With our schematic landscape plans in hand (thanks to our fabulous landscape architect, Dave Walsh) we planted our first two trees this week -- almost a year to the day since we bought the house! The overall site plan includes formal and ornamental plantings in the front and side yards (which are east and south-facing), and a kitchen garden, lawn, patio, kids' play area, and shade garden in the back (which are west and north facing). We started by getting the old pine tree stump on the corner ground out, then Guy Shepard (a local arborist and friend) worked with Bruce to prune the Bradford Pear tree by the driveway. Guy also helped us select and locate our new trees: a Magnolia for the corner and a dogwood for the other side of the front porch. Already the yard looks more private and more welcoming at the same time. We had a bunch of neighbors over this morning, and everyone enjoyed sitting on the front porch in the sunshine while Bruce and Amelia mulched the trees- a lovely fall day!