Getting used to look of yard after tree removal?

[Anonymous]

Sadly, we recently had to remove our 70yo tree from our backyard, and I’m having the hardest time getting used to the sterile look of the yard. It provided a canopy of shade and green. Obviously we could plant a new tree, and we likely will in the fall, but it will be a tiny fraction of what we had. I realize this is sort of ridiculous, but any advice on getting used to this new normal? I’m so shocked by my sadness over this loss.

[Anonymous]

Stop looking out at the yard. Shame you have no shade through the summer.

[Anonymous]

Get excited about what wonderful new bushes and trees you can put in!

We have to cut down two pines. I am looking forward to rebuilding the hedge they were in. I'm looking at a thornless flowering quince, and maybe a mock-orange.

For shade, we will plant a dwarf variety of Colorado Blue Spruce.

[Anonymous]

Lean into the replacement. Research either fast-growing trees or the cost of buying a relatively mature tree instead of a tiny sapling.

I get it - we had to take down one in the front, and we actually can't replace it because of all the buried lines in the area (the tree really should never have been planted there). I'm sad, but I'm thinking about bushes and perennials.

[Anonymous]

I’ve lost several large oaks over the years, and it most definitely changes how the yard looks. I’m replacing the oaks (nothing’s as good for wildlife) and adding other natives that come earlier in the succession. I enjoy the research and planning, and that has helped.

[Anonymous]

Yes this is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Look into a Sycamore tree. it is native and grows a bit faster than oak.

[Anonymous]

As with all losses, time is the only cure. I get it. We had a large tree whose foliage swept over our backyard and all the way over our raised deck. It was fantasy-like. One year, the tree started to fail, and it had to be removed a couple years later. There was suddenly a big void that would never be replaced in my lifetime. So you just get used to it...

[Anonymous]

Think about how much less you’ll have to rake in the fall

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lean into the replacement. Research either fast-growing trees or the cost of buying a relatively mature tree instead of a tiny sapling.

I get it - we had to take down one in the front, and we actually can't replace it because of all the buried lines in the area (the tree really should never have been planted there). I'm sad, but I'm thinking about bushes and perennials.

No to the fast growing trees! That's how these awful Barlett Pear trees got so popular.

[Anonymous]

Ugh. Find a real problem, please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lean into the replacement. Research either fast-growing trees or the cost of buying a relatively mature tree instead of a tiny sapling.

I get it - we had to take down one in the front, and we actually can't replace it because of all the buried lines in the area (the tree really should never have been planted there). I'm sad, but I'm thinking about bushes and perennials.

No to the fast growing trees! That's how these awful Barlett Pear trees got so popular.

Agree with this.

PP I totally sympathize. We cut down a 40 year old pin oak several years ago that was dying in our front yard. We sadly joked afterwards that it killed our curb appeal.

Fast forward about 3 years after planting the replacement silver maple and it's just starting to look like a yard again, it feels like.

[Anonymous]

Get a nice fence and enjoy the space

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sadly, we recently had to remove our 70yo tree from our backyard, and I’m having the hardest time getting used to the sterile look of the yard. It provided a canopy of shade and green. Obviously we could plant a new tree, and we likely will in the fall, but it will be a tiny fraction of what we had. I realize this is sort of ridiculous, but any advice on getting used to this new normal? I’m so shocked by my sadness over this loss.

Ignore the others. I identify with what you say. It's okay to mourn the loss of something old, established and beautiful. You can't easily replace that tree.

I agree with the one poster who said to lean in to planning the new potential for that space.
And I love Sycamore trees, too. We planted one in our back 10 years ago and it is beautiful and gives great canopy.

[Anonymous]

Our neighbor had a number of trees removed. Their house looks bizarre to me, lol. I haven't gotten used to it yet. We both will get used to it pretty quickly, though, I am sure.