I always hate to lose a big old tree but increasing the sun exposure sure can't hurt the garden. Hope you have a good gardening season this year. :-)

Dave.

To get rid of early and late season shade, I just took down 2 huge Black Locusts last week, and still have to remove a bunch more. I too hate to lose nice trees, but they will be replaced with something fruit-bearing, and lower-growing.

I have an incredibly beautiful huge oak tree in the front yard. I had 3 different arborists give opinions on the back yard tree, they all said the tree was dying (and with close neigbors, I was worried for their safety as well as my own in the event of a hurricane, and I am on the Gulf Coast. So my conscience is clear, it had to be done.

But now I'll have more tomato room and I'm happy about that.

Good luck with your tomatoes. We're trying to manage some trees here as well, and yes it's expensive and complicated to get them done by professionals. You sound like a good neighbor making sure a weak tree wouldn't cause damage.

I just got two very large (70') eucalyptus trees taken down next to my house and barn. I am sleeping well now! haha. I am as frugal as any senior...but it is important to get someone who is really good...when dropping trees next to a structure. Ed of Somis