I promised Amy I'd cut a Christmas tree for us this weekend. I've narrowed it down to two choices. I've been meaning to remove both of these Norway spruce from my yard. Whichever one I don't take this year, will be next year's tree. The one in the front yard was one of the first trees my grandparents planted here. I can remember decorating it with Christmas lights when I was a kid. It's the tiny spruce in this woodburning that my grandfather made. By the time I bought this house, it had come to dominate most of the front yard. One of the first things that my Dad and I did was prune the lower branches off of it to about 10'-12'. That opened up the front yard a bit but I still can't grow any grass for about 10' radius around the base. And it's just an eyesore to me now the way that we pruned it. The one in the back yard was pruned a little nicer, but it shades out my little white oak, which is lacking a main leader so it's not doing it any favors. It may be close to encroaching on my leach field as well. Both of them have a favorable lean and enough room to put them right where I want them. The one in the front yard is a little bigger log, but it's a little crooked and has some pretty large knots so I don't think it will make the best lumber. But it would make some fine decking for some of my firewood pallets, and I need a couple more of those. I think the one in the back yard would make some nice lumber, but it's still a little on the small side, maybe 10" dbh. I'd be more inclined to let that one grow longer, if it wasn't encroaching on other things. Which one would you pick? Cast your vote!
Well of course, me and my chainsaw will cast the deciding vote tomorrow morning... So, c'mon, play along guys!! Get to that poll and vote!
If only those trees didn't have the history they have. I couldn't cut them down knowing they were planted by my grandparents. Not practical is that. When I was younger, no tree ever stood in my way if I got a itch to bring it down. But now, I have a different outlook. My son lives here with us now. He cuts the trees like I used to. I don't say anything because I remember how it was when I was his age. Besides, he cleans up his mess. He opened up some much overgrown woods near our house and made a disc golf course. I really enjoy being able to look down into the course. He limbed up a lot of the big stuff and removed all the little stuff and underbrush. Not so much of a fire hazard now. so if it was up to me, I would go get a Christmas tree from a tree farm.
I know just what you mean Larry. I've been looking at these two for a couple of years now and I'm still a little conflicted about it... Hence the thread and the need to tell their story. They were a lot smaller when my grandparents planted them though. And they planted a lot of nice trees. The one in the front, being the only remaining tree left from the woodburning, does make a very strong case for clemency... Ill have to sleep on it.
I'd go with the one out front as the pruning takes away the natural shape. Mill the wood up and make a nice piece of furniture or something. Sure, there is history in the tree, but a nicely crafted item will live on and be passed down. And of course, built from the tree your grandfather planted. It would he very fitting.
If you think that trimmed tree is ugly, just plant some brood leaf ever greens under it, Like Rhododendrons. They love an acid soil and will quickly fill in that empty space and very attractive esp. when they bloom. They love partial shade. That eye sore will then become curb appeal.
First, you need to put Christmas lights on the both of them and snap a few pics so we can make a better decision. Now get busy!
Oh Christmas tree oh...... Brother Shawn, why doesn't your poll offer the choice of "both?" Great thread bud!
Through the door you mean, right DaveGunter?!? Y'all can't hate me that much to want to see me drop it through the ceiling?! Right?
This sugar plum fairy says take down the one back by the shed---just don't let it become a nut cracker!!
Protect the poo tank by dropping the back tree. I like save money's idea of landscaping under the front tree.
