Yes, definitely try to get the chain removed or adjusted. The tree might possibly be able to grow around the chain, but, the chances of it dying, instead, are much greater in my opinion, if nothing is done. Even if the tree were about to grow around the tree, the tree would be weakened at that point and still much more likely to fail at that point. Also, I agree with others above that no further treatment is needed. I know, first hand, about the decision of how/when/if to approach a neighbor about such a situation. If it's a neighbor I see frequently, I would usually just mention it casually and hope they take the clue. In your case, and if the tree has the possibility to fall on your property/house if it falls, I'd probably feel more empowered to suggest that something be done. Preventing your house from being squashed definitely is not overreaction.

Hello! We have a border!! Where the pines once stood, there are now 9 rhododendrons ranging from 15 tall down to about 6.5 some staggered and finishing in a gentle curve embracing the house. All were planted about 5 ft. away from the pine line. What a story. About three weeks ago, a fellow from the CT chapter of the American Rhododendron Society sent me an email and recommended I contact Carol Yee in Ashford, CT. She is a rhody propagator by trade (soon retiring) but she runs a little business on her property called Carols Collectibles. (website is: http:/www.carolscollectibles.com ) Long story made short, I visited with her for several hours one Friday and finally I told her what I really wanted was all the mature rhody maximums that were growing next to one of her hoop houses. She said she was thinking of removing them to gain more sunlight for the hoop house and within a minute we had a deal. Sold all 6 of them. They are similar in variety to the maximums I had on the corner. I had brought a bracket of leaves from my rhodys so she could compare them. A very close match. Blooms are that pinky/lilac colorummspoken like a true expert. On Monday morning, March 31st, one landscaper arrived in the rain and hand dug my 3 tall rhodys on the corner. One was in place by afternoon. Boy, those guys really had to wrestle with the top heavy plants in gusty winds. The 80 border where the pines once lived had been cleared of debris and many roots. Tuesday morning at 6:45a.m., 18 yards of new soil arrived. At 8 a.m., another landscaper with a trailer and 3 men, followed me to Ashford to dig up Carols rhodys. It took 2 hours to hand dig them, tarp them up (home made B&B), load them and secure them for the trip. Winds were up to 40mph and it was raining. By 3:30p.m on Tuesday, the first landscaper had the 15 tall plants from the corner lined up on the new border, planted and completely staked (triangular form) and the six new rhodys from Carols were in place and staked. They were only out of the ground for 6 hours. It was still raining. Two hundred feet of soaker hose was set up the next morning and the stretch of 9 rhodys was completely covered with pine mulch. In one 24 hour period we went from nothing to everything. The area outside the sculptured bed I seeded with grass yesterday, as well as the front lawn that went wonky through the winter and tree work. Going into the backyard there is a hole already dug to take a flowering crabapple, malus "prairifire". It will reach about 20 high and wide and has persistent smaller than usual fruit into winter. Cedar waxwings love them, so Ive read, and I based the tree selection on its bright maroon blooming buds that supposedly mature into "hot mama" dark pink. Under that tree will be another island of smaller-growing rhodys that like some dappled shade. It was incredible luck to find Carols Collectibles and be able to come home with a border. She has a truly interesting place that literally she runs by herself and her dog, Little Bit, and a chicken named Peeps. Gosh, she has so many interesting plants and shrubs. This place is worth the ride, but call first to make sure shes there. Should be gorgeous when her hundreds of rhodys bloom. Many are field grown. Ive ordered Beddleia davidii "peacock" (small English var. of butterfly bush), Daphne tangutica, Deutzia gracilis, Strawberry Fields, and a few other things to help out with smaller garden areas. In back of the deck where I swore I would never plant another thing, the bed has now been expanded by 10 in length and 3 in width. Beginning to feel like I should attend a Gardners Anonymous meeting for my addiction. The newly transplanted rhodys are not showing any signs of stress after 3 days in their new home. Of course, its raining again. Fingers are crossed! Hoping for blooms, (and before and after pictures to pop into this message) Jane

Casey - the jambs and the stools are white pine. The bay stool was made out of one 4ft piece (center section) and one 8ft piece (sides) that I got from the lumberyard at the same time and stored in the same place, but there is a big difference in the way those 2 boards are taking stain, not to mention getting it close to the same brownish orange color as the 2-yr old jambs on those windows. Same stain, I stained the jambs only a few months ago but they seemed to turn brownish as soon as I put the conditioner on (as did most of the stools in the house - there were only a few that turned more yellow than orange and so I put gel on those, most only have a conditioner and clear satin poly on them). These 2 boards didn't turn brown at all, and one board used for 2 pieces didn't even turn very orange with conditioner. At least I got the sides to (if not match) "flow" into the center orangey part by putting 2 coats of Honey Maple on those this afternoon (only 1 on center section). Do you think a few weeks of sun might get it to turn more brown? Should I leave it out on top of my soaking tub in unfinished bathroom (under a window) and see? Or is it just going to turn more orange, so I have to do a thin coat of brown gel now? I was just shooting for honey pine, not pumpkin pine. Sorry I confused the issue - I don't mind the 6-panel doors, casings, and baseboards being radiata. I'll try to take pics in AM (the piece is in basement so not great light right now). Thanks

The pond does not appear to have shallow parts, but birds can use the stream leading to the waterfall. I had used the identical fiberglass product for a short while when I had my rock-and-water garden. It has a small shallow header pool/bowl with a gradual slope at the top end for small garden birds to wade in. Bigger garden birds just jump in to bathe. Also popular drinking spot not just for birds, but also for squirrels, bees, beetles, etc.