re: Watching the tree canopy in my neighborhood slowly disappear.

Planting some live oaks this year at our new place. Put them on the south and west of your house but far enough away to not bother you. You’ll thank me later. Waaaay later.

Sadly, we are losing a lot of spiritual and worldly benefits as both the culture and environment changes. There is nobody on this Forum that loves trees more than me, but as I ponder how I will deal with a massive Water Oak that was victim to last year’s drought, I can’t say I won’t be glad it’s gone given the storm dangers therein. But I won’t be strapping on the gear and climbing it for removal like back when. Dogwoods and Crab Apples are but two of the more aesthetically beautiful species that we have lost since I walked the towering forest in my youth. Sometimes I fear that as we proceed into a ‘world’ of our own creation, we may lose the blessings of Nature and Nature’s Creator ( God). I poignantly lament this, and feel bad for those may end up dwelling in vapid boxes with only a faux reality to replace th spiritual bond to Nature that has been lost. That movie “The Matrix” comes to mind. “There is a time for ALL things”. So be it. May the Holy Spirit of Truth comfort them who seek such.

We live in the woods on purpose. Love trees. Have a few neighbors that clear cut their lots and I don't like that -if you wanted clear cut, they have plenty of developments twenty minutes away with zero trees.

it is a LOT of work to pick up after all the trees out here. I get on a conference call, put in my ear buds, and walk around picking up limbs.

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Some of the most powerful spiritual experiences in my life has been in the top of a tree, O.

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I share the same sentiment but I can’t just wait around for the vert, so I seek the mountains. I’ve stolen 23 days this season on top of 8 different mountains in the US and Canada. I also sport climb.

Hope to catch up to you in the sky.

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I have a friend who recently had a large tree fall on his house, just missing his wife

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Yeah, it’s nuts to plant a water oak next to your house, but a Live Oak is not going to fall on your house. I know some enterprising poster can find a picture or three but it’s very rare.

Trees make a neighborhood beautiful - especially large trees.

A little shade is magical during them dog days. Even if they don’t provide direct shade on a house, trees around you make it seem much cooler.

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There's many new neighborhoods being built, and the HOA bylaws specifically prohibit planting of trees. 

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They're probably the same people who think the globe is warming because of your SUV, and not deforestation of any sort.

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Most people now are strangely out of touch with the natural world.

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Is it "strange" though? I'm as guilty as anyone, but I have very little doubt we're changing as humans due to our new digital leashes. Worse so for younger people who were born into the internet age.

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My mother in law just had to have two trees removed from her house she built in the early 70s. They planted the trees originally. She doesn't want new ones to replace them. I am not sure why.

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Because they’re a royal PITA.

that said, we still enjoy our 100+ year old trees. Labor of love. I do understand why some cut them down, but it is unfortunate that people don’t seem to value them. You (or the next person) can’t just replace it. It takes a generation at a minimum.

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branch daggers in roof.

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The fix is to have your trees trimmed/pruned yearly. Also there are ties that can be put in place between large limbs to keep them all structurally tied together and even stronger. And limbs hanging close to the house should be inspected often. I have two large magnolias in my front yard that I constantly keep an eye on and trim as needed.