Good questions Geofore. It's surface moisture/Dew. I think in addition to the trees giving shade to this moisture, my clay soil prevents it from doing a very good job of draining downward. The septic works fine, it was inspected pretty well. (no, didn't dig up the leech field, but did what they do for a CHFA loan, which is pretty thorough). The water line from the street doesn't appear a problem. It's just that surface moisture creating the moss and fern growth. The morning Dew becomes the afternoon dew. Plants get that greyish color mildew from staying wet too long. Its already better with what I've taken out so far. The moss is losing it's grip and I've been able to use a grass rake to get some of it up. This could just be due to the drought conditions we've had the last few months though. Too early to tell. My intention is to get things into shape and bring in some top soil for certain areas of the yard. It's a somewhat lumpy yard and if I used a broadleaf weed killer on it I'd only have dirt left. I'm pruning low branches for a little more air when possible, but there are few low branches on these trees.
Trinity.. I am trying to be concious of the value of trees to the home as well. The three trees in front add value (so sayeth the inspector), but they are very close together and although it may not be clear in that photo, the one in the middle has suffered for it. I'm hoping by taking that one out, the other two can fill out a bit and be happier. I also have to deal with the roots of those front trees showing. I hope to get some soil in that front yard, bring it up a few inches, regrade to slope better away from the house, and perhaps put some kind of mulching or landscaping around the front trees to better retain the soil on those roots.
I should have taken "before" pictures, but I had so much work in that yard that it didn't occur to me. The previous owner was a true humanitarian and kept the house great, but did not maintain the yard at all. When we moved in I spent two weeks removing a VERY well constructed handicap ramp on the front, and about 300 cubic feet of mulching around it (and found two very large stumps hidden under it!). I then had to haul at least 6 cords of 8 year old cut wood that had been left in piles to rot. And the leaves. Oh my god the leaves. 6 inches deep in places, I think this was another major reason for the moisture in the yard. It rained only .3 inches in July.. but yet I was raking up wet sloppy mounds of leaves still. I blame this mess for the insane skeeter population as well.
I'll admit I'm just a homeowner.. and I want some trees down so that I can have a bigger yard. I have a 7 year old and a 2 yr old, and they like to play in the yard. I would like to have a well defined, nicely edged lawn with a consistent green grass. Some of the responses here have made me feel like a cattle rancher at a PETA meeting! Trees are coming down! Help me save the ones that I can. Should I save an oak that is leaning a great deal? How much leaning is ok? How about the ones covered in 20 feet of solid lichen and carrying more dead wood than live? Can I do something to save the great oak in front that is against my drop line? (and no, I can't put underground service in, and the connection to the house and the electrical box was just completely redone) On the east side of the house, if I'm removing more trees, pick a few that shouldn't go and tell me why. Tell me why I shouldn't cut down the oaks that are growing slanted in the direction of my house (nearly over my house for that matter)? Should I keep all three frontal trees and keep trimming the copius amount of dead wood? If I have two trees next to each other, a maple and an oak.. which should I consider the better tree to save (given similar health/size etc)?
