When it comes to our family, I am the head gardener. Since Mr. Red House is not much of an outdoor person and is actually allergic to a fair number of plants/trees/grasses, etc., I pretty much have free rein in the yard. While Mr. Red House always appreciates the gardening I do, he doesn't usually have many opinions about the yard...
except when it comes to TREES.
 |
| a pine tree seedling in our backyard |
Mr. Red House has never met a tree he didn't like. If we ended up planting all the trees he wanted, I would have nothing but a shady woodland garden, and all of the trees would soon end up crowding out the house! The only critique Mr. Red House has ever made of my garden is to point out where another tree might fit.
He also doesn't like to cut down any trees - he's even dubious about me pruning.
But this Christmas I wanted to cut some pine boughs to make a fresh wreath for the door. And with all the many pine seedlings we had in our yard, I was determined to cut some of them for their lush, densely-packed branches.
Mr. Red House was not happy.
 |
| young pine trees in our yard |
We have lots of small pines in our woods, but Mr. Red House wanted all of them, no matter how tiny. I wanted my wreath. The battle was on!
 |
| more young pine trees in our yard |
He wiled, he pleaded. At one point he even connived the kids into standing in front of the targeted seedlings, using them as living barricades against my pruner and hampering my efforts..
...but I emerged victorious! The pine branches made a beautiful wreath, don't you think?
Sorry, Mr. Red House, I think I'm going to have to cut fresh pine branches every Christmas!
*Mr. Red House regrets to inform you that several young pine trees were hurt in the making of this blog.*
