Good bye my beautiful trees

The arborist finally came out this week to murder...I mean trim our trees from the damage done during hurricane Ike. It was determined that both trees needed to be topped off in order to save them since the "heart" of the trees were damaged. If we didn't do this they would slowly die....kinda dramatic huh?? He did tell me that they should grow new branches in the spring and eventually get back to normal size. So on Tuesday, they got started. It scared me to watch them as one guy climbed all the way to the top with just a rope tied around his waist and saw in hand while another guy held the rope on the ground. I was wondering how this would save him? If he fell, how is the guy on the ground going to stop him from plummeting to his death with just a rope? So I only watched a few minutes and spent the rest of day listening for blood curdling screams...which there weren't. The backyard tree had 50% taken off due to branches being broken all over the place in order to make it even. So now we have no shade and it makes our living room and bedroom much brighter in the morning without that coverage!

before the trimming

after the trimming


After seeing the backyard tree, I asked about just trimming the front instead of topping it. I was almost in tears thinking about my gorgeous tree being reduced to stubs. He said they could trim it to try and raise the canopy and see if that would work. I am very pleased with how it turned out and hopefully the tree will bounce back so we won't have to top it. I wish I had a picture of the tree before the storm because it covered the entire front yard (we never had to water in the summer)

before the trimming
after the trimming

On another note, I am feeling much better and slowly getting my strength back from my kidney infection. I have just realized I am going to have to really slow down these next 10-12 weeks since my body doesn't seem to be able to catch up with me. Brinley has enjoyed having a mom who can't chase her and can tear up the house as much as possible! Here is how she came out of her playroom yesterday.....