Tree problem and is there a way to do this without creating eyesores?
kimhaber1
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
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'Solve one design problem while creating another..'
Comments (25)... and I certainly can't argue with either of you. Perhaps not well stated enough to make it apparent, but I have been in agreement all along. The reason I even broached this subject matter is a mirror of Pam's comment: "But the designer and educator in me will continue to try and broaden the way these posters look at their property and expand their approach in creating their own landscape to address those issues they by intent or ignorance (and I don't mean that in any sort of derogatory manner) choose to ignore..." Perhaps I am rooted in a paradigm far removed from normal. As a young boy on the farm, I was constantly being regaled with admonitions to consider the down line consequences of your actions. It was especially driven home by my father to give consideration to placement of things like building siting and fenestration. At an early age it was pointed out to me which direction the prevailing wind (especially winter wind) blew and to give it a prime consideration. Shingles and siding were to be lapped so that they would not catch this wind. Building openings were placed to minimize the impact of weather. Trees were planted in locations to take maximum advantage of summer shade, yet not create snow drifting problems and/or provide shelter from blizzard winds. Even the corn rows were planted in certain directions to minimize wind damage. In many ways, my father taught me early-on to avoid the classic, old conundrum of painting oneself into a corner. One of the potential benefits of this forum is that a few people will hopefully begin considering a few things beyond a shiny-new, brass kick plate on the front door of the home they are considering for purchase. My hope is also that a few more folks start to realize that it is their money on the line and that entitles them to be more demanding. For the most part (at least within reason), the builders don't really care (and it costs no more) where you decide to place things as long as they know about it beforehand. However, if you totally abdicate all decisions to them; well ... I guess they show about as much concern as you do. Unfortunately, you are the one who gets to pay for their dumb decisions! Landscape design involves more than flowers. As but one minor example: The placement of my garage was crucial in my planning stage; long before any dirt was turned. Firstly, I was adamant that I was not going to live in a home that said, "Welcome to my garage!" It quickly became apparent that was going to require me to purchase a corner lot; and there are not a lot of those. Secondly, I was adamant that my garage was going to be on the north and west side of the home to blunt the prevailing winter wind in order to conserve heating requirements of the home. Along the same energy conservation theme, I moved the setback of the home 4-feet to the south; which correspondingly made the garage stick out 4-feet to the north. This gave me a protected 4-foot nook to not only conceal my A/C unit but also create an area that was always in full shade; which bolsters cooling efficiency. I also made the garage 6-feet deeper than standard (very cheap to do at this stage) in order to accommodate an additional stairwell that went directly into the basement. Another change that I made from the conventional garage plan was to move the garage service door to the rear. This accommodated direct entry onto the rear patio for things like barbeque grills; which could now be conveniently stored out of sight in the garage. As a side benefit to moving the service door to the rear, it forces people to enter my home from the front doorway entrance; the way that I designed the home to be entered. I chose to be involved in all of these decisions. Invariably, most of these choices cost no additional funds. In fact, in many cases it saved me money. The largest investment was time spent in thought. However, the real benefit is that these active choices made my home (not just house) so much more livable. As Laag has repeatedly maintained, "Most problems are to do with elevation and grading." Even with all of the pre-planning, I was unexpectedly forced to deal with a cheapo-contractor that quickly slapped up what he called, "a luxury spec-house". He realized that digging a shallow hole for a basement costs less than a full depth hole. This placed that house a full two feet higher than any other home in the development. No problem! The eventual first-time home buyers never even noticed because they were concentrating on the shiny-new, brass kick plate on the front door. However, this forced me to adjust the previously intended grade levels of my garage floor, house foundation, basement egress window well and eventual patio. Grrrr... Anyway, I am just throwing a few of these real-life considerations out there for novices to see. There is no sense in making everyone "test the electric fence". IronBelly...See MoreI think I created a problem
Comments (6)Hi Mike!!! I would love to see your Gardenia!!! I'm sure it is doing well for you.. As is all of your trees!! ;-) Hugs right back!!! Been a busy summer already... How is yours? Need to catch up!!! Xo Laura...See Morefeeding birds has created a tree damage problem
Comments (7)Thank you for responding, it's been a heavy hearted day. I did take some pics, then I got some waterproof foil tape and wrapped it loosely around the trunk, only adhering the tape back onto itself (so no adhesive on trunk.) We also cut up some holographic poster board into strips and hung strips around the tree...that's supposed to scare the birds off. I took down the feeders completely, with a very heavy heart and will put them back up in a few days....on another area of the property. Unfortunately, I also have another new tree in the backyard which also has lichen growing on it, so I don't want to put those feeders near there. The feeders won't be anywhere in my viewing area, which is a big bummer for me. We couldn't get the reflective tape or holographic strips and into the upper 3rd of the tree and we saw a woodpecker land...however, the bird left soon thereafter, since there was no food around. At the same time, we saw a male and female Baltimore Oriole land on the tree and I just about swooned...we have not seen them before! I do think I could get some orange out for them and the woodpeckers would not be interested, right?...See MoreTruth or Consquences: Ways I create a loyalty bind for my child
Comments (19)My interpretation of #7 is not necessarily asking 'how was your week(end)?' but more digging for information, like 'what do you do all day?' or 'is your dad dating anyone right now?' or more personal questions about their lifestyle & things. We all want to show an interest in what our kids do, but digging for information goes beyond that. and inviting the other parent in. I guess it depends on the history, but if you move to a new house and the child wants to show mommy or daddy their new room, what harm would it be? It doesn't mean you have to invite them in every week or to stay & visit. When SD wanted to show her room to her mom, I wasn't thrilled with having her in my home, but it was five minutes and she left. and of course, she invited us into her house when she moved because DH wanted to know where SD was staying. It was how he found out that BM was living in a one bedroom loft instead of the six bedroom house she previously claimed. When DH told her SD shouldn't be sleeping on the floor, she finally set up a bed for her in an office. I don't think it's unreasonable to check out where your child is living/sleeping. and there are always going to be things that we don't want to risk never seeing again. SD took all her video games to her mom's house. Then when she wanted to play with them, she got upset because they got lost over there and she didn't have any at our house to play with anymore. DH explained that she's free to take things but it's her responsibility to bring them back or deal with the natural consequence of not having them anymore, (and of course reminded her that if she doesn't want things to get lost, don't take them) but the choice is hers and she thinks more about what she takes and won't take anything she values a lot. (I did purchase her inexpensive clothes & shoes that are her 'weekend' clothes because she can't afford to lose school clothes there.) And part of that problem has also been resolved by not giving SD things we don't want her to take. We buy things that she can use here but they are not 'her' property, they belong to us and she gets to use them. Birthday & Christmas gifts are 'hers'....See MoreChristopher CNC
3 years agokimhaber1
3 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoSherry8aNorthAL
3 years agokimhaber1
3 years agocyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
3 years agowhaas_5a
3 years agokimhaber1
3 years agoChristopher CNC
3 years ago
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