Another Aspen Gone

We had to take down another dying aspen. There had been two standing next to the cottonwood, in front of the windows. Now both are gone.

Aspens don't do well in urban environments and although nurseries in town still sell them, almost no one is planting any. The two by the side of the house had been planted probably 20 years ago. One was taken down last year, and this one had to go this year.

As tall, skinny, misshapen trees, the aspens never provided shade, but they did offer some some structure next to the big cottonwood and some privacy and screening of the large window. 

Now it seems quite exposed and empty.

There is a tiny Japanese maple next to the cottonwood. I love it. The feathery leaves and elegant little shape are nice seen from inside the house. It will get bigger -- it's only a young sapling, but it looks so unbalanced paired with the massive cottonwood. 

The Japanese maple needs shelter and shade in this climate, which the cottonwood provides on one side, but the other side is too open now. It needs something where the aspen had been. It needs . . . 

    . . . another tree. 

Of course it does. So I am going tree shopping and will plant something in front of the red rain barrel and behind the mound of juniper to balance things out and screen the window.

I am never so happy as when I am planting new trees. This will be fun.