I have seven mature trees to the south and west of my house that need to come down because:

Two are alders and I'm allergic to them.

Three on the south are evergreens and block the sun (rare enough here without adding shade).

Two are large and very close to the house. They had major damage to large roots when the dirt was graded away from the house foundation, and I'm afraid they could fall on the house.

Anyway, I'm not sure how to do this the best way. I mean, how do you properly say, "No offense, but I've got to kill you" to something that big and that old?

I will welcome any thoughts on this subject.

Thanks.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

Answers

I think the native americans had it right when they gave thanks and offered something to show respect for what they were taking. Tobacco might not be right but perhaps some other 'weed' hehehehe jz

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

Laura this may be very silly but when I take down a live tree I take a seed from its branches or from the ground and plant it somewhere appropriate. Remember you don't completely kill a tree because they are replanting themselves constantly. Maybe just your love of trees is enough. Love your big heart!!!.....Kirk

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

oh my god oh my god hold the phone here!! Put the brakes on the chainsaws for a minute!

Don't go cuttin down no trees please just yet.........lets talk ALLERGIES first!

There are all kinda ways to deal with allergies that don't involve destroying our sweet trees....lets talk?

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Laura, Are you sure that you want to do this. Have you imagined what it will be like without the trees. I just can't imagine cutting down any of my trees, they are all so unique and special.

Earth Mama is right about the allergies, Hey remember me, I'm the flower lady and I developed allergies to POLLEN ! man was I misserable for a few years, but did I get rid of all my flowers, no Way! I am perfectly fine now, I drink Nettle tea all spring, and I buy and eat raw local grown honey, and that takes care of pollen allergies. It's pretty cool the bees make the honey like a homeopathic remedy. I am practically allergy free now.

Having evergreens on the south also protects you from strong heat in the summer and strong winds.

Well ya know they are your trees and I guess that you can do what ya want, just had to put my two cents in.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Ditto on allergies.

I'm guessing you don't live in the south? I would hold you off with the shotgun if you tried to cut down the shade trees that are to the south and west of my old house! As our farmer said "people would kill to have those nice shade trees".It gets hot here,and those trees ameliorate the ambient temps by at least 10 degrees all summer.Give it further thought,perhaps? However,the ones close to the house and damaged are probably goners anyway.I saw this type of damage and mortality frequently when I worked.

Alternative is to plant something fast growing and deciduous to replace the pines. = Shade in summer,sun in winter.

Advice respectfully submitted by your local "bark fondling,tree hugging eco-freak" (As labeled by SOME folks).

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

We hate to take down live trees too, but in the greater scheme of things we all have much greater environmental sins! Our approach is to (1) plant other trees to replace the ones we cut (how about orchard or flowering trees?) and (2) use all the lumber for firewood, etc, which SAVES trees and resources elsewhere.

I'd certainly replace the shade trees, but use deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the winter when you need the sun. How about some stunning red maples or a spectacular horse chestnut?

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Hi folks,

Thanks for all the great responses!

About the allergies, it's only the two alders that I have problems with. Actually, they will probably stay for at least a few years until some other trees grow up, which will give me some time to try out any allergy solutions. Trendle or Earthmama, do you think nettle tea would have any effect on alder allergies? Also, do bees visit alders? It always seems that they bloom too early in the year for bees, but I guess they have to get pollinated somehow. Wind maybe? I will welcome suggestions. So far, I've been relying on steroids to get me through alder season, and that's without having two big ones 30 feet from my front door!

As for the two large injured trees overhanging or very close to the house, I'm pretty sure the damage has been done. I'm just not really willing to let nature take her course and plant the trees in the middle of my house. It was pretty disconcerting to drive up one day and find a smallish tree (25 feet) laying across the driveway. It was blown down by the not unusually strong west wind - the roots were all rotten - and if the tree had been 20 feet taller, the dining room would be matchsticks now.

The three evergreens to the south are the youngest of the lot, maybe 20 years old. I live in the Pacific Northwest. People here suffer from depression caused by lack of sunlight in the winter, and summers rarely get over 75 or 80 degrees. Shade trees are nice in the summer, but I can't imagine what kind of person would plant EVERGREENS to the south of their house in this area.

So, I thought I would replace the five trees nearest the house with deciduous trees that don't get too tall. I currently have a witch hazel, and I have some figs started that should do well on a south wall. I'm also considering peaches, and there is a really nice magnolia that does well around here. For the two alders that are a bit further out, if I can't live with them, I thought maybe a curly willow or two would give largely the same effect, although the red maple is a nice idea if they don't get too big.

By the way, we just put in twelve new fruit trees and are rehabilitating the three that were already there, so I think we're still way ahead on the overall tree count. It's more the individuals themselves I'm concerned about.

Kirk, I like your idea. I think one tree even has some suckers I could plant back in my woods. And jz, you're crackin' me up!

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Nettle tea and local honey are excellent ideas. If you have an open mind for alternative healing methods, do a search on NAET. I've gotten rid of most of my allergies this way, and they are truly gone.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Laura, tough one! I hate the thought of taking down a healthy tree too, but sometimes it's unavoidable. IF you decide to cut the alders, consider having them milled, they make beautiful lumber. Our kitchen countertops are alder, all you do is seal with polyurethane, it turns a beautiful rich color without any kind of staining. Perhaps you could build something wonderful for your house? That way you'd still have them, after a fashion.

I love trees, but I'm an amateur woodworker and we heat with wood. I can't kill an animal, but am not strictly vegetarian. Love the pristine woods, but built a house there. Qualifies me as a world- class hypocrite, no? Everything's a compromise, I reckon. Do what you have to do with respect and the tree gods will understand.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Advice respectfully submitted by your local "bark fondling,tree hugging eco-freak"

sharon: LOL! Bark fondling, eh? That conjures up an interesting picture in my mind.

Tren and Earthmama: Thanks for the info on honey and nettle tea. I'll have to check that out as my allergies have gotten considerably worse as of late - to the point that I'm now consdering taking allergy shots again.

Earthmama: I'm searching now on Google for any info regarding NAET. Thanks!

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001

Uhhhh... Jim....you sure you want to get me started? My sly references to human sexually is one of the reasons I got targeted for removal from CS! Too wanton. Don't you be baiting me now. Well,this big mouth mamma bass just ain't biting.

Well.....OK maybe just a nibble.....

Can't immagine wanting to fondle bark myself. Prefer Nick,personally. VBEG

Now look what you did! I get thrown off here, it's all your fault! Oh I guess you will make that decision,huh. Suckered me right in, didn't you? You ARE demon spawn. I will never speak to you again. You scoundrel, you.

Come on, let me stay. PLEASE. I'll behave,mostly anyway. Really. I will. Really.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001

LOL!

I'm sure Nick would agree that fondling bark encourages upright "woody" stems, eh?

Ahem! Well, don't let me get in the way of your, um... fondling, sharon. I'll just turn off the lights on my way out. :O)

And please don't even think about behaving. The forum would get might dull if that happened.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001