For the past 4 days there has been a lot of activity around our house. We have had two large trees removed. One was the hickory tree, remember the story of the nuts here? Well, between the mess and the close proximity of it to three house, we decided to have it removed. Hoping it will give us some breathing room around our house. We hired someone to do the job since it’s location prohibited heavy equipment and the only way to get it down was to climb it. I was gone for the day so did not get to see how this was done. I am sure it would have been fun to watch. But over the weekend, Mark turned lumberjack and cut down a dying water oak. Living in a hurricane zone makes one think about trees falling. So here’s some photos…

We have one huge live oak on our property and one on the next door neighbors. They are full of spanish moss. Mark de-mossed and trimmed up this tree.

Here’s Max, “King of the moss”

and Matty, our young friend, on his Moss Mountain

By the time I was around, the water oak was de-limbed.

it was amazing to watch Mark work…

is there anything he can’t do?!

This is why we decided to take this tree down…

rotted in the center from the top to the bottom.

Mark could not have done it without the help of Pete

and Mike.

Mark took the time to give rides up in the lift. Life looks different from forty feet up!

We got above the tree line and could see Regatta Point Marina across the river, but for some reason I could not pry my hands off the rail to take a photo.

firewood anyone?

notice dirt ring around base of oak tree. no we do not have a horse, just a dog who runs like one.

while Mark was de-mossing the live oak, he found this baby squirrel and took me up for a look.

He was the cutest thing… completely comfortable with us and all the noise. He would roll over, scratch, and snuggle down in the leaves.

Here’s our house from above

So glad this project is over and very thankful for God’s protection… there were no injuries to people or things, just a need for some Advil and epsom salt soaks.

The neighborhood all had their opinion about taking this tree down. Some understood once they realized the danger it posed, but some seemed more concerned for the birds and squirrels than people. But all our neighbors were patient and understanding in putting up with four days of heavy equipment and chainsaw noise. I think we should throw a party as a thank you.

While writing this post just now, I decided I wanted to take a photo of our trash pile

and look what I saw!

Amazing isn’t it! I know he will miss that old tree, but there are plenty of others for him to relocate to.

Have a good day!