Front-yard startlement

T called me this afternoon and said, “Did you know we have a big pecan branch down in the front yard?”  I didn’t, and she told me that a branch system had broken and the end of it was lying in the front yard, blocking the walk.  When I came home I found that the very very long branch on the Mahan had gotten too heavy for its length and come down.  Only then did I realize what I’d heard go CRUNCH last night while I was at the computer.

I’m annoyed with myself.  I’d been looking at that branch for some time and thinking, “You know, I ought to trim that back ’cos it’s getting too long.”  Well, I didn’t and now I have a Mess and a damaged tree to deal with.  I went out and pecked at it a bit with my billhook/branch saw, but soon realized that clearing it was WAY beyond what I could do, so I’ll have to hire someone.  I found a couple of recommendations on the Hyde Park listserv for people who could clear the branch and trim back the damage.  Tomorrow I gotta get on the phone and see who’s available and not hideously expensive.  (Piet was the hideously expensive item for the day; a repair job that turned into a Megillah ran the final bill up to $741!  I am so glad to have a garage owner who’s willing to work with me and let me pay it out.)