As you may remember, I turned 60 this summer. My husband hits the Social Security age next week. There isn’t as much spring in our steps as there was three decades ago—or even two decades ago—or even one decade ago for that matter. We had two humongous pine trees in our front yard. Husband didn’t want to take them down until after 33 years of picking up pine cones and raking pine straw all year, he began to see the benefits of letting them go. Additionally, the roots were affecting the driveway and the foundation of the house. We have a visible surface root 30 feet away from the base of one tree.

We had them removed this summer. It was an incredible feat in my opinion. The tree boss man said they were over 100 feet tall. Just the limbs from the two trees filled TWO big trucks. Our neighbor counted the rings at 92. I give you stats to explain the bravado (that’s a nice adjective) those tree guys have. One was in the very top of a tree–no shirt, no helmet, and no gloves. Only a cigarette in his mouth and a chain saw. YIKES, I could barely watch. That’s him at the top on the left!!!!!

After they were gone, it was like having a clean slate. We had always had to landscape around them. My friend and landscape designer came over, and we came up with a plan. I stressed EASY CARE :). She came up with a wonderful design.

After trees gone and before the magic

Once the plan was spray painted out on the yard, the grass folks came to aerate and seed. Then this past weekend the landscape crew came in and completely transformed our yard. My neighbor across the street said she felt like she was watching an HGTV episode! They not only transplanted and planted, they also weeded and cleared out the ENTIRE YARD!!!! That is the perk—-feeling okay to pay someone instead of doing it yourself. Now, of course, if you aren’t physically capable that’s another story ???? Here are some afters. I am SO happy with the way it turned out. Still waiting for the grass to finish germinating, so the lawn is spotty right now.