Probably not the right forum

[Marthe48]

6. The neighbor's pines are Scotch pines

and they were planted in the 1950s, so they weren't too old. They shed needles, but not into the gutters, too far from the house. They've never lost branches or broke in the storms we've had. The sweet gums in the back yard have both suffered damage, but the tree guys cut out the damage and saved the trees. I have a lot of volunteers growing in the yard, so I will get them relocated and see if they will grow to add some cover for the birds. The squirrels like the sweet gums, and I think there is a nest in one.

My Mom and Dad loved trees. When I was young, we had a windstorm, and a young wild tree behind our house was toppled by a bigger tree. They couldn't save the big tree, but my parents dug a hole in the front yard, and moved the young tree to that spot and it thrived. The young tree was about 20 feet tall. I remember them being so careful with the roots and using my Dad's Ford 9N tractor to move it. Maybe that influenced my outlook. One of my kids and her husband live near DC. When there was a heavy snow storm a few years ago, the weight of the snow knocked 2 of their pines askew. Their dear neighbor knew a tree company who came out and got the trees situated and braced. They survived.

I'm glad to hear from you, and really glad that some people cherish their trees.