The yews look like 'facer' plants - they are there to hide the foundation/concrete behind them. If you do replace them, I'd use another evergreen - boxwood maybe - to disguise the concrete wall behind it. I'd start by researching the cultivar of the yews and the ultimate size they will grow. You may just want to be patient, let them grow in a bit, and trim them into a flat formal hedge. They do look very healthy and happy in their current location. I'd let them grow just high enough to disguise the concrete wall. I'd plant a row of the same type variegated hostas to keep with the formality, but I'm partial to formal landscaping myself, and this is how I have mine. I would add only a subtle curve to the border past the gutter to join it with a planting bed behind that along that white fence. Upright boxwood, Green Mountain, would look spectacular flanking that staircase, or you could go with some large urns on a pedestal, or Tanyosho Pine would look great as well - one on each side of the staircase next to the bottom stair - a nice lighter green contrast against the darker yews. I too would plant an ornamental tree or tall shrub in the corner by the gutter on the left hand side of your house. A red japanese maple, Emperor I, is a nice variety, and would add nice color to your landscape amongst all that green. Along that fence, I would plant peonies or annabelle hydrangea, or any other waist high perennial to give some height and continuity to the yews that run along the house. A tall piece of statuary on the right hand side, right where that rake is, and highlight the tree and statuary with uplighting, that would look fantastic. And then I would paint the body of the house grey. LOL. My childhood home was similar to yours in architecture, but it was grey, white and black, so I always wanted another grey, white and black house.

I don't like the sound of that. It must go if it is a tree. I knew it wasn't a from a nearby tree, so I will blame the birds for this one. I was hoping for some type of small native bush or something. Oh, well. Thanks for the ID.

If you move now, you would lose $60k immediately and the future growth potential of your current house. It will take 50 months for you to recoup the loss if you indeed could save $1200/month (assume you will save the amount instead of just spend it on vacation...etc.). In other words, at the 33rd month, you will be in a smaller house, using the alimony you do not have to pay to recoup the loss sooner. If you stay, you have the choice of using the equity on the house for any short term needs. At the 33rd month, all the amount for alimony will be available for you. Being an education-fanatic, I am struggling over your tuition savings. In MHO, it should not be the problem all for you to face, the mother should have to share it too.

maackia(Zone 4): If you are really putting this up to a vote, my vote is to keep it. But then, I prefer the "wooded look" to the "formal" look. I go for the majesty of a big old tree rather then something exotic with perfect form. If you decide to take it down later, you can always do it later. Only reason I can see to do otherwise is of you need to clear the space to plant a replacement, or if the tree looks much worse in person. davidrt28 (zone 7): Didn't notice your question. White pine look amazing in the woods up here. I've seen great looking rows of old white pine along the property lines of old farms and parks. Young white pine look great in suburbs. Old ones in suburbs can be problematic. In the woods they kind of screen each other from the wind, and no one much cares if they drop branches. In the open they are more vulnerable to wind, and people freak out if a tree near the house drops branches. A white pine grown in the open can go through an "ugly duckling" phase while they decide whether they really need to lose those lower branches (as they would in the woods) when they have all that light. The transition from the perfect Christmas tree to the majestic limbed up forest giant can look homely if you have to see it out your kitchen window every day. Also they are just too big for most suburban lots.