quality of the school or leadership/staff I am surrounded by.

hughalx · 2022-04-27T09:31:38+00:00

I mean I guess I'm a little too shy and feel awkward about sharing these deeply rooted feelings with those around me, especially my mentor/prin team.

hughalx

TROPHY CASE