The Beast aka The Walnut Tree

This is the Beast. You may remember it from other an earlier post (click here) where it kicked out Lauren. This Walnut tree has grown out of control and we finally decided to take care of it. I wish we hadn't because it turned out to be WAY more expensive than we had thought, but we feared it would start to damage the roof of the house and the shop and it was tangled in the power lines. So when we left for Arizona, it looked like this:




When we returned home, it looked like this:
After we got back, it took me a few days to get adjusted to how bright it was now. I really hate this tree but it offers some wonderful shade and helps to keep that end of the house cooler during the hot summers. The kids also love to play in it. If it just didn't drop leaves, blossoms and nuts ALL year long, I'd be ok. Oh, and it emits a poisonous sap (to grass) through the roots apparently and it's hard for us to grow grass under it.

In other gardening news, my climbing rose bushes are finally starting to climb! They needs some love and attention right now, and some pruning, but I'm excited they finally know which way to grow! Up!