Tree lust

Atlanta prides itself on the number, size and diversity of trees within the city limits. I’ve been cutting back and cutting down the overabundance of magnolia trees trying valiantly to take over the yard. Meanwhile I’ve had my eye on two trees that I wish I had instead*. The Crepe Myrtle, with its showy flowers, peeling, textured bark and beautiful fall colors (see above) and at least one of the many varieties of Japaense Maples, with their careful shapes, precise leaves and bright fall colors. Maybe if I can cut down a few more trees in the stealthy cover of darkness** I will actually have room to plant these beauties.

* I honestly don’t have anything against magnolias, well, expect for their giant, plastic like leaves and giant, wood like seed pods, that completely cover the yard in fall. I think cutting back to two magnolias in our yard should be sufficient, not the 5 plus that we have now.

** Our county has strict ordinances on how many, how big and what type of trees you may remove on your own property. This is a law that I actually think is a great idea, but aren’t laws made to be broken?