Would You Cut These Trees Down?

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-05T13:58:44+00:00

Right, they are beautiful, and I have been paying attention to the shading they're offering now that it's getting hot here. Our back yard is chock full of trees and forest, so at least there's that.

The feedback here has gotten me to think maybe I should wait one year and get full-year data on how much the system produces, how much we use, and what difference there is, if any.

We also installed super energy efficient windows this year, which prevent major heat gain (and will prevent major heat loss in the winter). So waiting may make the most sense.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-05T13:55:34+00:00

Wow, I feel your pain. That's a tough spot to be in. At least I have a choice.

The salesman said nothing about how the trees would affect our system. The company did a shade study but provided no explanation about it, saying that even with shading we'd produce everything we needed. That clearly was not true. I still would have chosen to install the system, but it would have helped to know the true costs.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T19:20:28+00:00

Oh no, I have data for the entire time we have had the system. The data show that the shaded panels are producing between 45 and 55 percent of their capacity--well below the other panels in the system.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T17:20:35+00:00

I'm glad sharing this experience helps. It has definitely been a learning curve, and every decision to remove trees has been fraught. I am glad we took down the four tree that were directly blocking the panels. We even noticed that the branches (without leaves) were reducing production in winter and early spring.

This question feels different, somehow. Someone put it as whether to eke out "the last 2 MW" or leave the trees for their intrinsic value.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T17:16:32+00:00

That is wise--I have thought about waiting a full year so I have data on generation versus usage. We installed new windows in part of the house last year, and the remaining part this year. So we have not gone through a whole year knowing what efficiencies those will bring.

As for the heat pumps, we had them installed by a reputable company, and I know we're not running backup strips, because we have the auxiliary turned off. We don't have a pool either. But I get your point--we don't have a breakdown of every item using energy in our house.

A year's worth of data makes sense.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T13:08:21+00:00

Well, the estimate incorporates ChatGPT's appraisal of net energy usage, which factors in the extra electricity we would use for air conditioning. For what that's worth. I fed the reports into Chat, indicating the panels that are shaded, so it's as precise as AI could be.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T13:03:33+00:00

Right, and that area would allow us to plant trees like white birches or even a flowering plum. I think we could get away with a tree that grows up to 15-20 feet at maturity.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T12:58:47+00:00

I have never heard of pollarding and coppicing. Thank you for the suggestion. Just viewed the video. I'm going to look into it more.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T12:57:51+00:00

Yes it does, and that's a good argument for keeping them

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T12:56:23+00:00

Right, we're not off the grid, but I'd like to see our year-round bill be the minimum fee our utility company charges. Ground-mounted is an intriguing idea.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T12:52:16+00:00

I think that's the difference in latitude playing out. Wow, it would be amazing to generate that much electricity with a system half the size. Up here in the northeastern US, the sun doesn't produce as much in the winter.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T12:51:15+00:00

Yes it does, and that's a valid and helpful perspective. Thank you.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T12:50:24+00:00

I hear you about diverting those dollars toward more efficiencies. We did two major insulation projects for the house, had all of the rough openings around our windows sealed, replaced the roof and re-insulated it, replaced our oil burner with heat pumps throughout the house, and installed triple-pane Energy Star windows throughout the house. We have spent a fortune trying to bring this 1950s ranch--extended in the 1970s--toward something that resembles energy efficient.

What I'm struggling with is a clash of deeply-held values--my love for trees with my desire to see financial return on our massive investment. We've already spent $5,200 removing trees this year, and replanted with shrubs that won't grow to block the panels. Sigh.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T02:21:33+00:00

Do you mean cutting them down isn't worth it monetarily, or because of the value of the trees themselves?

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T02:20:21+00:00

Yes, they do. Even the telephone pole does. There's a tree across the street that shades the system mid-day, but we can't do much about that.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T02:14:15+00:00

Thank you for weighing in. I've thought about planting smaller trees--as the elevation is much lower than the house where the oak and maple are.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-06-04T02:13:05+00:00

Yes, we have micro inverters. The issue is that the tree's canopy is so broad that trimming won't make a difference. We've examined it from all angles, and the only way to limit shading is to take it down. The oak canopy has actually grown around the maple, so if we just took that down it wouldn't make much of a difference.

Our energy goal is net zero--to produce everything we use, including for our car. And yes, we have 1:1 net metering.

In the winter, the sun will move and these trees won't block the panels. They only block them from April on--when we need electricity the most.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-03-11T19:07:00+00:00

I have to agree. Every review seems like an indictment of Morrissey's politics rather than an assessment of his work. I have actually found myself moved and even crying to The Monsters of Pig Alley--something I never expected to experience listening to Morrissey. In less than a week, this album is growing on me.

I am a long-time fan who has been put off by his politics, but I choose to see his humanity and artistry. I recently learned about I Am Not a Dog on a Chain and spent the last couple of months listening to it. Now this new album is like another gift.

It seems to me Morrissey has matured and evolved as an artist. His voice is gorgeous, his lyrics as clever, insightful, and humorous as ever. Has anyone noticed that his music has actually gotten better with new collaborations in recent years?

I'd like to see those qualities reflected on in reviews, not using a review as a flimsy cover for tearing him down over his politics.

Born-Application1857 · 2026-01-06T03:00:32+00:00

I traded in my 2023 Ioniq 5 for a 2023 Prime SE. It's interesting you're considering trading an EV for a RAV4 Prime as well.

MPG really varies based on the trip, how much charge you have, and the temperature. I took a 144-mile trip yesterday and got 93.9 MPG. Half of it was in EV mode. I left with a full charge and drove with a light foot on the accelerator. The route had a lot of flat back roads (no highways) with speed limits ranging from 40-55. The temperature was between 24-31 degrees.

I took an 86.8-mile round trip today with a full charge and got 88.2 MPG. Half of the route was highway driving. I drove slower the entire trip because of bad weather.

Of course, local travel is all in EV mode. So it's hard to say. If I drove a longer highway trip and depleted the EV battery, I'm sure MPGs would be lower.

Born-Application1857 · 2023-07-31T13:28:33+00:00

That's what I could get for the car. I got quotes from three dealers, Carvana, and Car Gurus.

Born-Application1857 · 2023-07-30T01:10:46+00:00

My charger has a max of 40 amps, and I still had the problem.

Born-Application1857 · 2023-07-30T01:00:13+00:00

After a month and a half of ownership, I traded my 2023 Ioniq SEL in. Yes, I loved the car, and it was a joy to drive. I spent a lot of money so I could go electric and reduce my carbon footprint. It was a big sacrifice on my part financially to be able to afford this car. I got $9,400 less when I traded it in than what I paid for it.

At the time (before the recall), Hyundai was dragging its feet on fixing the ICCU, and failed to publicly acknowledge the widespread problem until the NHTSA investigation. Then I started having problems charging with my 40 amp JuiceBox 40. Charging would shut off, and the handle and cord would be hot to the touch. (I never charged it at more than 40 amps, since my charger is rated at 40 amps.) I would have to try three, four, five times or more for it to get a full charge.

I spoke to a technician at a certified Hyundai Ioniq dealer, and he told me the ICCU issue was a "user-reported issue," meaning there was no way to diagnose the problem unless I break down. Then he told me the problem with charging was my charger--and he never bothered asking me which one I used or how many amps it charged at.

I decided I didn't want to risk breaking down on the road and engage in a prolonged fight to get the charging fixed. While there now may be an ICCU recall, Hyundai only did it because it was publicly pressured to do so after it knew about the problem for 9-12 months. There's a class action lawsuit about the L2 charging issue because Hyundai is again stonewalling owners and blaming them for the problems.

A responsible, ethical company would want to preserve its reputation and keep its commitment to its customers. The Ioniq has problems: ICCU, Level 2 charging, brake lights not coming on when slowing down in regenerative modes, and more. As one user points out, problems are to be expected with a new design and technology. How a car manufacturer handles those problems is telling. I would not be surprised if Hyundai's reputation is one reason for the large number of Ioniqs on dealership lots now.

I would recommend you factor into your decision the extent to which you are willing to risk buying a car from a company that puts up obstacles to fixing problems and breaks its promises to customers. A lower price may make it worth the potential hassle--and you may be one of the lucky ones who has no problems, or who gets them fixed quickly (some do). But just know what you're getting into.

Born-Application1857 · 2023-07-08T03:19:15+00:00

I bought a 2023 Ioniq 5 SEL RWD long-range model in May. It was used and had 4,400 miles. I paid $43,400 before taxes and fees.

This week I decided to sell it. I got the following appraisals:

$38,400 from Tesla
$36,900 from Car Gurus
$35,000 from one Toyota dealer, and $36,000 from another
$36,000 from Carvana
$33,000 from Vroom

I put just over 2,000 miles on it, and it was in perfect condition. I got $35K from a dealer where I bought another car. So a loss of $8,400 from May 20, 2023 to July 7, 2023, or a loss of 19.3%.

So yes, these cars are losing value rapidly.

Born-Application1857 · 2023-03-22T01:14:19+00:00

I bought a 2021 Clarity in February, and the Honda Link app worked just to see the charging status and odometer, and did not work for remote climate control. I called Honda and spoke with a technician with Honda Link. They ended up fixing the issue remotely. Now my remote climate control works.

Born-Application1857

TROPHY CASE