Chopped

This past fall, we met with a landscaper to discuss improving our curb appeal. With so much yard to update, we can only afford to make changes in phases.

The landscaper suggested we start with hiring an arborist to discuss tree removal. I'd never heard of an arborist! Basically, he's the tree specialist. If we want grass, we need more sunlight, which means eliminating shady trees. Simple enough.

So the arborist showed us which trees to keep and which ones to cut down. The price of professional tree removal almost made me fall down! But I must say, now that the job is finished, it was money well spent. The heavy duty equipment and precise planning involved to chop down huge trees was more complicated than I originally thought. 

With the removal of an elm and a few cedars in our front yard, we can now see our home (and the roof) so much better from the road. Sunlight finally floods the foyer and front bedroom beautifully! In the backyard, they cut down a tree that was dead and one that was leaning way too close to our deck.

Check out the results...

Let's start with pictures from the FRONT yard.
This view is from our front porch. Those two trunks, front and center, were removed.

Providing too much shade, this giant (it's the same tree as the picture above on the right side) had to go....

Another view of just how tall these trees soar....

Watch this short video ... 

Timber !! 

BEFORE & AFTER

Moving on to the BACKYARD....

Yes, that is a man climbing up the tree. He installed a steel bar between the trunks for extra stability and support. We didn't want these trees to be chopped, and since they are so close to our deck, we needed to install the support beam.

This leaning tree (tagged with the orange tape) posed a high risk of falling on our house and deck; it was an easy decision to cut. 

The leaning tree, falling away from our house. These guys were so safe and precise. They did a great job!  

Now, we are going to start saving again before beginning the next phase of landscaping! But for now, we are checking "New Fence" and "Tree Removal" off our list.