Tree Removal

​Well today is the day. 
It is sort of bitter/sweet.  The huge tree we have in our yard is coming down.  The team is due to start work at about 7am.  We have done what we could in preparation by removing things out of the way.  I am sure there will be other things they will move.  I will be glad when it is all over. 
We are getting the stump ground out so there will be no evidence there was a tree ever there.  Once that is done we have plans to make the area nice.  We have ordered a big umbrella and intend making it a sitting area.  The tree did provide a huge amount of shade, and we will have some but not nearly as much.
It is bitter/sweet because we loved that tree.  It provided sanctuary to all sorts of critters.  The birds love to perch in it.  We are thinking where there is a will there is a way.  We feed the birds and they will still come we are sure, but will have less places to perch.
A possum and its babies also like to use the tree.  It is interesting how the day shift gives way to the night shift.  The possum sleeps during the day and comes out at night.  We made it a home in another tree where it can sleep during the day.  It used to use our roll up garage but every time we opened it, we would hear a scream.  That was when we discovered a possum was living in it.  I could not blame it for screaming as it was obviously sound asleep until its world was turned upside down and it was unceremoniously dumped from the top to the bottom.  The dumping would be repeated until the door was opened.
Anyway, the tree will be the last here (we have planted others less dangerous).  We have mementos of others we had to deal with.  One had been hit by lightning before we arrived, and fell exactly where our shed is now.
This one is last because we liked it the most.  The trouble came to a head in Alfred.  It was just too scary knowing it could fall and, depending which way it fell, do us or our neighbours a lot of damage.
I think one couple is pleased the tree is going.  It drops a lot of leaves on their side and they slept at the front of the house when they were concerned it might come crashing down in high winds.  Even during the last lot of wind, the tree lost some branches.
In the right place the tree would be magnificent.  In a thickly populated area it is dangerous. 
So the guys come soon.  A few weeks after it is gone it will be like it was never there.  That is going by others that had to go.  We will just have pictures to remember it by.