Let There Be Light

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One of the things I was happiest about when I purchased my brownstone that I would have a garden. I like the digging, raking and cultivating that a garden requires. The truth is, I still love to play in the dirt.

However, I quickly noticed that the tree both next door and the one on the property line were in need of some TLC. The big Silver Maple had been hit by lightening a few years ago, which left a lot of dead wood that would have to go and the Magnolia was a mass of suckers gone awry. My raised bed planters were flourishing on one side of the yard and on the other - let's just say I was growing a species of mushrooms nobody had ever seen before. It wasn't just the issue of partial shade, because it didn't get enough sun, the area was damp. It also appeared to be an Interstate for squirrels who ran the branches - and which from time to time would come down and noshing on my bulbs and tomatoes.

Both trees were going to need some professional help. 

Enter Urban Arborists, a great Brooklyn group that really knows their stuff. I interviewed and got estimates from five companies and there was no comparison — hands down Urban Arborists knew more about how and when, to prune the trees for long-term health and shape them properly for years of lasting beauty. And all of which were going to lead to better light for both backyards.

The team was incredibly well tuned, with one member up in the trees, another on ropes and ground work while a third cleared to the giant mulcher and truck on the street. In the end, they packed out everything, I wasn't left with as much as a missed limb or leaf.

I can't imagine climbing up into these trees and this guy did it with a chainsaw hanging from his waist.

In the after photo, you can see that I will now have a wonderful source of beautifully filtered full sun all day. I could literally hear my roses and peonies cheering yesterday afternoon. I now have a wonderful garden, where things other than mushrooms with grown and where I can have a great time getting my hands dirty.

—Laurie