New Tree!

So on my birthday, Eric and I made the rounds of a few local garden centers. We had been wanting a tree since we got married, and had been watching prices, sizes, and types. We had our eye on a few at Lowes and Home Depot, because the prices were right, but the trees we looked at there were scrawny and fragile looking. When we were at Eckerts, the same place we go apple picking at, we got to talking to one of the nurserymen there, and he told us the highlights and facts about this tree next to Eric, and we were "sold". In 30 years it will stand 50 ft tall, with a 30 ft canopy, and in the fall it will be a brilliant scarlet color!
This particular tree we bought was a slightly older tree, about 7-8 years old, and we paid a bit more for it, but it was exactly what we wanted.


We set it up so that it would be delivered today, and last Thursday I called the utility line phone number so that the proper authorities would come out and mark where all the underground lines were buried, so we could safely dig.

Eric started digging yesterday afternoon, between cloudbursts from the tropical depression we were under. He fortunately got it done before the heavens opened up and drenched the hole but good. Midnight found that hole this morning by accident, and was quite surprised by it--he clambered out quickly, and we were glad the water in it was minimal...

Just a quick view of the heavens as the storms rolled in on us... It was beautiful to see!

Today the tree arrived on a big truck, around 2 p.m. It took two men to roll it off and get it on the dolly, then they rolled it into the back yard.

Eric needed to widen the hole just slightly, then it took less than 3 minutes to get it level. The guys reviewed care instructions with us, then left us to finish planting it...

Eric got some of the removed earth returned to the hole so that the tree would be stabilized, and we were told we wouldn't need to worry about staking it at all because of it's size and shape.

We gave it a good watering, all the while listening to thunder rolling in the distance, and stood in the small amount of shade it is already providing, quite happy with our new addition to the yard!

This is my view of the tree from my kitchen window. Once it has settled some, I will add my hummingbird feeder to it, and will be able to enjoy the view of our beautiful new tree!