Steven tried to use Google to identify the source of that headline quote. No joy.
One of the first steps in this remodeling adventure took place in May 2015, when Davey Trees trimmed back several large oak limbs that obstructed access to the house for dumpsters and construction supplies.
Today, Davey Trees is back to execute phase 2 of the tree projects at Emerald Hill.
We bought this house in part for the trees. They are mature, amazing. Today is the day to “cut away the curtains” and better frame the exterior of the house with light and air.
Here’s a photo essay.
In the back yard, Chris cuts low-hanging limbs off the oak tree at the rear corner of the existing garage — while Barry bends to pick up cuttings. We need to raise the canopy of this oak and cut it back from where the new third bay of the garage will soon be built.Atop the existing garage, Chris cuts back branches that touch the roof, passing them down to Bernard, who is also protecting the white cabinets just delivered by Central Texas Custom Cabinets.Chris begins cutting away the long limb that projects across the side of the second storey above the kitchen roof and adjacent to the master suite.Chris cuts. Bernard observes for safety. A chunk of oak limb falls to the ground. Barry later explains that one foot of oak limb that size weighs 50 pounds. It hits the stone of the kitchen deck with a thunk that is solid, substantial, concussing the rock deck.Chris cuts away a second, larger section of oak limb.Bernard, left, and Barry load everything into the chipper — which is loud and ravenous.The chipper produces a pile of mulch that will be used to help landscape around the house.Each of the large cuts to the oaks leaves a wound that must be sealed. Barry shows off the spray can of sealer fitted into a sleeve on a long pole, with pull cord — an assembly used to reach high into the trees to the wounds.From the ground, Bernard reaches up with the spray can on a pole to seal a wound on an oak that Chris just cut.At the front of the house, Chris trims suckers off a large oak limb.Barry, at right, takes a quick break to admire the view and his work from atop the roof. Chris, at left, is moving power tools into position for more cuts. Together, they have already cut away several small branches and dead wood that brushed against the roof in strong winds. This reduces the risk of potential damage to the house.Break time’s over. Back to trimming away branches and throwing the cuttings off the roof, to the ground.Shooting from inside the upstairs loft, Steven photographs Chris making some of the last cuts of the day to a long limb that reaches across the front of the house and into the yard next door — a limb that is too close for comfort to the exterior of Emerald Hill. Bernard works the belaying rope from below to ensure that the limb swings away from the house as it is cut, to do no damage.At the end of the day, almost all the low-hanging limbs and branches that reached to within mere feet of the house have been cut away, creating clearance between the trees and the house.
