Plans

Plans are wonderful things. But sometimes we need more information. Or perhaps we are unknowingly in conflict with other planners and plans.

We have pretty much decided that the Austrees need to go. These 20-30 foot trees were planted by the previous owners. 5 are in the backyard and 3 are in front, all in straight rows. Nature typically has no straight rows. They are a nice screen for views of the road and the house. They contain some of the dust from the road. They have grown rapidly. But they die back almost as quickly with dead limbs reaching high through green growth and dead limbs falling on the ground. They are not indigenous. Their extensive roots rob the vitality of surrounding plants. They are close to the baby fruit trees. Decision made. Easy.

Until today.

2 more pieces of information presented themselves. (1) We had a frost this morning. The last frost date in these parts is April 22. We could easily see the "micro-climate" created by the trees, because the ground was frost free. Nice. Such buffers are very important. I can imagine that surrounding plants would like and need that.

(2) Mama and Papa Robin are proudly building a nest in the 1st Austree we intended to cut.

Plans are subject to change. Right?