My beloved dogwood tree died...

[LuckyCharms]

as I think I posted about previously. The landscapers who installed it 5 years ago neglected to remove the metal basket around the root ball, and the roots girdled around the basket and the tree died.

I can't seek recourse from the landscapers because they went out of business. Pissed me off...I loved that little tree. It took me a week to dig everything up and build this flower bed where the tree stood. That brown stuff around the ring is soil and grass seed. I'll do 2 more of these in my yard, and then try my hand at building a wall in the same manner. I'm a pretty good carpenter, but I'm completely unskilled in block work, so this little dinky project gave me a good appreciation of how difficult is is. Top row is adhered to bottom with masonry adhesive. I'm not sure what I will plant in these things yet.

[Glamrock]

1. That sucks man.

I know how you feel. I had a tree right out my front door that got a pest and killed it. It was beautiful. I loved that tree. I can't tell you what it was...except wood. It was a beautiful 50' wood tree. not like them ugly plastic or aluminum trees mind you. Now I gotta rent a boom lift to cut it down. Shoulda bought a condo.....

[LuckyCharms]

2. Be careful with that thing!

I'll be serious for once...I've been watching youtube videos about mistakes that are made when cutting trees down. Those things can kill you if you don't make the proper cuts..."barberchair effect", etc. Don't get hurt!

Sorry about your tree, I know how you feel because those wood ones are special.

[Glamrock]

3. Appreciate the concern.

Thats why I'll be renting a boom lift. Cut 3-4 foot pieces at time. no need to fell it all at once when you're lacking in experience....
I may be a drunken pothead, but I isn't stupid baby!

[Donkees]

4. You might still find small dogwoods sprouting up from any seed-pods squirrels might have planted

[Nac Mac Feegle]

5. I've used a bunch of those blocks

One of the mos timportant "tricks" is to make sure you bed them in sand when getting them level. It makes the installation last longer and look better.

[LuckyCharms]

6. Yes, they are in sand and dead level.