I'm thinking it's dead.

The tree is in the back yard. It's always been something of a nuisance. We often cut it back when we first lived here. But, I let it go. Other than the leaves in the fall, it really didn't bother anyone.

I noticed dead leaves on it last fall but figured it was just that particular branch. It started to leaf out in the spring, but this is what it currently looks like. I don't know what kind of tree this is but I'm pretty sure this means the tree is dying. It's not near the house so that a high wind would snap anything off and send it crashing through the roof. I probably could, with some friends, actually take it down without involving a tree service, as it's not that big. I do have a Rubbermaid large yard storage container below it that we'd have to watch out for, but I'll bet we could take it down ourselves. I certainly don't have the money to pay someone to do it. There are a few branches with green leaves on them, but I suspect whatever is killing the tree will get to those eventually.

Yet dead trees are a haven for birds and provide insect eaters with an abundance of food. Maybe part of the tree could be taken down and the rest left? Or maybe the tree's having an "off" year and will be back in full bloom next year? It doesn't provide that much shade to the west side of the house so if I took it down, I wouldn't miss much. Options. Options.

Beverage: Scottish Blend tea

Deb