We have two Birch trees in our back yard that need to be removed. They have simply grown too large for the space. They are encroaching on our neighbor's yard. They are really messy. They are also a rest stop for the Goldfinches that pass through every year. I swear. One of the hardest things to do in the garden is remove unwanted trees. Even as I wrote that it sounded like an oxymoron: unwanted trees.
But unwanted they are.
Brad took out one of them, but the other bigger one is beyond his skill set. So I made some phone calls. When the arborist I chose came over to assess the situation, he said, "Trees are like kids. When they're little they're small and cute, and they are fairly easy to take care of. Then they get big, and they make big messes, cause lots of problems, and become difficult to keep up with."
I always say the best course, when tree removal is inevitable, is to plant another more appropriate tree in another place in the yard. In fact, I've already planted the two replacement trees, high on our hill. They are California Sycamore trees that were started from seed back when I first began teaching over ten years ago. These trees are about 5 feet now, but they are growing fast. They will be excellent shade trees someday, and I look forward to that. In the meantime, I wish I could let go of the guilt I feel about removing these ones!
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