Wife's new idea

acme97 · Jul 8, 2011

J_J said:
Tree spades,

Why not try one of these. You can purchase one or perhaps make one .

That would be great, but don't weld and can't afford to buy one for the limited use I would give it. Of course alway willing to borrow one if someone has one close

.

Treemonkey1000 · Jul 8, 2011

Ok my 2cents worth is why add more yard work for yourself? The trees shed leaves that need to be cleaned up. They get big and can break and fall in storms. Why not use some kind of nice fencing to outline the circle? She can hang flower pots on the fence if she wants to..
If you feel the need to plant something even though you have a bountiful supply is try Arbor vitae (Junipers sometimes). You can prune them into shape as well...

beppington · Jul 8, 2011

I think you can rent tree relocaters.

The bottom line is that anything you do other than using a shovel is gonna cost at least some money.

Mace Canute · Jul 8, 2011

Treemonkey1000 said:
Ok my 2cents worth is why add more yard work for yourself? The trees shed leaves that need to be cleaned up. They get big and can break and fall in storms. Why not use some kind of nice fencing to outline the circle? She can hang flower pots on the fence if she wants to..
If you feel the need to plant something even though you have a bountiful supply is try Arbor vitae (Junipers sometimes). You can prune them into shape as well...

Gawd yes! Define the driveway with something - anything - other than poplar trees. Even a few good sized rocks would be better.

acme97 · Jul 8, 2011

Treemonkey1000 said:
Ok my 2cents worth is why add more yard work for yourself? The trees shed leaves that need to be cleaned up. They get big and can break and fall in storms. Why not use some kind of nice fencing to outline the circle? She can hang flower pots on the fence if she wants to..
If you feel the need to plant something even though you have a bountiful supply is try Arbor vitae (Junipers sometimes). You can prune them into shape as well...

Ever successfully win an arguement with a woman that had her mind made up?

I don't disagree about fence and that's my idea, but she wanted Oaks til I told her we would be long dead before they arched the driveway. I think it's the whole pretty southern drive view thing.

acme97 · Jul 8, 2011

beppington said:
I think you can rent tree relocaters.

The bottom line is that anything you do other than using a shovel is gonna cost at least some money.

True, in the most technical interpretation, but don't think can convince her that I would need to spend $400-600 for another toy. I'll have to see what renting something might be. Worst case, smaller tree and shovel works.

Treemonkey1000 · Jul 8, 2011

Acme I can't disagree about winning an argument with the Misses. Keeping the little Lady Happy isn't a bad thing. You can show her that the collective wisdom from this site sort of thought tree's woudn't be a good idea. Not that I am wise at all. Maybe I am getting lazy in my old age and look at the up- keep aspect now.. How ever it ends up good wishes to you..Poplars are a pretty soft wood and tend to shed themselves of leaves and branches pretty easily.

Mean Jean · Jul 8, 2011

Poplars transplant very easily.
Spring and Fall are the best times.

Find a branch which is 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch in dia.
Chop into 12 inch lengths.
Stick them in water for 12-24 hours.
Plant them bud side up.

Crazy how fast these buggers grow.

dstig1 · Jul 8, 2011

Poplars are pretty much weeds. I doubt it is possible to kill one. That is, until they fall over in a wind storm and are pretty much fully rotted by the time they hit the ground. I have a lot of them at my land where they logged some oaks many years back. I whacked a ton of them last year. Hate 'em.

newbury · Jul 8, 2011

acme97 said:
Ever successfully win an arguement with a woman that had her mind made up? I don't disagree about fence and that's my idea, but she wanted Oaks til I told her we would be long dead before they arched the driveway. I think it's the whole pretty southern drive view thing.

Yes, I have frequently won arguments with women who had their mind made up.
SWMBO's are like barges and bulls, you should not try to change their course abruptly and even then you should make them think it's their idea.

Oaks make perfect sense. But for now get some of the fastest growing tree you can get, AND your poplars, AND high quality oak saplings. Spread them out. The fastest should form a boundary next year, your poplars in a few years, and the oaks a bit down the line. You just have to cut down the less valuable ones while the oaks, which SWMBO wants, grow up.

/what SWMBO wants SWMBO gets, .... kind of