A tree that was..

Eight years ago, when we moved to this house, the red leaves on the medium sized Japanese maple tree was part of the allure. It grew around 2-3 feet taller over the years or at least, that is our perception.

Recently though the bark started splitting off and the top branches lost their ability to regenerate leaves come spring. We took pictures of this to a tree expert who said it is because of a beetle that affects the fresh tender shoots at the top of the tree and kills the tree. Apparently lots of trees in Cupertino are impacted by this. If we had sprayed this two years ago with some chemicals to kill the beetles, the tree had a chance. Now its days were numbered.  Took this picture as a farewell of sorts. You can see the top branches with no leaves. Incidentally, those branches are the favorite for all the birds including hummingbirds. Guess they were eating the beetles and we had no clue.

A few hundred dollars and a dump truck visit later, we are left with an open void. What is worse is that the neighbors tree seems to have a big section missing leaves as well. 

We walked though the daughter's school playground. They have huge 30 year old redwood or pine trees. More than half of them are leafless on the top. That is not good. Hope the city does something before they all fall or create a fire hazard in summer. 

There are only 5 trees left of the original 8 in the front yard now! 

It is sad to see a tree that takes decades to grow, get cut down in the span of a few hours. It is also intriguing to see a tiny beetle destroy a mighty tree! 

Hoping that more trees don't get affected. 

The Trees must be crazy!

It is not even mid February yet and the Magnolia got confused.. somehow it decided it was spring time and decided to bloom!

One of the reasons we fell in love with this house six years ago was this tree and its pretty flowers. It would be sad if the tree is losing its mind and this is a sign of this tree aging.

Took the camera out after almost three weeks and captured the flowers. Please god, please let this tree live on for a long time to come. It makes five people happy every April..or February!

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Happy Holidays

The kids have been insisting that our house have a Christmas tree. Considering that we don't have a doll display at home for the Navarathri Golu, told the kids that the tree is very similar to a golu and our ancestors who have banned us from doll displays will be equally angry for the tree display.

For now the kids have bought into that logic much like the rules of Quidditch..

Our cousins have a tree in their house (they also do Golu) and that means we celebrate with them every year.

We spent a quiet Christmas with the cousins and had the kids open gifts, watched a bunch of movies and all was quiet on the home front.

Took a few portraits of everyone at home (here are some samples) and the weekend is almost coming to a close.

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and are looking for a better and brighter 2011 !

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Thanks for blooming!

We have been in this house since last May! Had this tree in the front yard which had no leaves, no flowers, no fruits. Looked dry and barren. When I asked my neighbour, he said "I think it is a flowering tree! Do not know why it is not sprouting this year! Maybe the roots are damaged. Call an arborist."

I was actually in two minds to get rid of the tree since it was in the way of some construction work in the front yard.

Now all of a sudden, the tree is full of flowers.

For a full week there were only big white and purple flowers!! Now it has some leaves as well!

Here is the little one playing in front of the tree. She loves the flowers.

Glad I waited!!