JoAnne Skelly
I’m daunted. I admit it. What is it making me apprehensive? It’s the fact that two well-loved spruces over 30 feet tall must be removed. Why would a tree hugger like me even consider cutting down two beautiful, healthy trees?
Because, when we recently had to have the line going to our leach field replaced, it was filled with roots. If I leave the trees, it is likely that our septic system will be damaged beyond repair. When we moved here in 1988, the trees were about six feet tall.
I have devotedly watered and cared for them for all these years, because I love trees. In addition to my personal attachment, the owls are nesting in the trees this year and I don’t want to hurt the owlets.
However, the cost of replacing the septic system is pretty scary, so I will do what I must (and probably cry the whole time they are being removed!). Unfortunately, an ash tree I have nurtured from a seedling to its current 30-foot height also must be removed.
Its roots are part of the problem too. I allowed the ash tree to grow because I knew a birch tree right behind it was on its way out. When the birch died, I had a nice sized ash tree in its place. Why did I let trees grow near the leach field?
I never really knew where it actually was. I just knew where the vault for the septic system was. The trees are a good distance from that, so I thought (hoped) we were in good shape. How shortsighted of me!
As a horticulturist I know better, but I didn’t even consider future conflicts. I was too wound up with keeping my tree friends thriving. I have always had a difficult time letting a tree die or worse, cutting one down.
The landscaping moral of the story is, “Think before you plant and think before you allow things to get out of hand.” Don’t plant trees near septic systems, close to houses or under power lines.
Don’t think that 20 one-gallon junipers will never grow into a fire hazard barrier filled with rodents and yellowjackets. Don’t allow every single volunteer to grow.
Prune and thin plants before they grow so large and thick that an excavator is necessary to control them. I have learned some hard lessons with a 37-year-old landscape. What was I thinking!!!
JoAnne Skelly is Associate Professor & Extension Educator, Emerita University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Email skellyj@unr.edu.