Today, I’m heading down to New Orleans, along with part of my family, to spend Labor Day weekend with my niece, Lauren. We are excited to see their new house and help her get some things done around there while we are there, like painting furniture and walls. I’ll have lots of fun blog posts to share when I get back! I’ll bet there will be baby and nursery talk this weekend too. 🙂
But today, since I share most everything that goes on around my house project-wise, I thought I’d share the latest with you. Last week I had 2 trees cut down in my front yard, so I documented it with pics. I’m not a huge tree cutter and tend to want to hang onto my trees for the most part, but sometimes a tree can be dangerous and too close to the house and when that is the case, I’m not at all afraid to cut one down. Such is the case with a huge pine tree that straddled the line with me and one of my neighbors. I talked to my neighbor about cutting down the tree, but he didn’t want to share the costs. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask, so I did. He gave me his blessing on taking the tree down, although didn’t really see the need. The tree was leaning towards my house and I have heard horror stories about big pines falling in storms, so I figured I’d better be safe and get it down. It might have stayed up for 100 years, but I didn’t want to take a chance on it falling. Plus, pine trees are so messy. I don’t love their pinecones falling in my front yard and the messy pine straw they leave behind.
So, goodbye big pine tree!
There was also another smaller cherry tree, one of 3 trees lined up across my front yard that also needed to go. It had dead limbs on one side and was growing into my beautiful pink dogwood tree, so it was time for it to come down too. I’m left with 2 pretty trees in the front yard, one pink cherry and one pink dogwood, so that’s a nice view for me. I got a recommendation from one of my friends who used a local tree cutter and she put me in touch with them. I was very satisfied with the estimate I got to take down both these trees: $550 for both!
When you see the size of my pine tree, I think you’ll agree, this was a good price! That was a scary proposition to watch and I was a tree climber from way back, but you couldn’t pay me to do what this guy did.
So, here’s what I started with. 3 trees lined up in my front yard. There’s a pink cherry on the right and a pink dogwood on the left, which is just gorgeous in Spring. The pink cherry in the middle, however, has seen better days, with several dying limbs and it was growing into the side of my dogwood tree, so it was time to take ‘er down.
Here’s a good angle so you can see how close it is to my beautiful dogwood.
Growing right into the side, I definitely didn’t want it impeding on my dogwood growth and health.
This monstrous pine sits right on the line with me and my neighbor. It drops pinecones and pine straw and is not my favorite tree to have around. I’ve heard they have shallow roots and can uproot during storms, so it made me nervous, looming over my house.
As you can see from this angle, it is definitely leaning towards my mansion. 
And we can’t have that!
This is a good shot of how big the tree is. Not a small feat to get this sucker down.
The crew of about 6 guys showed up to take my 2 trees down last Friday. They were thorough and knew what they were doing and I was very happy with how they handled it all. First, chainsaws took down all the limbs and they cut this cherry tree down to a stump.
Limb by limb and it was gone in just a few minutes. They brought in a small bulldozer to move around the trunk of the big tree and a big truck and wood chipper to get rid of all this wood. I could have kept some wood chips, but told them to haul it all off, please.
Cherry tree gone!
Limbs and debris that got fed into the wood chipper. They were here about 4 hours.
This big truck hauled off all the wood chips.
Next, it was time for the big one. That big pine is no joke. You can see those 2 guys and how small they look next to the tree.
The smaller guy took off up the tree with ropes and a gas powered chain saw. He had spikes in his shoes to climb the tree. As much as I loved climbing trees as a child, no way would I climb this thing. You have to be young and agile to do this. This guy knew just how to do it and I watched the whole process.
Limb by limb he started cutting them all off, working his way up the tree trunk.
Big limbs fell in the yard and the other guys drug them over and got them ready to go in the wood chipper.
Limbs fell all over the place.
Before long, the bottom limbs were all gone and the trunk was bare. He inched his way to the top.
Once all those bigger limbs were gone, then he picked a spot on the trunk which would take down the rest of the top of the tree. This was pretty amazing!
Timberrrrr!! Isn’t that what they yell when a tree comes down?
I did this in an animated gif program on Photoscape and got the whole top coming down. Incredible, isn’t it? Cutting both sides of the trunk with the chain saw, they had a rope tied to the top and 2 guys out in the road, insuring that it would fall where they wanted it to fall.
Then, just the trunk was left. I missed how they got this down since I was inside the house, but the huge thud and shaking of my house told me when the whole trunk came down. I think they probably did the same method and cut it down at the bottom with the chainsaw, pulling it down where they wanted it.
Once I heard the thud from inside, I went to the front door to see it laying on the ground, the massive stump left.
They then cut it all up and chipped it too. Maybe I should have asked for a slice of wood, that might have been fun. Oh well!
Once they were finished, my front yard looked like this. They did a very thorough job of cleaning up and I was very pleased.
All that is left of the pine tree now. I may have someone come back and grind the stumps, but I won’t be in a hurry about that. This company didn’t do that part.
The front of my house looks a little cleaner now with the broken down cherry tree gone. Now my beautiful dogwood can take off and spread out like it needs to. I’ve got lots of big plans to landscape this house and I’m waiting for a guy that I know to come and build me a cute front porch and peaked roof with columns. He’s really busy, but I’m hoping he will get to me in the next couple of months before it gets too cold. I can’t wait to get that done too and it will add a lot of charm to the front of my house.
So, that’s the low down on taking down some trees! Have you had to do that at your house too?
I’m glad I didn’t have tons of trees to have to take down. Some of the houses we looked at before I got this one were full of awful pine trees close to the house and overgrown backyards. I’m so glad that I ended up with a yard that’s a blank slate and I don’t have to do a lot of tearing out.
Landscaping additions, yes please!
The Lutron giveaway is closed and the five winners have been announced and emailed!
Good landscaping decision! It looks much better!
But…..what possible reason would there be to mention that the guy was Hispanic? How is that relevant to anything?
Love the look ! Love the plan for your front door area –
doesn’t a coverd porch the length to the left of your entry
sound wonderfu/invitingl! Wish I were there to help you –
hugs and happiness for you, patti
Hi, Rhoda
I’d love the name and number of the guys that did your tree work. We need some large pines removed as the roots have cracked our driveway. Since I am local in Cobb Cty, would you mind sharing their contact info? Just send an email to me if you would rather not post on your blog.
Thanks!
Jayne
Hi Jayne,I don’t mind sharing: Daniel’s tree service 770-917-1783
My only comment today is that you should leave out the word “Hispanic” when describing the guy who is in your pictures. It’s very unnecessary-his race should have nothing to do with how well he is taking down your tree. If someone were writing about you, would you want them to say, “That white woman who writes a blog…”? I’m sure he would appreciate being called competent, young, etc. more so than being identified by his ethnicity.
I agree Susan…I winced at that as well… :/
Hello Rhoda,
You definitely got a good price for these trees, shredding and clean up! That big pine did need to go – we took down some trees near our home when we moved in – one was a Magnolia – I’d always wanted one, but its roots were compromising our foundation. Had to go. I read your feature on Trish’s blog, The Old Post Road – I was drawn because she lives nearby – we used to live in Lawrenceville and now live in Sparta – southeast of Madison – love that town!
Hope you have a blessed weekend,
Kathy
Good decision to remove the tree. But when you calculate all of the equipment and manpower involved, $550 seems too low to pay the men appropriately for this dangerous work.
Ok folks, the word Hispanic has been removed from my post. I did not realize what a hot button that would push. No offense was intended.
Thank you! Reminds me of the Maya Angelou quote- “When you know better, you do better!” Now you know 🙂
Rhoda,
I can’t help but express my concern for the lack of safety during this “operation”. Felling trees is an extremely dangerous occupation, second only to Alaska fishermen, and these men are NOT following the law. Did you check to see if they are insured? We had several trees removed from our property and paid $1,000 each and it was well worth the piece of mind knowing that the company is LICENSED and also carries General Liability and Workers Comp. I can’t stress enough how distressing it was for me to see this man climing a tree, shirtless and without a hard hat. I strongly discourage anyone from hiring an outfit such as this one. I hope that anyone looking to have work done in their home asks for a Certificate of Insurance for any contractor or sub-contractor. This is dangerous work that has far reaching consequences if something were to go wrong. Should they be uninsured, the homeowner would be considered negligent in the matter.
Not judging, just a highly concerned insurance agent looking out for everyone!
Hi, the owner verbally told me he has a million $ liability policy. I took his word & didn’t see it.
Hi Rhoda,
I am not a fan of pine trees either and for all the same reasons you listed. What I am a fan of is the photoscape technique you used! Great animation!
We had a cherry tree fall last week because of all of the rain we have had in Western North Carolina. So, you did the right thing, White Girl. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
Great animation! Awful big tree! Glad you took it out. Parallel lives-we just had 12 trees removed from our street yesterday. They were nearly 30 years old (west coast old!) and beginning to pull up sidewalks and driveways. A little bare now but there’s a fall replanting plan. The circle of tree life! Hope you’ll take a pic of the Dogwood in Spring for us.
Can’t wait to see your new landscaping. Winter is a great time to plan and save.
That was like an episode of This Old House. Thanks for sharing, it was fun to “watch!”
That was a very good price and they seemed to have done a professional job. You might try the epsom salt method to kill the stumps if you don’t have it ground out. In fact, I have a few to try it on myself. Leaving them opens your home up to termite damage, especially given their proximity to your house. (Ask me how I know. 🙁 )
Regarding the “comment”… I’m 100% sure Rhoda meant no harm or disrespect with her remark, but merely meant it as an “identification”. I wouldn’t be reading this blog if I felt otherwise. Her warmth and acceptance of everyone leaps across the web. However, if one has never been singled out for things one can’t change, either disabilities, family background, religion, accent, or even economic/ social status, you can never know how hurtful that can be. I never quite understood the broohaha, until I was unknowingly included in such remarks by someone thinking I’d be in agreement. I suddenly felt how so many others must feel on a daily basis and it was devastating.
This is NOT to imply that I felt the comment in question was in anyway meant as a diss at all, but it could unwittingly hurt someone’s feelings and that’s the point of the above comments.
Now, let’s get back to great design and a stupendous rehab!
You could apply the adage: only keep what you know to be beautiful or useful. The cherry tree no longer made the grade. And after seeing so many tall pines come down here in NJ during hurricane Sandy, you definitely made a good decision on the tippy pine tree.
I didn’t even notice the stereotype remark and completely understand that you meant no harm from it. I hope these comments haven’t ruined your day or stressed you out on your trip. If this would have been me I would have appreciated it if someone would have let me know by e-mail instead of by public comment. Have a wonderful trip in NOLA and have fun brainstorming for the baby room.
Rhoda, We had a tree cut down about that size in Alpharetta and the one tree was $600, so you got a very good price! It was between our house and the neighbors, but closer to both houses so they had to get it down right. I was relieved when it was down because it appeared to be dying, and like you, I didn’t want it to land on my house.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you do to your front yard, and am so glad you’re adding a front porch!
Loce your blog. I live in Atlanta an am in desperate need of a tree man. Would you be so kind to share your source with me ?
A comtact number would be wonderful. With all the rain we have had in Atlanta recently they are all pretty booked up
Thanks
Jane
Jane, see above, I shared in a comment above.
I so enjoy your website, Rhoda and have told many of my friends about it. Your house is lovely and I’m guessing that your spirit is, too! Maybe folks need to be less sensitive…we all are what we are. I would never be offended if someone described me by my race and/or physical description. How else would they know who I am unless someone said, “the short, asian lady with the bright red lipstick,” or “the heavy-set, white lady with the brown hair,” or “the tall, black lady in the tan shirt,”??? Bet you never imagined your sweet blog would become a sounding board for ethnicity awareness! Just because somebody tells me something is “wrong,” doesn’t make it so. HUGS
Thanks Tracy, for your thoughtful comment. I too think folks are extra sensitive these days and it’s hard to make everyone happy. 🙂 I try not to intentionally step on toes, but it may happen sometimes.
Rho,
We know all about getting those awful pine trees out of the way. We had thirteen trees taken out in 2008. One tree completly stripped out weighed 10,000 pounds. Yes,it was leaning towards our house. We had one fall on our house when we lived in East Cobb. It was a neighbors tree, and it was a mess. He did nothing to help. Sounds like your neighbor. Our insurance company had to take care of the clean up. Good riddance pine trees!