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A Gardener's Notebook: The latest incarnation of my column detailing the trails and tribulations of my garden. Join the list and ask your own questions about gardening Subscribe

I seem to revisit this topic at least once a year, but as many of you know, the trimming and removal of trees is an on-going project in a backyard forest such as ours. As always, I hate to see large trees go, but this feeling is assuaged somewhat by understanding that their loss will mean improved health and appearance for the trees that remain and for the garden as a whole. Gardens are controlled environments and even the most naturalistic plantings are maintained only through constant adaptation and care.

Photo of an earlier tree removal project

Here they come…

Early last Monday morning 2 large trucks with cherry-pickers appeared in my driveway. This is, by far, the largest production I have ever hosted in my garden. From the start, though, luck was with us.

The rear garden is barely accessible by wheelbarrow, let alone a large tree trimming truck. In the past, workers have had to either climb trees or use tall ladders to accomplish their work. This time, though, a quick discussion with the general manager of the new car lot that abuts the rear of our property allowed the workers to setup both their truck and chipper/shredder on the other side of our fence, directly beneath their work. In what seemed like minutes 2 Aleppo pines, a large ash tree and a volunteer fan palm were gone. Better yet, they didn't have to drag the branches through the rest of the rear garden, which prevented the broken stems and crushed plants that had occurred during previous work.

Two sections of the garden are now more open and this alleviates some of the "dankness" that carried even during the brightest days. While there is still enough shade to keep our upcoming baby shower guests cool, there is now enough light to allow the greenery to shine out and provide a festive environment.

The open spaces also allow for several small cypress trees to gradually grow into their spots instead of being crowded out by the larger trees. The cypress seem to tolerate the shady conditions better than the Aleppo pines which had developed large bunches of dead needles below, even though they seemed green and healthy above.

Good neighbors

The front garden presented a little more difficulty for the workers. I have very good relations with the neighbors on both sides, but one has always taken issue with a series of 2 ash and 1 camphor tree that line the driveway between our properties. He has always called on me to "top" the trees so that they didn't get any bigger. He thought this would keep them growing any larger and keep their branches from contacting the side and roof of his house. It took quite a bit of explaining to assure him that "topping" the trees would actually increase these problems instead of reducing them.

These trees have always been in bad shape and only after 4 years of pruning are they starting to resemble their natural shape and habit. My goal is to get them back into shape so that they rise above his house, removing the problem of contact and also allowing more light beneath the tree. I think a few more years will show the results if I can keep him from reversing the process. I think I have forestalled him for another year, I hope.

The final and largest project was the pruning of the large elm tree that dominates the front yard. The cherry-picker truck allowed the workmen full access and before long I noticed much more light entering the living room where I was sitting with my son, Joseph, watching cartoons. While the elm helps to keep the hot afternoon sun off of the house, it was actually providing too much shade and causing the roses to reach outwards for the sun. It also needed to be trimmed away from the fireplace chimney in preparation for this winter.

The elm tree as it was when we first purchased our house.

The only disappointment of the project was that the low quality of the chipped and shredded trees made it unusable for lining the paths or mulching the garden beds. The tree company might be able to drop off a load from another job in the neighborhood, but it looks as if I am going to have to go and buy some mulch to dress up the flower beds before the upcoming event. You can't have everything, I guess.

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Tree Pruning Links

How to correctly prune a tree

Prune tree with care, not by 'topping' - Corpus Christi Caller-Times

What was happening a year ago (or more) in my garden? August 1, 1999 Heat Wave August 1996 Refurbishing an older garden (1st AGN Column)