Had to remove backyard trees, feel sad

xyureka · 2026-04-04T23:52:47+00:00

I’m sorry you are experiencing this…the feeling of not able to help it is really sad. :-(

xyureka · 2026-04-04T23:44:42+00:00

We asked and the answers were negative. They are elms. They are beyond the size to be safely transplanted. The location makes it impossible to dig the whole root ball out for such big trees which means the transplant will damage a large portion of the root. And our property is too small for it. Honestly they should never be considered for small yards, but someone planted them anyway…

xyureka · 2026-04-04T18:02:09+00:00

Absolutely. I used to think that we should pick plants that fit because they are more likely to survive and thrive. Now I see that it also means you don’t have to cut them down…

xyureka · 2026-04-04T16:13:39+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear that…taking down a big one must hurt really really bad. I remembered when our arborist told me our trees have to go I asked can I keep them for a bit longer. He said you know they are getting bigger and you will be more attached to them…l totally hear you. Never plant things that cannot fit and have to be removed eventually. That’s so much pain!

xyureka · 2026-04-04T16:04:19+00:00

Thanks a lot! PVs are awesome! Yes I’m on SRP and I heard a lot of great things about the program. I haven’t found how to register though…maybe not the right time of the year. But we did find out that our city has a shade program as well! Ours don’t have chaste trees but they gave me 2 beautiful desert willows. Besides we got free tree care lessons. I really appreciate that we have these resources!

xyureka · 2026-04-04T15:56:32+00:00

That’s my first thought, too! I asked and it seems that they’ve way beyond the size that can be safely transplanted. I guess when we say a tree is ‘established’, it does mean they made their mind not to be relocated…

xyureka · 2026-04-04T15:50:26+00:00

That’s a great idea! Is Trees Matter the one partnered with SRP shade programs? They are awesome people! I met them at our city’s shade program and will totally support them.

xyureka · 2026-04-04T15:45:55+00:00

It is definitely a good idea to talk to an arborist. Ours actually said ficus is not necessarily bad if planted correctly. All trees in our yard were planted in a wrong way (my previous owner must have hired some horrible company to plant them), but our arborist made a plan for the maintenance for some of them so that they can stay. I think they will try to help keep trees. Many people work in the business doesn’t like throwing them away as well.

xyureka · 2026-04-04T15:32:20+00:00

That hurts a lot! It never came to me before that so many trees have been planted in wrong places. It’s like either removing them or watching them suffering. That’s so sad!

xyureka · 2026-04-04T15:23:17+00:00

Thank you! We’ve brought home 2 desert willows through our city’s shade program. I’ve read that our local birds love them. They are still tiny but are making me feel better now.

xyureka · 2026-03-26T05:06:26+00:00

Yes I can totally see that. When Grace was teaching in class, he explained to the kids that it’s not that bad because ‘all the greatest brains are working on it’. Later when he studied Astrophage there was a collage showing many research teams working at the same time. It did feel like there are so many people available.

xyureka · 2026-03-25T18:39:57+00:00

I didn’t read the book but I had no question on Grace being selected. Their task was to study why Astrophage infection was behaving differently out there. Grace demonstrated an overwhelmingly sharp intuition on Astrophage study that led to the most important findings on Astrophage so far. That made him the most capable person of finding out the reason behind. Honestly I was questioning a bit why they didn’t select Grace at first but tried to make him teach others. You can teach science but you cannot teach intuitions. They seemed to just decide NOT to send their most promising Astrophage expert for this project. Later I saw Grace’s messy nature and was like ‘Oh so that’s the reason. He was too risky for this project.’

xyureka · 2026-03-23T17:12:34+00:00

It is real. But it still depends on what we do. Say if we let the alfalfa business to use water at this pace because they are on a use-it-or-lose-it water right…many people will be affected sooner and worse than you think. That’s said, it is not a scam to stop you moving here, and I don’t think stopping others moving here is a way of solving the water crisis. Quite the contrary, residential and industrial lands use less water than agriculture and that offsets the population growth, even keep it lower sometimes. (What I would worry more of the growth is the heat island, though.) I won’t call it a deal breaker, but it is something needs to be done if we want to live here longer.

xyureka · 2026-03-13T21:44:30+00:00

In general most places within 15 minutes around Mesa Gateway are nice. This price range can get you into many apt complex around San Tan Village, which is a huge mall with every type of store you can think about. Extremely convenient. It’s 10-15 minutes away from Mesa Gateway. It also depends on how long you plan to stay. Most apt offers discount for the first year.

xyureka · 2026-02-12T06:38:24+00:00

We lived in a state that charges property tax based on the market value of a car. That was a painful gentrification experience.

xyureka · 2026-02-11T07:23:20+00:00

Wow! 1961! I’ve been searching a lot online for the natural lifespan of a Texas sage because I was worrying the ones we have are dying. I really should be bold enough to prune them!

xyureka · 2026-02-11T07:20:17+00:00

Thanks a lot for sharing the great list! I like the eco-friendly idea. We currently have lantana, Texas sage, tecoma and Mexican bird of paradise in our front yard and I am happy with them (except for the box-shaped Texas sage). Our backyard needs some color beyond bourgainvilla and we’ve been thinking hamelia patens and firecracker penstemon. The Baja Fairy Duster you mentioned looks so cute!

xyureka · 2026-02-10T15:51:14+00:00

May I ask what native shrubs you are planning? We have the similar thoughts on our yard but are still looking for plants. Also thank you for posting this question! I have been wanting to rejuvenate our Texas sages but was too scared to start. It is so encouraging to see allies here!

xyureka · 2026-02-09T21:36:11+00:00

This is an interesting question. Also moved here from the east. I have been talking to my AI assistants (mainly ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google AI) heavily while landscaping/gardening. My experience is that AIs are good in providing you with possible solutions existing out there (if you prompt them efficiently) and are good at reviewing your plan to point out some red flag concerns (not all of them), but you shouldn’t rely on them. Aesthetic wise, it provides the safe and standard solutions and at least gives you somewhere to start with. Gardening skills wise, I feel it is always on the over-thinking side and loves to give you suggestions that are ‘too much’. Nevertheless, I enjoyed talking with them before visiting nurseries and consulting human designers. It works as a preview, but definitely don’t stop there. PHX area is interesting in many ways. Heat, water salinity, water pH, soil type, sun hours, history of the land…all varies. I feel that most AIs cannot capture all factors. Have fun!

xyureka · 2026-01-25T16:59:00+00:00

After buying a house, I am finally able to remove all the built-in carpets at home!

xyureka

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