For year-round beauty my favorite tree is this Blue Spruce. It started out as a two-inch twig, a gift from Lissa.
Another tree that came one Christmas from Jenna is this Italian Pine. It was from Trader Joe’s, decorated with little ornaments.
Another special tree is the first one we planted when we moved here almost nineteen years ago. My younger son brought it from school when we were renting a house. We transplanted it when we moved.
Behind it, and much too close, is the Bradford Pear Bud brought over for my fiftieth birthday.
Many pines have been planted, but this was the only one here. Too bad it was planted so close to the driveway. That’s why some of the limbs were cut.
I continue to plant the seedlings that appear everywhere. Pines give year-round privacy.
In the spring the numerous dogwoods bloom. This is North Carolina’s state tree. But my favorites are the Redbuds, all gifts from Mike. This is Oklahoma’s state tree. My older son and I were born there, so I’ve planted several of them.
Once planted, there are lots of seedling.
So many trees are gorgeous in the fall, but this Japanese Maple ( a gift from Hazel) seems to have every color.
Now for the bad:
The white on this hemlock is Woolly Adelgid. It will kill the tree if not treated. This stump is all that’s left of a lovely Frasier Fur that was attacked by a cousin of the adelgid.
It’s now a trellis for a clematis.
And the ugly?
Not only is this Black Walnut right in the view all year round, but the web worms added to the unsightliness.
My lumberjack (one of his many talents) older son (below cutting a Jack pine) cut it back about fourteen years ago. Is it worth $1000.00 to have a tree service do it again?
