A Need for Trees

We built our home, called HighTree, in the middle of three lots in the midst of some large pine trees and juniper bushes.  We had no grass because the pine needles snuffed that out--for which we were happy. We had no lawn and no weekly date with a lawn mower, which we did not own. 

tall trees and no grass

house is on the right--in the trees

the house on the sand in the trees--no grass.

Then came the Eagle Harbor Water Project in 2010--

and everything changed.

Because the water line would be coming down the road on our side,

many of our large trees had to be "plucked out" and the juniper removed.

Once the pipe was laid and covered up, all that remained was a 

very large area that looked like a beach with no water.

 Yes, our yard is totally SAND--no soil, no rocks and no GRASS.

I see the beach, but where is the water?

lots of sand minus big trees and juniper in front

Part of the project called for returning the owner's property to

pre-project condition.  (Not sure where that happened!!)

We were away for most of the summer of 2010, and when we returned,

we discovered grass had been planted along the entire edge of our yard.

We did not want grass so we "shaved off what we could and 

Michael dug out an area for parking. 

Then we scoured the road side for pine needles

that we used to cover the parking area.  

Michael also reinstalled our walkway that had 

been left in a pile.

pine needle parking area

So now we had our walkway and parking, but 

we still needed TREES!!

Thank you to the Soil Conservation District, we were able to purchase

100 red pine seedlings.

We planted them yesterday.  

a few of the 100 seedlings

10 planted, 90 to go

digging

We also planted a rosa rugosa hedge in the back yard.

rosa rugosa
does not look like much--but i have a vision (and hope!!)

in case someone mistakes them for grass

Hope the deer will not eat everything.  

They did manage to eat whatever juniper remained after the Water Project.

I hope to report progress in the months ahead!