commander faschisto wrote:Can't wait to hear results from the range! What species of tree was that?...some tree saps can smell nasty...
It was what folks around these parts refer to as a "nuisance species". A Cottonwood. It dropped little pistachio looking buds, covered with nasty sap that acts like epoxy upon everything. Then it dropped woolly worm like stamens that clogged my gutters. Then it let loose with its seeds, which are akin to dandelion fluff that clogged HVAC compressors. It was the curse that kept on giving. When fall rolled around, first it dropped a healthy number of leaves, but then most trees do. However, as its last insult upon my mental health, it dropped these miserable little branches all over the place including my roof, which I no longer appreciate having to climb up on to get them off before they stain the shingles. Given it had grown to what most experts agree, is a dangerous height (90-100ft.) the risk of wind breakage of a large branch was high, despite it being in good health. We live on the 3rd highest hill in the county. Great view, gorgeous sunsets, but we get no quarter from strong winds. At least it kept the fluff to a minimum. More that I can say for my neighbors down the hill. So yeah, we've been talking about getting rid of it for 10 years or so. Thanks to our generous tax return this year, that is finally a reality. Still, it was here first. So, as a small tribute I had Andy the arborist save a slab for me. My wife referred to the cartoon permanently affixed to the refrigerator when she saw the slab and I guess she had a point:
![Image](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e9/cc/1f/e9cc1fd0625888ce58d5fbbff99136ef.jpg)
Sadly that's me. Even more sadly, that's my wife.
Hoot