Trees, and what we think of them

Three Linden trees line our driveway; they are very attractive until, almost every year, they are attacked by Japanese beetles. These trees were planted before the beetles arrived in Iowa.

When we built our house in 1993 there was just one lonely pine tree near the site, and that was on land that belonged to our neighborhood association.

As soon as possible, I added several birch trees, and other types of trees: Linden, weeping mulberry, to name two. I love trees and I think they add to one's property value.

In fact, an Internet search shows mature trees on a nicely landscaped property might add 20 percent to the value of a home (hgtv.com). We have six birch trees, and they now are towering examples of a tree widely found in my native Minnesota; I have white birch, river birch, and a funny-looking red birch tree which grew up crookedly.

The way other people think of trees varies widely: They are beautiful, but the upkeep! The need to rake leaves this time of year!

One family member lives in town, next door to a towering maple tree with helicopter-like seeds that disperse in the spring. She hates that tree because it's nearly impossible to keep their backyard looking neat. (The tree's owner has agreed to have it removed next year.)

To be fair, I often write about troublesome Japanese beetles: These insects are a problem at our home in the summertime because of the three huge Linden trees that line the driveway.

Recently, a neighbor offered to trim one of my birch trees, because a large limb was in the space between two property lines. That was accomplished last week.

Hiring a professional to manage the liabilities of trees is suggested by the International Society of Arboriculture (treesaregood.org). Liabilities pointed out online include tree branches that might break off and damage homes or power wires.

The arborists argue that while this may be a real problem, it doesn't happen that often.

My husband is one of those who worries about how trees might crash into the house, during a storm. While I hear that, I really think that would be bad luck, and that's why we have insurance. I argue that the benefits of trees far outweigh possible problems.

That pine tree that was near our home site when we built 25 years ago? It's dying today. We planted a birch tree next to it several years ago, and that birch looks terrific.

Trees or not? What do you think?