Timber!!!

Nosario and Pedro survey the damage after the Oak tree at the corner of the house was cut down. The root was dangerously close to the foundation so the tree had to go. Jeremiah's crew was here for two full days cutting, grinding and schredding. I have three people lined up to take the firewood - which looks to be about three cords.
Jesus did all of the high work - in the bucket if it reached - and he took down the three trees in front of the corner bedroom. The other problem tree was the big Oak that used to have the swing in it. The giant rot hole, a systemic Mistletoe problem and obvious rotted areas on both major upper limbs doomed it. The third tree had been crowded out by the other two so it was both ugly and leaning toward the house at a pretty good angle - so it went too.

After the rotted trunk was down Jeremiah dug out the treasures of the past 37 years including several plastic army men, three rubber or nerf balls, various soda cans, burrito wrappers, unidentifiable metal stuff, a plethora of otter pop wrappers - but no Yellow Cup!

Mark, the stump grinder guy, ground down all of the stumps from trees past so there is no trace of any deforestation.

So, this is what it looks like in front. However, all of the trees, including the Digger Pines, were trimmed for balance, broken limbs from the big snow of last December, dead wood and mistletoe. The place looks good but we will have to do some replanting and pouring of concrete for the corner walkway.