At the end of October we had our old maple tree taken down. I fought it for years, but the tree was old and Tracy was concerned about branches coming down on the house. Matt finally convinced me it was time. Here she is, the morning of her demise.
It is quite a process to take down such a big tree, and we were very impressed with the company who did the job. Here’s a look at the process.
The cherry picker and a series of ropes and pulleys safely removed the huge branches.
All the branches were ground up and turned into mulch as they came down. You can see the grinding machine in the next photo.
Gone! The huge trunk was cut into pieces and hauled off in a truck.
I had to admit that one advantage of having this tree removed is the increase in light in our living room. Our neighbors also thanked us, saying the light in their kitchen doubled.
To sweeten the loss a bit, Tracy promised to have a new tree put in. The old maple was taken down on a Friday and the next week the new maple arrived. It’s a Sunset Red Maple, and I hope to see bright red leaves next fall. It’s supposed to be a quick growing tree, although it will never be as large as the old one in my life time. Putting the new tree in was almost as interesting to watch as taking down the old one. But it certainly didn’t take as long.
I think we’ve done more home improvement projects in just one year than we did in the previous 27 years. Tracy has repainted the whole downstairs, we finally got a big screen TV and rearranged the living room, we’ve redecorated (and repainted) the guest room, the kitchen has been remodeled, and now the tree. Not that there aren’t plenty more projects to do. But I think we’re done for awhile, although Tracy still has some painting projects he’d like to get to.
When I get home, the kitchen will officially be done. The week before we left, the subway tiles went in and the kitchen was painted. After we left, the final coat on the floors was put on, and the light over the kitchen table was hung. We’ve ordered blinds which should come early next month, and then I’ll have photos for you. It really is a dream kitchen—one I never expected to have, and I can’t wait to settle in.
The process is quite amazing and I am really looking forward to seeing the pictures of teh finished kitchen!
We have a lemon scented gum tree which is magnificent, each time it rains a beautiful lemony-eucalypt smell fills our garden and it always attracts the lorikeets and other parrots – anyway, it too has to come down and I am not looking forward to that day!
It looks like your house is beautifully situated Karen – all that greenery! I’m looking forward to seeing the kitchen pictures
What a shame that it had to come down, but how wonderful that you have managed to put in a replacement – so many people don’t around us -they just take down the trees and leave an unsightly gap. Looking forward to seeing the photos of your kitchen!
Well done for taking the pictures, how brave are you? I couldn’t watch when our big old leylandii came down. Looking forward to seeing the beautiful red leaves on the new Maple next year.
This looks great. My one little word for 2012 is going to be “home.”
Rinda
Wow, y’all certainly have completed a lot of projects this year. I’ve watched a large tree being taken down before, too, and it was very impressive how they started with the top branches and worked down.
Hope you are enjoying your trip.
Man-o-man, that was one big tree! It’s amazing how tree guys can bring a tree that size down without any mishaps, isn’t it? When Doug cut the tree down in our backyard I was a nervous wreck watching him – LOL – and it was a mere twig compared to yours! Glad to hear that it brings more light in for everyone, and that you replaced it with new life.
PS: Can’t wait to see the new kitchen!
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